Oxfordshire leaders divided as government presses ahead with council shake-up

County, district and city councils are set to be replaced by three new ‘unitary authorities’ by 2029, under the government’s new timetable for ‘reorganisation’ of local governance.

Unitaries hold powers and run services including transport, education, bins, social care and planning which are currently split between two levels of district and county.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, October 29, the local government minister Jim McMahon confirmed his intention to progress a plan creating three new councils – Greater Oxford, North Oxfordshire and Ridgeway, which includes West Berkshire.

This was proposed by the city council and initially approved in July, before a September ‘pause’ for review after a change in Prime Minister from Keir Starmer to Andy Burnham and mounting legal challenges.

Oxford leader, Susan Brown, described it as “the right proposal for Oxford, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire” and said it would “simplify local government for residents, keep decision-making local, and give Oxford the space to build new homes and create well-paid, secure jobs, while protecting important habitats across our Green Belt”.

County leader Tim Bearder, who supported a single Oxfordshire council to govern the county, disagrees and said he is considering “legal options”.

Oxfordshire County Council previously sent a legal letter to the government and issued a protective claim in court in relation to a potential judicial review of its local government reorganisation decision.

Mr Bearder said: “I’m deeply disappointed that the government is minded-to press ahead with splitting Oxfordshire into three unitary councils, despite the serious concerns we have raised about the impact on public services, costs and accountabilities.

“We are told that this is an entirely new decision and that our previous legal action no longer applies. Instead we are now being asked to make our case all over again before ministers take a final decision.

“That creates further uncertainty for our residents, colleagues and the future of vital local services. ”

Lib Dem district council leaders, who had previously supported a two-council plan for Oxfordshire and West Berks, also expressed “disappointment”, but unlike Mr Bearder they “welcome” the “clarity”.

Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, Maggie Filipova-Rivers said: “I remain disappointed that the Government has decided to proceed with a model that carves up South Oxfordshire, drawing rural villages into Greater Oxford despite their much stronger economic, social and geographical ties to our rural district.”

She added: “However, I welcome the fact that we finally have some clarity on the timetable for local government reform.

“The prolonged uncertainty has helped nobody.”

Ms Filipova-Rivers and other leaders explained that they will take time to make “representations and refine proposals” with government when it opens a three-week consultation period before Christmas.

Leader of Cherwell Lesley McLean called the decision a “missed opportunity”, but said, “our focus will now be on putting the new authorities in the best possible position to succeed from day one, while ensuring residents and local communities remain at the heart of every decision”.

Leader of Vale of White Horse Bethia Thomas 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.”

County Conservative leader and West Oxfordshire councillor Liam Walker is also looking to the future after the announcement.

He said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to reshape local government in Oxfordshire and give residents the chance to vote for a completely new council.

“The May 2028 elections will be an important opportunity for residents to decide who they trust to run their local services.”

He said his party will “be putting forward a strong and positive case for why the new Northern Oxfordshire Council would be better run by a Conservative team”, adding “we have a real opportunity to start afresh, and we intend to make the most of it”.

Sean Woodcock, Labour MP for Banbury also welcomed the Government's decision to press ahead with plans for three new unitary councils in Oxfordshire, saying they would bring benefits and savings to the area and provide more sustainable local government.

He said: “I am pleased to see that following a review, the Government are pushing forward with the creation of three new councils for Oxfordshire. I was very clear that I wanted these proposals to go ahead, as they will bring key benefits and savings for the area.

“I made these views vocal to the Government, by raising it in the Chamber and asking to meet with Ministers. Therefore, I am pleased that they have listened, paving the way for Oxfordshire to have strong, sustainable local government.”