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Oxfordshire County Council urges residents to support One Oxfordshire proposal
Oxfordshire County Council says One Oxfordshire offers the strongest option for local government reform, promising financial savings, streamlined services and clearer accountability ahead of a key consultation deadline.
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Oxfordshire local government shake-up risks being a “great distraction,” thinktank warns
A thinktank has warned that Oxfordshire’s proposed local government restructure risks becoming a “great distraction” if not done properly – shifting focus from pressing issues like affordable housing, transport, and public services, leaving local residents unsure of who is responsible for key decisions.
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Campaigners warn Oxford unitary council plan would swallow Green Belt
CPRE Oxfordshire has condemned plans for a new Oxford unitary council, warning expanded boundaries would fuel urban sprawl and damage the Green Belt. The city council says the proposal could deliver 40,000 new homes by 2040 to address housing need.
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Greater Oxford Council plan enters consultation phase across county
Oxford City Council has launched a public consultation on proposals to replace Oxfordshire’s six local councils with three, including a new Greater Oxford Council. The plan aims to simplify local governance, improve service delivery, and make councils more responsive.
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County Council continues to endorse One Council as best option for future
Oxfordshire County Council has reiterated its view that a single county unitary council should be the way forward for local government in the county when change happens in a few years’ time.
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Two new unitary councils proposed in Local government reform
Five councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire have joined forces to propose two new unitary authorities—Oxford and Shires Council and Ridgeway Council—as part of national plans to reform local government.
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Plans unveiled for Greater Oxford Council as local government faces major reform
Oxford City Council has unveiled proposals for a new Greater Oxford Council as part of a major local government shake-up, aiming to bring planning, transport and housing decisions closer to the communities they affect.
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Strategic authority debate: Super region plans spark debate in Thames Valley
Plans for a Thames Valley strategic authority covering Reading, Swindon, and Oxford have sparked both excitement and concern. The proposed body would oversee major housing, transport, and infrastructure projects, including a third Thames bridge and a rail link to Heathrow.
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Strategic authority debate: Could Reading, Swindon, and Oxfordshire unite?
Reading and Swindon could collaborate on major infrastructure projects under proposed local government reorganisation. The Labour government’s English Devolution White Paper suggests forming Strategic Authorities with at least 1.5 million people, potentially merging Berkshire with Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
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Oxfordshire councillor doesn’t want devolution partnership with Swindon
South Oxfordshire District Council leader David Rouane has opposed partnering with Swindon, arguing it aligns more with the West Country than the South East and lacks historical and economic connections to Oxfordshire.
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Oxfordshire leader responds to calls for clarity on mayoral authority geography
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council has responded to calls to confirm the council’s geographical preference for a mayoral strategic authority.
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Vale of White Horse leader urges county leader to clarify position on Strategic Authority
The leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council has asked the leader of Oxfordshire County Council to explain her council’s position on a preferred geography for a Mayoral Strategic Authority.
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South Oxfordshire leader advocates for strategic authority with Berkshire and Buckinghamshire
Councillor David Rouane, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, has argued that Oxfordshire should form a new Strategic Authority with Berkshire and Buckinghamshire rather than Swindon.
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County council responds to national proposals for the future of local government
Oxfordshire County Council has sent a letter to the government requesting fast-track local government reorganisation while pursuing a Mayoral Strategic Authority.
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Council leaders split on local government devolution fast-track at expense of elections
The government’s plans to reorganise local government have led to speculation that local elections due to be held this year could be cancelled.
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Council leaders to consider response to local government devolution plans
Leaders of Oxfordshire County Council and the county’s district councils are to meet to consider a response to local government devolution plans.
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County council to set out response to national proposals for future of local government
Following the publication of the Government’s devolution white paper on 16 December on the future of local government in England, the cabinet will be asked to agree a response.
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Debate heats up over future of Oxfordshire districts in local government restructuring
The government announced plans for a major restructuring of local government in last month’s devolution white paper, including plans to abolish district councils and introduce larger unitary authorities in areas that do not have them already.
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Mixed reactions from Oxfordshire councillors on proposed local government reforms
Local leaders are divided over the government’s proposal to abolish district councils and establish large mayoral combined authorities. While some see benefits in efficiency and accountability, others warn it could and harm rural representation.
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Oxford City Council Leader responds to Government’s devolution white paper
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, has welcomed the Government’s proposal to introduce mayoral combined authorities at the regional level across England.
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Government unveils plans for local mayors for every region of England
The government has unveiled its English Devolution White Paper, introducing new powers for mayors aimed at driving growth, accelerating housebuilding, and improving transport.
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Thirteen councils across the Thames Valley have submitted an expression of interest to government to create a mayoral strategic authority (MSA).
The proposed MSA, led by a directly elected mayor, would bring councils together to plan transport, infrastructure, and housing – including social housing – more effectively. Councils say it could boost jobs, support local businesses, and deliver faster, more inclusive growth.
The letter was signed by Councillor Mary Temperton (Bracknell Forest Council) and Councillor Liz Leffman (Oxfordshire County Council). Both leaders emphasised the opportunity to coordinate resources, take charge of major projects, and improve services for residents.
Discussions with government and councils will continue as detailed proposals are developed.
Councils involved: Bracknell Forest, Cherwell, Oxford City, Oxfordshire, Reading, Windsor & Maidenhead, Slough, South Oxfordshire, Swindon, Vale of White Horse, West Berkshire, West Oxfordshire, Wokingham.
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Representatives from councils in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Swindon met in Oxford on 31 January to discuss the government’s expectations for a possible future Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA).
The discussion highlighted the need to focus on health, growth and economic development and ensuring that any Strategic Authority provides the best possible outcome for all our residents, businesses and communities.
Further discussion and work will take place on the optimum size, scope and membership of a Strategic Authority.
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Oxfordshire County Council have agreed for £5 million in savings to be transferred to a new fund to cover the costs of devolution.
Cabinet members voted to support putting the money aside into a Local Government Reorganisation Fund, a new reserve for the costs associated with devolution, during their meeting on Tuesday, 22 January.
Part of the funds will be sourced from a £3.7 million one-off payment from the £7.4 million funding from the contingency budget. Another £1.3 million from the pay inflation budget will also be put into the devolution pot.
These plans form part of a budget planning report that is set to be agreed on at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 28 January, and will be voted on by all councillors at the full council meeting on Tuesday, 11 February.
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Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, addressed Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet to oppose the County Council’s devolution plans.
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The Government wants to create new mayors across regions of England, which would have devolved powers and money to coordinate housing, transport and economic growth.
It then wants to merge district and county councils within the mayoral regions to create ‘unitary authorities’ that would carry out the day-to-day work of existing councils.
Oxfordshire County Council has asked the Government to fast-track plans to merge Oxfordshire’s councils, which could see the county council elections in May cancelled.
Councillor Brown has stated that “The City Council believes the boundaries of the new Thames Valley mayoral authority should be decided before any of the councils within the Thames Valley are merged.
“We also think cancelling the County Council elections, with no realistic prospect of a successor authority being in place quickly, risks creating a democratic deficit.
“People across Oxfordshire have a right to vote on the current administration’s record.
“As the County Council ignored our views at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, we have written to the Government today to set them out.”
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Oxford City Council has written to the Government about its proposal for devolution and local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire.
The letter has been sent because Oxford City Council does not support Oxfordshire County Council’s request to cancel county council elections and to move forward with local government reorganisation ahead of agreeing the geography within which it would be operating as a Mayoral Combined Authority.
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, wrote to Jim McMahon MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, earlier today (10 January).
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Swindon Borough Council faces a pivotal decision on its potential inclusion in a devolution deal as part of the Government’s push for larger strategic authorities.
These authorities, with a population target of around 1.5 million, would receive extra powers and funding to address issues such as housing, transport, public health, and economic development.
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Two competing proposals have emerged:
- Heart of Wessex: Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Councils have already submitted a joint bid. Proponents argue Swindon’s existing collaboration with these rural counties in areas such as police, fire services, and health provides a strong foundation for partnership. Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer highlights the importance of Swindon’s economic contributions to the success of this bid.
- M4 Corridor: Swindon is also considering alignment with Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, looking east along the M4 Corridor. Swindon Council leader Jim Robbins and business leaders from the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce argue this option better reflects Swindon’s urban nature and strong economic ties with neighbouring towns and cities. Paul Britton, chief executive of the Thames Valley Chamber, and Les Durrant, president of the Swindon Chamber, emphasise that prioritising the Thames Valley would build on established industry and commerce links, boosting regional and national growth.
While Swindon has been in talks with both groups, Robbins has suggested that collaboration along the M4 corridor might better align with Swindon’s urban and economic profile than the largely rural Heart of Wessex.
The Government’s English Devolution White Paper clarifies that unitary authorities like Swindon would retain powers not devolved to the strategic authority, but two-tier systems like Oxfordshire’s may see lower-tier councils dissolved. Swindon is carefully reviewing its options, seeking a decision that maximises economic growth and best serves its residents and businesses.
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Have your say on the biggest local government shake-up in Oxfordshire for 50 years
Oxfordshire residents are being urged to take part in a government consultation that could fundamentally reshape how local services are delivered for decades to come. From a single countywide authority to three distinct councils, Oxfordshire faces a defining choice over how it is governed.
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Local government in Oxfordshire: Weighing the three unitary council proposals
With the central government encouraging streamlined structures as part of its wider devolution agenda, the key question now is not whether Oxfordshire should change, but how. Explore the three main proposals for reforming local government in Oxfordshire currently under serious discussion.
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Local government devolution proposals: What is it and what will it mean for Oxfordshire?
As the government moves forward with devolution plans, Oxfordshire residents and local leaders must understand what’s at stake and how these changes might reshape the way services are delivered and decisions are made.
