Local government reorganisation: the countywide option
23/03/2026
The county council believes countywide control of our services is best
We’re into the final few days of a government consultation into changes to local government in Oxfordshire, which will see both Oxfordshire County and Cherwell District Councils disappear and be replaced by a single unitary authority.
There are three different suggestions as to what area the new authority should cover. This week we’ll look at the three ideas put forward, starting with the countywide model which is being proposed by Oxfordshire County Council.
They currently oversee education and social care in the county, along with looking after the majority of our roads. They are also responsible for waste and recycling centres, libraries and the fire and rescue service and take around 85 percent of the council tax we pay.
They want to take on the services currently overseen by Cherwell District Council, which includes planning, bin collections and social housing.
They say their One Oxfordshire proposal would deliver £63 million in annual savings, rising to £163 million within five years. They add that their plan prioritises maintaining strong countywide services, particularly in social care, while integrating systems like housing, planning and waste across the whole of Oxfordshire.
Supporters of the proposal believe it would strengthen resilience to fund changes and support long-term growth, including the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.
Liberal Democrat Council Leader Liz Leffman has answered those critics who feel a countywide model would make them remote from local communities. She said: “As part of our proposals, we’re going to be setting up neighbourhood committees in areas around the county. There’ll be around 15 of those and they’ll be centred around some of the main centres.
“We’re designing that at the moment, but it’s really important to have those neighbourhood committees, bringing services close to local residents.”
If you have a view on local government reorganisation you can submit your thoughts here.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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