A proposal for two new unitary Councils - Oxford and Shires, and Ridgeway

Background

In December 2024, the government published the English Devolution White Paper December 2024, which explained their plan to transfer some powers from central government to local councils. Their aim is to design a new model of local government that delivers high-quality services, improves financial resilience and value-for-money, and make sure that decisions remain close to the communities they affect.

The changes mean that two-tier authorities, which are made up of district and county councils, as is the case in Oxfordshire, have been invited by the government to submit proposals for creating new unitary councils. For smaller existing unitary councils, such as West Berkshire, which provides services to about 163,000 people, the request is that they reorganise, so that they provide services to more people, about 500,000.

The government has stated that it wants councils to work together on this. As a result, most of the Oxfordshire authorities and West Berkshire Council have teamed up to work together on a proposal that meets the government's criteria and provides an option for a better future for both Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. This proposal would deliver better services, remain locally accountable and recognise individual communities.

Why we want your views

One of the proposals for the area is for two new unitary councils, provisionally named Oxford and Shires Council and Ridgeway Council. These names are working titles and would eventually be decided by the new councils should this proposal be successful:

• Oxford and Shires Council - covering the current council areas of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire
• Ridgeway Council - covering the current council areas of South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire

We're asking for residents' views from across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire to help shape this proposal and make sure it's informed by local opinions.

How to take part

We'll be holding engagement events where you can speak to those involved in developing the proposal, ask questions and leave your feedback. You can find the dates, times and locations on the "Get involved" page of the Two Councils website.

If you'd like to tell us your views, you can do so by completing our survey, by midnight on Wednesday, 16 July 2025.

Find more information and a link to the survey here 

If you have any questions or require the survey in an alternative format (for example large print, Braille, audio, Easy Read and alternative languages), please call 01235 422 425 or email jointheconversation@southandvale.gov.uk

What happens next

Over the coming months, we'll be speaking with people across our communities to listen, learn, and refine our proposals. Your thoughts, ideas, priorities and ambitions will play an important part in helping us prepare our proposal which must be submitted to government by 28 November 2025.   

Before we submit our proposal, we will publish a report to summarise the key findings of this engagement activity and how responses have helped shape, inform and influence our proposal. 

The government has indicated it intends for the new unitary councils to be implemented in May 2028.