Change is coming to local government across England, and five councils are working together to propose two strong and locally accountable unitary authorities for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
The government will replace the current two-tier system of local government, which consists of district and county councils, with new unitary authorities. It also wants smaller existing unitary councils, like West Berkshire, to reorganise so they cover areas of around 500,000 people.
The government wishes for councils to work together on plans for how these new unitary councils will work. As a result, the majority of the Oxfordshire authorities have teamed up with West Berkshire to work together positively and constructively on a proposal that meets the government’s criteria and also provides an option for a better future for both Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. This proposal would deliver better services while retaining a close link to local communities.
The proposal – which is one of three being put forward for the area – is for two new unitary councils with the working titles of Oxford and Shires Council and Ridgeway Council. It aims to create strong, financially stable councils that provide high-quality, cost-effective, and locally driven services.
- Oxford and Shires Council would comprise all of the existing district areas of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire.
- Ridgeway Council would be made up of the whole of West Berkshire Council’s area and all of the existing district areas of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.
While the councils would be new, there would be strong continuity of services for residents, with the existing social care provision at West Berkshire Council and Oxfordshire County Council continuing as part of the new councils. This would ensure that those in need continue to receive their support without costly disaggregation of their services, which the government wants to avoid.
Having two councils in Oxfordshire would mean the councils are large enough to meet the government’s size criteria and be financially viable, but small enough to be tailored to the needs of the individual areas they cover.
The proposal will also focus on how the new councils can bring real economic benefits to the communities they serve, strengthening existing business partnerships and forging new ones in both urban and rural settings. The two-council model will also provide a suitable platform to address local priorities such as building the right homes in the right places, protecting the environment, improving roads and other infrastructure, and tackling issues like flooding and sewage pollution.
The new unitary councils will be forward-looking, innovative and modern. They will have historical community connections at their heart and build on a strong sense of local identity that runs throughout the area.
The councils will launch a comprehensive public engagement exercise from 4 June to 15 July to gather views that will help ensure the final proposals reflect the needs and aspirations of residents.
Residents can share their thoughts by taking part in the online survey by visiting twocouncils.org
They can also attend one of the engagement events held throughout Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. Details of these events are below. The councils will also start meeting with local stakeholders to let them feed into the proposal.
Details of the engagement events:
| Date | Venue | Time |
| Friday 13 June | Coffee Aroma. 15 Hight Street, Abingdon, OX14 5BB | 1.30pm – 4.30pm |
| Tuesday 17 June | Berro Lounge, Orchard Shopping Centre, 44 Orchard Street, Didcot, OX11 7LG | 10.30am – 1.30pm |
| Wednesday 18 June | Beansheaf Community Centre, Charrington Road, Calcot, RG31 7AW | 11.30am – 2.30pm |
| Thursday 19 June | Newbury Library, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AU | 11am – 3pm |
| Thursday 19 June | St Mary-le-More Church, Market Place, Wallingford, OX10 0EG | 1.30pm – 4.30pm |
| Monday 23 June | War Memorial Hall, Market Street, Charlbury, OX7 3QW | 3pm – 7pm |
| Monday 23 June | Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AB | 3pm – 7pm |
| Tuesday 24 June | Bicester Methodist Church (main hall), Bell Lane, Bicester, OX26 6JQ | 3pm – 7pm |
| Wednesday 25 June | Hungerford Library, 2 Church Street, Hungerford, RG17 0JG | 11am – 2pm |
| Wednesday 25 June | The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BX | 1pm – 4pm |
| Friday 27 June | Old Crown Coach Inn, 25 Market Place, Faringdon, SN7 7HU | 10.30am – 1.30pm |
| Friday 27 June | Old Headington Village Hall, Dunstand Road, Oxford, OX3 9BY | 3pm – 7pm |
| Saturday 28 June | Northbrook Street, Newbury | 11.30am – 2.30pm |
| Monday 30 June | Jericho Community Centre, 33A Canal Street, Oxford, OX2 6BQ | 3pm – 7pm |
| Tuesday 1 July | Henley-on-Thames Town Hall, Market Place, Henley, RG9 2AQ | 2.30pm – 5.30pm |
| Wednesday 2 July | Florence Park Community Centre, Cornwallis Road, Oxford, OX4 3NH | 3pm – 7pm |
| Friday 4 July | Thame Town Hall, Hight Street, Thame, OX9 3DP | 10.30am – 1.30pm |
| Monday 7 July | Banbury Town Hall, Bridge Street, Banbury OX16 5QB | 3pm – 7pm |
| Tuesday 8 July | Bampton Village Hall, Market Square, OX18 2JH | 3pm – 7pm |
| Thursday 10 July | Unit 14a, Marriotts Walk, Witney, OX28 6GW | 3pm – 7pm |