Local Government Reorganisation

Once in a generation decision - your chance to have a say on the future of local services

The Government launched its formal public consultation today on options for the shape of councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. The last time a change of this scale happened was over 50 years ago so this decision will have a significant impact to everyone in the district for many years.

What is changing?

The Government is scrapping the current district and county councils and replacing them with new ‘unitary’ councils. Unitary councils deliver all council services under one roof

What are the proposals?

The Government asked the existing councils to develop proposals for them to consider. There were three proposals submitted to government:

• A single county unitary that covers all of Oxfordshire.

• Two unitary councils that cover Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. One covering the existing council areas of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire. One covering the existing council areas of South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.

• Three unitary councils that cover Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. One covering the existing Oxford City council area but with expanded boundaries. One covering the remaining existing council areas of Cherwell and West Oxfordshire. One covering the remaining existing council areas of South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.

What do the current councils think is the best option?

South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, Cherwell, West Berkshire and West Oxfordshire overwhelmingly support the two unitary option. 142 out of 158 councillors in attendance at councils last year voted to support submitting the two unitary proposal including councillors from all political parties.

Oxfordshire County Council support their single unitary proposal and Oxford City Council support their three unitary proposal.

Why are we supporting the two unitary option?

Our council believes that the two unitary proposal is the only one that will deliver improvements to council services, will be financially sustainable, will be responsive to communities and will deliver economic growth.

We believe in creating councils of the right size – not too big to distant and ineffective, not too small that they aren’t financially viable. When councillors considered the proposals they felt the two unitary was the one that best met the government criteria and would deliver the best outcomes for South Oxfordshire.

You told us

During our public engagement last year, towns and parishes told us they were concerned large authorities wouldn’t be responsive, that they were anxious about being given responsibility without funding, fear urban areas will take priority, and want to be true stakeholders.

This feedback helped us shape our Two-Council proposal - and we are now working closely with our towns and parishes to develop a way of ensuring local voices are heard in the unitary councils' decision making, whether that's through Neighbourhood Area Committees or other models.

The Two-Councils proposal is built on, and will keep, the current character and identity of the area and allow local priorities/plans to be delivered within a similar framework.

Town and parish LGR session

We're holding a special online session for Town and Parish councils on
Monday 9 February at 11am
so you can help us begin the process of designing how the new unitary council for our area will work with you to ensure local views are part of the decision-making process. We have emailed the details to your clerks, and will be sending them the link to join the session soon. We will record the session and circulate the recording to all town and parish councils in case you can't make it.

Find out more on the three proposals

Each proposal has its own website that you can visit to find out more:

A single county unitary proposal for Oxfordshire developed and supported by Oxfordshire County Council: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oneoxfordshire

A two unitary proposal for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire developed and supported by Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Berkshire and West Oxfordshire councils:
www.twocouncils.org

The three-unitary proposal for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire developed and supported by Oxford City Council: www.oxford.gov.uk/three-councils