People across Oxfordshire are being urged to take part in a statutory government consultation that could fundamentally reshape how local government works in the county – and how key services are delivered – for decades to come.
The consultation, which launched on Thursday, 05 February, will run until 11:59pm on Thursday, 26 March, and represents the most significant reform of local government since 1974.
At its heart is a proposal to abolish Oxfordshire’s existing council structure and replace it with a new system of unitary authorities by 01 April 2028. What remains undecided is how many councils there should be – and where power should lie.
Three competing visions for Oxfordshire’s future
Residents are being asked to consider three distinct options:
- One unitary council for Oxfordshire – known as One Oxfordshire, creating a single countywide authority called Oxfordshire Council
- Two unitary councils – Oxford and Shires Council (created from the existing district councils of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire) and Ridgeway Council, created from the existing district councils of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse and the unitary council of West Berkshire.
- Three unitary councils – an expanded Greater Oxford Council, a Northern Oxfordshire Council and a Ridgeway Council (also including West Berkshire)
While Oxford City Council is backing the three-council (3Councils) model, arguing it offers the best balance between local representation and tailored services, Oxfordshire County Council is strongly advocating for the One Oxfordshire proposal, highlighting its simplicity, efficiency, and financial resilience.
Cherwell District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council support the two-council option, citing its balance between scale and local accountability as the most practical solution for residents and services.
One Oxfordshire: a single, countywide authority
Oxfordshire County Council supports a single unitary council as its preferred solution, arguing that it is the simplest, safest and most resilient option, bringing all council services under one roof and creating what it describes as stronger, fairer and more cost-effective local government.
Under the One Oxfordshire proposal, all existing district, city and county councils would be replaced by one authority serving more than 750,000 residents, delivering all services through a single organisation with one leadership team, one set of councillors and one “front door” for residents and businesses.
The County Council says the model would generate £63 million in annual savings, significantly more than other options, by reducing duplication, simplifying governance and streamlining estates and management structures. Those savings, it argues, could be reinvested directly into frontline services.
Protecting critical services
A central plank of the One Oxfordshire case is the protection of high-performing social care services, which currently account for the majority of local government spending in the county.
Oxfordshire County Council already delivers around 85% of local government services by expenditure, including adult and children’s social care, public health, education services, fire and rescue, highways and transport, libraries, museums, waste disposal and recycling.
Council leaders warn that splitting these services across multiple new authorities could introduce unnecessary risk and disruption – particularly where services are delivered in partnership with the NHS and other agencies.
They point to adult and children’s social care services, currently rated “good” by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, as examples of provision that should be protected rather than fragmented.
“A once-in-a-generation opportunity”
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said the consultation represents a rare chance to fundamentally improve how local government works.
“The government’s call for local government reform is both timely and necessary. One Oxfordshire offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a stronger, fairer and more ambitious future for the county.
“It is the only proposal that fully meets government criteria with the scale, efficiency and resilience to save the most money and withstand future financial shocks; the stability to protect and improve critical services; and the simplicity residents want.”
She added that a single council would provide Oxfordshire with a unified voice capable of driving long-term investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
“By bringing together all the levers of local government into a single, resilient authority, we can unlock the full potential of our people and places, drive innovation and deliver the high-quality services our communities deserve.”
Local democracy and identity
Supporters of One Oxfordshire also argue that a single council would strengthen, rather than weaken, local democracy. The proposal includes enhanced neighbourhood governance, stronger partnerships with town and parish councils, and the creation of new area committees to ensure decisions are made closer to communities.
Crucially, the County Council advocates that the model avoids redrawing or separating long-established county boundaries, ensuring residents, businesses, and institutions remain part of the Oxfordshire they recognise.
Two councils: a balance between scale and local accountability
A second option being consulted on would see Oxfordshire and West Berkshire reorganised into two new unitary councils, a model backed by five existing councils across the area, who say it offers the best balance between efficiency, resilience and local accountability.
Under the two-unitary proposal, the current county and district councils would be replaced by:
- Oxford and Shires Council, covering Oxford, Cherwell and West Oxfordshire
- Ridgeway Council, covering South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire
Supporters argue that this model avoids the perceived remoteness of a single countywide authority, while also addressing concerns that three smaller councils would lack long-term financial sustainability.
Backed by a cross-council consensus
In late 2025, a clear consensus emerged when five councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire formally supported the two-unitary model, urging the Government to adopt it as part of the national Local Government Reorganisation programme.
They argue that creating two modern, locally accountable councils would remove duplication, simplify decision-making and unlock significant efficiencies, while keeping councils close enough to communities to remain responsive to local needs.
The councils say the proposal directly reflects what residents, businesses and public-sector partners have called for: better highways, stronger social care, more effective planning, and councils that are easier to engage with.
Financial stability and service delivery
A key argument in favour of the two-council model is its financial case. Proponents estimate it could deliver annual savings of £59.8 million, offering strong value for money while carrying the lowest financial risk of all three options.
They argue that the two councils would be large enough to be efficient, stable and resilient in the face of future funding pressures, but not so large that decision-making becomes distant or disconnected from local communities.
Supporters also argue that the model would allow services to be redesigned across a sensible geography, combining the benefits of scale with local delivery where it works best.
Economic growth across urban and rural areas
Advocates of the two-unitary option say it is uniquely placed to support both urban and rural economies, driving sustainable growth across Oxford, market towns and countryside alike.
They argue the model would provide the strategic strength needed to deliver better transport, create jobs, and ensure the right homes are built in the right places, without over-concentrating growth or undermining local character.
Addressing concerns with other models
During earlier decision-making, councils supporting the two-unitary proposal raised concerns about the alternatives.
They argue that a single countywide council risks being too large and remote, potentially weakening local accountability and ambition. Additional concerns have been raised about whether county-wide services such as highways maintenance are financially sustainable at that scale, given recent budget pressures.
By contrast, they say the three-council proposal would create authorities that are not financially viable, fail to meet government criteria, and place unacceptable pressure on Oxford and the Green Belt, while lacking a credible long-term model for the north and south of the county.
Councillor David Hingley, Leader of Cherwell District Council, described the consultation as a defining moment:
“After carefully examining all three options, it is clear to me that the two-unitary model offers the best future for our communities. It delivers stronger services, long-term financial stability, real value for money, and the right balance between scale and local accountability.”
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said the proposal offered a positive and credible path forward:
“This is the most important consultation for the people of Oxfordshire in this generation. I would strongly urge people to give their views and take this opportunity to opt for change, better services and a better future.”
From the south of the county, Councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, highlighted the strength of existing services within the proposed Ridgeway Council:
“Together we can build, transform and develop even higher-performing service and infrastructure delivery for our communities.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, warned that the three-council model would be damaging:
“The three-unitary option would be devastating for Oxford, the Green Belt and the surrounding area. The proposal isn’t viable and doesn’t include a credible model for the north and south councils.”
Councillor Jeff Brooks, Leader of West Berkshire Council, added:
“The two-unitary option creates councils that are aligned to their communities, will deliver the sustainable growth we need and give us the platform to deliver better, more cost-effective services.”
A contrasting vision: three councils, more local control
Oxford City Council has thrown its weight behind the three-council option, known as 3Councils, arguing it offers the best balance between efficiency and local representation.
Council leaders say the proposal recognises the stark differences between Oxford’s dense, fast-growing urban environment and the rural towns and villages that make up much of the wider county.
“Blackbird Leys, Woodstock, Newbury and Henley-on-Thames are very different places, and they need different approaches,” said Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council.
“With 3Councils, local services would be better tailored to meet local needs, residents would have a stronger voice, and local businesses would have more focused support – whether that’s medical research in Oxford or farming in rural Oxfordshire.”
Housing at the heart of the debate
Housing is one of the most contentious issues underpinning the reorganisation. Oxford City Council argues that 3Councils is the only model that meaningfully addresses Oxfordshire’s housing crisis without placing disproportionate pressure on rural communities.
Under the proposal, around 40,000 new homes could be delivered within the Greater Oxford area by 2040, including 16,000 social and affordable homes. This would require the release of 2.6% of Oxford’s Green Belt, while aiming to protect villages and market towns elsewhere in the county from large-scale overdevelopment.
Supporters argue that this would allow people to live closer to their work, families and social networks, while giving Northern Oxfordshire and Ridgeway the freedom to focus on meeting their own local housing needs.
Economic growth and financial resilience
The economic case is another central plank of the 3Councils argument. Oxford’s economy is heavily driven by global research, education and health innovation, while the rest of Oxfordshire and West Berkshire supports a broader mix of manufacturing, motorsport, hospitality, agriculture and rural enterprise.
Separating urban Oxford from rural authorities, proponents say, would allow councils to target investment and business support more effectively. Economists commissioned to assess the proposals estimate that the three-council model could generate £170 billion for the UK economy by 2050 – around £43 billion more than the single-council option.
From a public finance perspective, replacing seven existing councils with three is expected to deliver annual savings of £47 million by year five, alongside increased council tax and business rate revenues driven by economic growth.
A stronger voice in a devolved future
Oxford City Council officials advocate that the reorganisation is also closely tied to the Government’s wider plans for devolution, with new strategic authorities expected to assume regional responsibilities for housing, transport and economic growth.
Under the 3Councils model, Greater Oxford, Northern Oxfordshire and Ridgeway would each have a seat at the table, ensuring their distinct priorities are represented alongside neighbouring areas such as Reading, Slough and Swindon.
What happens next
The Government’s consultation runs until 26 March 2026, giving residents seven weeks to make their views known. The outcome is expected in the spring, with a final decision on the structure of local government due in July 2026.
If approved, shadow councils would be elected in May 2027 to oversee the transition, including setting policies and managing staff transfers. The existing councils would be formally abolished on 01 April 2028, with the new unitary authorities taking over on the same day.
With competing visions offering very different futures for Oxfordshire, residents are being encouraged to take part and help shape what local government looks like for the next generation.
The post Have your say on the biggest local government shake-up in Oxfordshire for 50 years appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
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