Oxfordshire councils will present plans for local governance.
The traditional two-tier system of county and city/district councils in the area is impacted by these. In late 2024, the government asked all such areas to submit final recommendations by November 28 and interim proposals by March 21 for the transition to a single-tier administration. Three options were included in the proposals that were released in March. Oxfordshire Council is a single unitary council serving Oxfordshire.
- The second alternative is to create two distinct authorities: Ridgeway Council, which would include South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, and the existing West Berkshire authority, and Oxford and Shires Council, which would include the districts of Cherwell, Oxford City, and West Oxfordshire. The third option proposes dividing the existing districts into three additional councils. Oxford and its Green Belt would be included in the Greater Oxford Council. The majority of the current Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts would be part of Northern Oxfordshire Council. The majority of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts would be governed by a modified version of Ridgeway Council, which would be combined with the current West Berkshire authority.
Before the deadline of November 28, all possible reorganisation solutions must have thorough documentation examined by the relevant scrutiny committees, cabinets, councils, and executives. The model for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire will then be chosen by the government; this announcement is anticipated in the middle of 2026. According to the present plans, the new council structures are expected to be completely operational on April 1, 2028, with a transitional shadow authority or authorities starting in April 2027. Each option’s details will be accessible on a number of council websites.On October 29, Option 2 will be posted on the websites of the councils of Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, West Oxfordshire, and Vale of White Horse. Option 1 and Option 3 will be accessible on the websites of Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council, respectively, starting on October 31. The following is the schedule for the talks about these proposals: Oxfordshire County Council’s Place, Overview and Scrutiny Committee on November 12 and Cabinet on November 13; Cherwell District Council on November 10 and 13; Oxford City Council’s Special Scrutiny Committee on November 5 and Cabinet on November 10.
On November 6, the South Oxfordshire District Council will review; on November 5, the Vale of White Horse District Council will review; on November 14, the Cabinet will review; on November 10, both councils will have a joint scrutiny committee. On November 10, West Berkshire Council will hold a special resources and place scrutiny committee meeting; on November 12, the executive will hold a meeting. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the West Oxfordshire District Council convenes on November 11, while the Council and Executive meet on November 12 and 13, respectively.
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