About local government reorganisation and devolution
On 16 December 2024, the government published a white paper on a national programme of devolution and reform to local government.
The government's vision
The government aims to:
- reorganise and simplify the structures of councils in England
- devolve more powers from national to local government
Reorganisation
A local government reorganisation would see:
- county and district councils replaced by unitary authorities
- consolidation of the services they provide
What the reorganisation means in Oxfordshire
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
A newly formed unitary authority, or authorities, would provide all those same services.
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. Ideally, an elected mayor would lead.
What devolution would mean in Oxfordshire
Devolution in Oxfordshire would mean a new combined authority comprising Oxfordshire and other neighbouring areas. The government would transfer more powers and funding to this new authority. The combined authority would then:
- make decisions locally and closer to the communities and businesses affected
- be led by an elected mayor
Councils across a wider region, such as the Thames Valley, could collaborate around key issues such as transport and economic development.
Our response
The government invited counties with county and district councils to submit interim proposals for becoming unitary authorities. A full proposal is due by 28 November 2025.
The county council's cabinet requested that the county be fast-tracked for local government reorganisation. Meanwhile, we continue to work with partners on a future mayoral strategic authority.
The government has yet to determine the shape of local government, but the decision will lie with them.