Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution: What you need to know

On 16 December 2024, the government published a white paper on a national programme of devolution and reform to local government. This would be the single biggest change to Local Government since the current district and county councils were created in 1974. 

It involves two key changes to the current system: Devolution (Mayoral Strategic Authorities) and Local Government Reorganisation  

Devolution involves the creation of  new Mayoral Strategic Authorities. The new authorities would cover regional areas and give those areas new powers, devolved from Government. They would be run by an elected mayor in many cases. Some areas such as London, Manchester and the West Midlands already have strategic authorities and an elected mayor. The government ambition is for the whole county to be covered by strategic authorities. 

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) involves replacing the current two-tier arrangements in areas where it still exists, such as in Oxfordshire. This would mean all council services are provided by a unitary council in any given area rather than being split across two councils (district and county). Many areas of the country are already served by unitary councils.  

The Government has asked councils in Oxfordshire to submit proposals for local government reorganisation by 28 November 2025. The Government will decide which structure for unitary council (s) is put in place in Oxfordshire and the new council(s) are due to be formed in 2028 based on the proposed Government timeline. 

The councils in Oxfordshire submitted an interim proposal to Government in March setting out the three options that would be developed into full proposals: 

1. A single unitary council covering the current county council boundary 

1. Two unitaries. One including the current districts on Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire along with West Berkshire. The second unitary including the current districts of West Oxfordshire and Cherwell along with Oxford City 

1. Three unitaries. One covering Oxford City but with expanded boundaries from the current city council. A second including the current districts on Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire along with West Berkshire. A third including the current districts of West Oxfordshire and Cherwell. 

West Oxfordshire District Council has committed to developing the two unitary option for consideration by Government in partnership Cherwell, Vale of White Horse, South Oxfordshire and West Berkshire councils. However, the council has not yet voted on which option it would prefer to see implemented in West Oxfordshire and will chose once it has seen the proposals. 

Councils across Oxfordshire and Berkshire are discussing options for a new strategic authority covering the two counties and also potentially other areas such as Swindon and Buckinghamshire.  

Below you can find out more about the two unitary option, Devolution and local government reorganisation. 

Two unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire 

West Oxfordshire District Council has committed to working with other councils to develop a unitary council option for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. As part of this we are committed to engaging residents, business and local organisations to help shape the proposal that will be put forward to the Government. 

The proposed two-unitary model would see Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and Oxford City coming together to form one unitary council in the north of the county, complementing the proposed model in the south of Oxfordshire, whereby the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District Councils would combine with the existing West Berkshire unitary council to form a new “Ridgeway Council”. 

You can find out some of the key elements of the two unitary proposals below: 

• Read the letter we sent to Government supporting the two unitary proposal 

• Read the interim plan for the two unitary option 

When we launch our engagement with residents we will publish more information so you can give your input into the proposal and help us shape the best possible proposal for local government across the area. 

Frequently asked questions 

Why is local government reform and devolution being proposed?

The Government has set out their vision and reasoning for the changes in the white paper that is available on their website.  

The general theme is the Government has a long-term vision for simpler structures, more local control over services and more opportunity for growth. 

They would like elected Mayors to drive growth and provide more accountability at a regional level through the new strategic authorities. 

The government believes that devolution over a large strategic geography, alongside local government reorganisation, can drive economic growth while delivering efficient and resilient council services at a time where local government finances are struggling. 

What are the current tiers of local government and what do they do?

In Oxfordshire, democratic representation and responsibilities for delivering services are split across a range of councils. These are sometimes referred to as tiers of local government. 

1. Parish and town councils

The first tier is that of parish and town councils. These councils may maintain local amenities such as recreational areas, footpaths and cemeteries, organise events or operate public conveniences. Parts of Oxfordshire, but not all, are covered by this tier. 

2. District (or borough) councils

The second tier is that of district councils. These organisations deliver services such as housing, environmental health, planning, waste collection, licensing and elections. Oxfordshire has five district councils, which collectively cover the whole county. They are Cherwell, Oxford City, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire. 

3. County councils

The third tier is that of county councils. These organisations deliver services such as adults and children’s services, highways and transport, waste disposal, libraries, public health, fire and rescue and trading standards. Oxfordshire County Council covers all of Oxfordshire. 

4. Combined or strategic authorities

The fourth tier is that of combined authorities. A combined – or strategic – authority is a legal body that enables a group of two or more councils to collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries. 

They cover issues that require strategic oversight of the entire region and have responsibilities, and funding, to deliver economic development, strategic planning and transport, adult education, local growth plans and other functions. 

In mayoral strategic authorities, mayors will have significant powers over housing and planning, including the ability to develop and propose the spatial development strategy for their areas, working alongside other members of the strategic authority. 

Oxfordshire is not yet part of a combined/ strategic authority. Strategic authorities already operate in areas such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands and the East Midlands. 

What is devolution and how would it affect Oxfordshire?

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It helps ensure that more decisions are made locally and closer to the communities and businesses they affect.  

Devolution would see the creation of a new strategic authority, made up of Oxfordshire and other neighbouring areas, which would be led by a directly elected mayor. 

Creating a strategic authority would mean that councils across a wider region could work together around key issues such as transport, skills, planning and economic development. 

What is local government reorganisation and what does it mean for West Oxfordshire?

In the white paper, the Government has said it wants to reorganise local government across England by replacing county and district councils with unitary authorities. 

If this goes ahead in Oxfordshire, residents would still receive the same council services, however, they would all be delivered by a newly formed unitary authority rather than West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council. 

It is likely the new unitary authorities will cover larger areas than the current district council, and could be as big as the current county council boundary. They may also include neighbouring authorities in Berkshire under some proposals. You can read more about proposals at the top of this page. 

The new councils would make decisions on local services through newly elected councillors. We could not say at this stage whether how much will change for the district although we committed to protecting locally important services through this process. The Councils are due to come into place in 2028 at which point the current district and county councils would cease to exist. 

The shape of local government for West Oxfordshire is yet to be determined. The decision on how local government will be structured in Oxfordshire will lie with central Government after proposals are put forward by 28 November 2025.  

Are parish and town councils affected?

Parish and town councils will not be affected structurally by the changes. They will not be abolished. 

The Government’s white paper states that local government plays an essential role in convening local partners around neighbourhoods to ensure that community voices are represented and people have influence over their place and their valued community assets. Government committed to working with the sector to ensure that the existing structures and mechanisms for community partnership enable them to fulfil this role. It said it will work with the town and parish council sector to improve engagement between them and local authorities. This includes “rewiring” the relationship between town and parish councils and principal local authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice. 

What is the process for agreeing the new council structure for Oxfordshire and when will the change happen?

The Government has asked Oxfordshire councils to submit proposals for new unitary council structures by 28 November 2025. The proposals have to meet the criteria set out by Government and should include engagement with residents to help develop the proposals. 

Before the 28 November each Oxfordshire council will make a decision on which option they prefer, however, the final  decision on the new council structure will be made by Government .  

The Government will consider all the submitted proposals and will make a decision on which structure is put in place. Under current legislation the Government would consult with key stakeholders on its proposal but not with residents. 

Under the current timetable set out by Government elections to a ‘shadow authority’ would take place in May 2027. This shadow authority would then set up the new council (s) to go live from May 2028. At that point all the current councils in Oxfordshire would cease to exist and would be replaced by the new one (s). 

The Government have started a Devolution Priority Programme in some areas of the country which means local government reorganisation and setting up new strategic authorities will work on a faster timetable. Oxfordshire is not on the Devolution Priority Programme so we have no specific timetable from Government for setting up a new strategic authority. However, all the councils in Oxfordshire and Berkshire have committed to working quickly to get a new strategic authority agreed.