Local Government Reorganisation

Government review concludes: Oxfordshire and West Berkshire to get three new unitary councils

The government has announced the outcome of its review into local government reorganisation (LGR).

It has made a new minded-to decision to replace the seven existing councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with three new unitary councils.

Government has said it is minded-to proceed with decisions in five areas, including ours, but this will be open to further representation and views from council leaders and MPs for approximately three weeks. Following this, an update will be made to parliament on these decisions before Christmas.

The five areas are East-Sussex and Brighton and Hove, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

In Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, the three new councils will be:

• Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings.
• North Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts.
• Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, combined with West Berkshire.

The new councils are due to go live on 1 April 2029, with elections to the new shadow authorities taking place in May 2028.

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "The government's announcement today finally gives us a direction of travel after two months of needless uncertainty. Whatever people's views of the outcome, the real test will be ensuring these new councils reflect the needs and ambitions of the communities they serve.

"I want to reassure residents, businesses and communities that we are listening to their needs and that we will continue to deliver quality services throughout any period of change.

"I will continue to seek clarity from government and remain determined to hold the government to its promises, working with partners across the area to secure the strongest possible future for residents and businesses in the Vale, wherever they sit within the new council boundaries.

In September, the government put local government reorganisation on hold while it reviewed its proposals for new councils across England.

Elections for the new unitaries will take place in May 2028, after which shadow authorities will be created to plan the new councils, but will not deliver services.

On 1 April 2029, the seven existing councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire will end and the three new unitary councils will be created. Serving councillors’ terms of office will continue until the existing councils come to an end on vesting day.

The district and unitary council elections in South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire, Cherwell and West Berkshire will go ahead in May 2027 on the existing council boundaries.

Find out which new council will serve your community and what this means for your area: 3councils.org