Local government reorganisation: final day to comment on the size of our next council
26/03/2026
The latest government decisions indicate they are favouring smaller areas
It’s the final day 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.
It comes down to a question of how big an area the new unitary authority should cover and yesterday the government gave an indication as to their thinking.
Oxfordshire County Council want to continue with our area part of a single council for the whole county. Read more…
Cherwell District think we should be part of an area which also includes Oxford and Witney. Read more…
Meanwhile Oxford City Council are proposing we’re part of a smaller area, still including Witney, but not Oxford itself. Read more…
This week the government announced its decision on the makeup of the unitary authorities in several areas, and in both Norfolk and Suffolk they opted for a similar model to the that being proposed by Oxford City for here.
Following that news the Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit, Jonathan Carr-West, said: “Today’s decisions, while not a precedent, favour smaller geographies. Councils awaiting July decisions will be taking note.”
In response to the decisions Liz Leffman, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council, issued a statement reinforcing why they felt one council for the county was the best way forward. She said: “One Oxfordshire will bring together all council services across the county with the strength and voice to activate exciting and enduring change. It will provide one front door, meaning easier access to support for residents and businesses.
“This single council will protect not separate critical services like high-performing adult and children’s social care avoiding the duplication and disruption that two or three councils would create.”
She added: “One Oxfordshire will ensure local voices are heard through stronger and simpler local governance bringing decision making closer to communities with clear accountability and a single set of councillors operating at the heart of their areas.
“The other two proposals cannot match the One Oxfordshire proposal.”
Meanwhile the leader of Oxford City Council welcomed the government announcements of separate councils for urban and rural areas. Councillor Susan Brown said: “Cities need the right boundaries and powers to deliver the homes, infrastructure and employment space to meet the needs of our residents. And they also need their own voice, as do the residents of more rural areas.
“I welcome the government’s decision today to back boundary changes in Norwich, Ipswich and Southampton that will enable their expansion and ensure they have their own voice. This will create separate councils for urban and rural areas, reflecting the views of the majority of residents.
“Our proposal for local government reorganisation would expand Oxford’s boundaries, helping to tackle the housing crisis, while protecting rural Oxfordshire from overdevelopment and giving rural communities a stronger voice.”
People can join in with the consultation until midnight tonight.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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