Reaction to local government reorganisation decision
17/07/2026
Elections for the first North Oxfordshire councillors will be held next year
People have been reacting to yesterday’s announcement of the local government model which will be implemented in our area from April 2028.
Both Cherwell District and Oxfordshire County Councils will be replaced with a single authority, which will cover an area including Banbury, Bicester, Witney and Chipping Norton.
Kidlington, which has been part of the Cherwell District, will now be served by a Greater Oxford council.
Lesley McLean is the Liberal Democrat leader of Cherwell District Council. They wanted the new council to comprise the whole of the north of the county, including Oxford.
She said: “[The] announcement by Government to proceed with a three-unitary model for Oxfordshire is deeply disappointing.
“We have consistently argued that a two-unitary model offered the strongest foundation for the future of local government across the county: simpler structures, less duplication, greater financial resilience, and better outcomes for residents.
“We do not believe a three-unitary structure will deliver the clarity, efficiency or financial stability this reform was intended to secure. At a time of severe pressure on council budgets, creating three new authorities’ risks added complexity, duplicated senior leadership and avoidable costs — resources that should be focused on frontline services.”
She added: “The Government has made its decision. Our responsibility now is to ensure Cherwell’s voice continues to be heard, that our communities remain at the centre of discussions, we support our staff through the transition, and that any new arrangements are shaped by residents’ needs rather than administrative convenience.”
The Liberal Democrat Leader of Oxfordshire County Council also isn’t happy. Councillor Tim Bearder wants to speak to new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to see if the decision can be changed.
He said: “The north will be made-up of West and Cherwell, which will just be too small from day one to be financially resilient.
“In recent weeks, the new Prime Minister-to-be, Andy Burnham, has said that he wants to make a success of local government. These plans are deeply flawed, so we hope we can work with the new Prime Minister to reverse this decision and get the right choice for Oxfordshire so that we can thrive going forward.”
The model chosen by the government is the one proposed by Oxford City Council. Their Labour Council Leader, Susan Brown, said: “It means Witney and Banbury won’t be overshadowed by a focus on Oxford, while South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse can build a new future with West Berkshire, reflecting the history and connections they share.
“But this decision is also about tackling the housing crisis and creating well-paid, secure jobs.
“By focusing development around Oxford, rather than continuing the incremental expansion of towns and villages across rural Oxfordshire, we can deliver the homes people need while protecting more green space overall.
“Oxford has needed more room to grow for a generation. The government has listened, and from 1 April 2028 we will have a genuine opportunity to make Oxford and Oxfordshire more affordable for our children and grandchildren.”
The first councillors for the new North Oxfordshire Council will be elected next April with the authority effective from April 2028.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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