Your questions answered

You can also read a list of frequently asked questions from the Local Government Association.

Why is local government reform and devolution being proposed?

The government's long-term vision is for simpler structures in local government, which make it much clearer for residents who they should look to on local issues.

The government believes that devolution over a large strategic geography alongside local government reorganisation, can drive economic growth and deliver better public services for communities.

What are the tiers of local government?

In Oxfordshire, democratic representation and responsibilities for delivering services are split across a range of councils. We sometimes refer to these as tiers of local government. We currently have tiers 1, 2 and 3.

Tier 1 - parish and town councils

The first tier is that of parish and town councils. These councils may maintain local amenities and functions such as:

• recreational areas
• footpaths
• cemeteries
• organise events
• operate public conveniences

Parts of Oxfordshire, but not all, are covered by this tier.

Tier 2 - district (or borough) councils

The second tier is that of district councils. These organisations deliver services such as:

• housing
• environmental health
• planning
• waste collection
• licensing
• elections

Oxfordshire has five district councils, which collectively cover the whole county. They are:

• Cherwell
• Oxford City
• South Oxfordshire
• Vale of White Horse
• West Oxfordshire

Tier 3 - county councils

The third tier is that of county councils. These organisations deliver services such as:

• adults and children's services
• highways and transport
• waste disposal
• libraries
• public health
• fire and rescue
• trading standards

Oxfordshire County Council covers all of Oxfordshire.

Tier 4 - combined or strategic authorities

The fourth tier is that of combined authorities. A combined – or strategic – authority is a legal body that enables a group of two or more councils to collaborate and make collective decisions across council boundaries.

Fourth tier authorities cover issues that require strategic oversight of the entire region and have responsibilities and funding to deliver:

• economic development
• strategic planning and transport
• adult education
• local growth plans
• other functions

In mayoral strategic authorities elected mayors will have significant powers over housing and planning. These powers include the ability to develop and propose the spatial development strategy for their areas, working alongside other members of the strategic authority.

Oxfordshire is not yet part of a combined authority, but it is expected to become one in the future. Strategic authorities already operate in areas such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands and East Midlands.

What is devolution? 

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It helps ensure that more decisions are made locally and closer to the communities and businesses they affect. 

How would devolution affect Oxfordshire?

If agreed, devolution in Oxfordshire will see the creation of a new combined authority – a mayoral strategic authority – made up of Oxfordshire and other neighbouring areas across the Thames Valley. The government will transfer more powers and funding to this new authority. 

The combined authority will:

• make decisions locally and closer to the communities and businesses affected
• be led by a directly elected mayor.

Councils within the mayoral strategic authority across the Thames Valley will work together around key issues such as transport and economic development.

What is currently happening?

• We are working with partners on a future Thames Valley mayoral strategic authority. 
• We will be submitting an expression of interest to government for what this could look like  by 19 December 2025. This will set out a shared ambition to secure new powers and funding, which would enable local councils to plan and deliver more integrated and effective transport, infrastructure, the right type of housing – with an emphasis on social housing – creating the conditions for faster, more inclusive growth across the region.

What is local government reorganisation? 

In its white paper, the government said it wanted to reorganise local government across England by replacing county and district councils and consolidating the services they provide with unitary authorities.

What would local government reorganisation mean for Oxfordshire?

In Oxfordshire, all of the same services would still be provided, but by a newly formed unitary authority, or authorities, rather than the six councils that have operated in the county since 1974.

Currently, six councils provide services in Oxfordshire:

• Oxfordshire County Council
• Cherwell District Council
• Oxford City Council
• South Oxfordshire District Council
• Vale of White Horse District Council
• West Oxfordshire District Council

The shape of local government is yet to be determined. Counties including Oxfordshire, which have county and district councils, have been invited by government to submit proposals for becoming unitary authorities. But the decision on how local government will be structured in Oxfordshire lies with central government. 

Are parish and town councils affected?

The changes will not affect parish and town councils structurally, and the government will not abolish them.

The government's white paper states that local government plays an essential role in:

• convening local partners around neighbourhoods to ensure that community voices are represented and
• ensuring people have influence over their place and their valued community assets

Government wants to see stronger community arrangements in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level. 

Government has said it wants to "rewire" the relationship between town and parish councils and principal local authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice.

What would new boundaries be in Oxfordshire?

The six councils in Oxfordshire have discussed new boundaries, but no decisions have been made. Full proposals have been submitted to central government who will make the final decision.

Are there other areas of the country that already operate in the way that Oxfordshire may be structured in the future?

Many other areas of the country have unitary authorities rather than county and district councils. These include:

• Bedfordshire
• Buckinghamshire
• Cheshire
• Dorset
• Northamptonshire
• North Yorkshire
• Somerset
• Wiltshire

Many of these councils have undergone the same reorganisation that Oxfordshire is about to embark on within the last 10 years.

The government has confirmed plans for Surrey. From April 2027, two new unitary councils – East Surrey and West Surrey – will replace the existing twelve councils. They are consulting on proposals put forward in other areas, including Essex and Sussex.

What stage are we at with local government reorganisation?

In February 2025, the government invited councils in Oxfordshire to submit an interim proposal(s) for local government reorganisation. 

Three interim proposals were submitted to government in March. These have now been worked up to form three final proposals for Oxfordshire.

1. A single unitary council for Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire Council. This is our preferred option.
2. Two unitary councils – Oxford and Shires Council and Ridgeway Council.
3. Three unitary councils – Greater Oxford Council, Northern Oxfordshire Council and Ridgeway Council. 

We have asked residents, businesses and partners for their views on a single council for Oxfordshire over the summer. This feedback was used to help shape our One Oxfordshire proposal. 

• During November, scrutiny committees, cabinets, councils and executives across all Oxfordshire councils were asked to debate and approve the proposals.
• The proposals were submitted to government by the deadline of 28 November including One Oxfordshire [link], our preferred proposal.
• A statutory consultation will likely take place in early 2026, giving residents and stakeholders the opportunity to share their views on all the proposals for Oxfordshire before any decisions are made.
• The government is expected to announce its decision in late spring or early summer 2026. 
• We expect that in May 2027, elections will take place for a shadow authority (or authorities) – a temporary governing body established during the transition period to a new council.
• A new council(s) will potentially come into effect on 1 April 2028.  .