Views expressed on best unitary model for Oxfordshire
09/04/2025
Our MP supports a council serving the north of the county excluding Oxford, whilst Cherwell’s leader wants to include Oxford
Differing views are emerging as to the best unitary council solution for our area, as the government continues to consider the three options which have been proposed in a joint submission by Oxfordshire’s councils.
Banbury’s MP Sean Woodcock and East Oxford MP Anneliese Dodds yesterday both threw their support behind the option which would see the county split into three, with our area served by a North Oxfordshire Council, covering the county as far as an expanded Greater Oxford area council.
In supporting their preference Mr Woodcock and Ms Dodds said: “This approach would enable housing delivery to be accelerated, support the rapid expansion of world-leading economic sectors, and mean that key links between local communities are maintained and strengthened – not weakened – in different parts of the county, as would be the case with a single unitary covering all of Oxfordshire.
“The plan would be financially robust, while enabling a focus on shaping services like transport and education to better meet distinct local needs. It would enable a focus on service improvement and prevention and provide the right balance of voices for Oxfordshire on a new Strategic Authority Mayoral Board – which would better balance Berkshire’s.
“In conclusion, a three-unitary approach is the smartest way forward, delivering the biggest growth dividend and preserving peoples’ connections with their local communities.”
But the leaders of Cherwell District and West Oxfordshire councils recently wrote to the government saying they will be working together to towards a two-unitary model for the county. This would see Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and Oxford City coming together to cover our area, whilst the remaining two councils in the county came together to cover southern Oxfordshire.
They believe the two-unitary approach minimises risks around the one-off and ongoing costs and disruption of key services currently provided by the county council.
Councillor David Hingley, Leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “We have worked closely with our neighbouring councils to develop credible, practical options for the future, and while we note that a single county unitary is a feasible choice, we presently believe that the two-unitary model offers the best balance. It enables the efficiencies of unitary government while maintaining local decision-making, guaranteeing strong democratic representation, and encouraging sustainable growth in housing and infrastructure in the right areas, given Oxfordshire’s expanding population. This approach ensures councils are large enough to deliver high-quality services and be financially resilient, but most crucially, local enough to truly understand and stay connected to the communities they serve.
“Equally important is ensuring stability for essential services. This model minimises the disruption that would come with breaking apart key services like social care, education, and highways. By structuring the two new councils around existing upper-tier service areas in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, we would avoid the costly and complex disaggregation process, ensuring continuity and a smooth transition.
“While discussions on potential reorganisation continue, I want to reassure Cherwell residents that services will continue to run as normal, and any changes remain some time away. In the meantime, we remain fully committed to delivering high-quality services and supporting our communities as we always have.”
All submissions made will be considered by the government before a decision is made on which option will be taken forward.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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Roger England On 09/04/2025 at 2:24 pm
anything that ties Oxford to the rest of the county is a bad idea, they only care about Oxford City and even more of our rates would be channelled into the city and we would get even less than we do now if that’s possible, you only have to look at the mess they have made of it so far, and certainly the last thing we need is to be tied to east Oxford ie blackbird leys we have enough dross here now.