Government announces new minded-to decision for three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire
The government has announced the outcome of its review into local government reorganisation (LGR).
It has made a new minded-to decision to replace the seven existing councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with three new unitary councils.
Government has said it is minded-to proceed with decisions in five areas, with further representation and views being sought from council leaders and interested parties over a three week period before final decisions are made before Christmas.
The five areas are East-Sussex and Brighton and Hove, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
In Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, the three new councils will be:
· Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings.
· North Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts.
· Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, combined with West Berkshire.
Earlier this month, Oxfordshire County Council sent a legal letter to the government and also issued a protective claim in court in relation to a potential judicial review of LGR in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. The council has been asking government to provide the evidence and analysis that informed its minded-to decision in July for this area.
Councillor Tim Bearder, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, 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.
“We still can't understand the government's rationale as the economic and service delivery case is so clearly in favour of delivery at the current scale.
“We believe a single Oxfordshire council offers the strongest foundation for financially sustainable services, clear accountability and effective working across the county.
“We will use the consultation to make that case forcefully and we will carefully consider our legal options in light of this new decision. Oxfordshire deserves a decision based on evidence and what works best for residents, not one that risks locking in unnecessary complexity for decades to come.”
The new councils are due to go live on 1 April 2029, with elections to the new shadow authorities taking place in May 2028. Shadow authorities will plan the new councils but not deliver services.
On 1 April 2029, the seven existing councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire will end and the three new unitary councils will be created. Serving councillors’ terms of office will continue until the existing councils come to an end on vesting day.
The county council will now consider any information shared by the government that has informed its new minded-to decision, assess its position and any further appropriate actions.
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