Interim proposal

Our proposal for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire.

The government asked councils in Oxfordshire to submit an interim proposal(s) for local government reorganisation by 21 March 2025, with a full proposal by 28 November 2025.

On 19 and 20 March, cabinets and executives at the six Oxfordshire councils considered a proposed response.

Each of them agreed the proposed joint response to government that sets out, how local authorities in our area are collaborating to develop proposals for new unitary structures. The response included information on each of the three options being developed for Oxfordshire in line with the criteria set out in the government's statutory invitation

The options

A single unitary council for Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire Council (responsible for all services for Oxfordshire residents). This is our preferred option.
Two unitary councils:
- Oxford and Shires Council (previously referenced as North Oxfordshire Council) created from the existing district councils of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire.
- Ridgeway Council created from the existing district councils of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse and the unitary council of West Berkshire.
Three unitary councils – with a unitary city on expanded boundaries as well as northern and southern unitaries, also including West Berkshire.

Our proposal for a single unitary

Our preferred option is for a single unitary council across Oxfordshire.

One council: Your Oxfordshire

Why we believe a single unitary is best

Stronger, simpler services

A single unitary council for Oxfordshire will create stronger, simpler services that are closer to communities, cost effective and connected.

1. Closer to communities

One unified council will create stronger, simpler services closer to the communities we serve.
A single countywide unitary council will provide both the scale and financial resilience that Oxfordshire needs and bring decision-making closer to communities by partnering with town and parish councils.
We support the development of a single unitary council for Oxfordshire, one that doesn’t separate Oxfordshire’s residents, businesses and institutions from the county they are in or moves boundaries from the places and communities they recognise.
A single unitary council for Oxfordshire will enable services to be delivered more equitably, with residents in every part of the county able to benefit.

2. Cost-effective

A single unitary council for Oxfordshire simplifies services for residents, businesses and investors and makes them stronger with clear accountability – one front door to access all services (from social care, to housing, public health, community safety, planning and everything in between), one set of councillors, one chief executive and senior management team, and one set of buildings.
Bringing services together under one council offers the best value for money for residents and will save an initial estimate of £27 million per year.
Money saved from bringing services together can be reinvested into strengthening them.

3. Connected

Our county is highly connected, from school transport right through to how our economy works and beyond. We will maintain and strengthen that connection through a new, progressive single council for all Oxfordshire residents, businesses, institutions and investors.
Only Oxfordshire County Council delivers services to over 750,000 residents.
- We provide 85 per cent of local government services by expenditure in the county, including adult and children’s social care, some education services, public health, fire and rescue, libraries and museums, roads and transport, trading standards, waste disposal and recycling.
We will maintain the links between our great universities and organisations developing advanced technology, including on Bicester, Culham, Harwell and Milton Park campuses, so that our county can drive innovation and inclusive growth across the region.
One single unitary council for Oxfordshire means no disruption for existing countywide vital frontline services, including those delivered in partnership, such as adult and children’s social care and public health.

You can read the letter Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, wrote to Local Government Minister Jim McMahon to explain our interim proposal further.

The letter adds that a single countywide unitary council could swiftly unlock devolution for the region.

Further information and documents

You'll find all documents and further information on the proposals on our wider web pages.

The next stage

Oxfordshire councils will have further detailed discussions so we can submit final proposals by 28 November 2025. The government will then decide what form of unitarisation Oxfordshire will adopt.

In parallel with other partners, all Oxfordshire councils will continue collaborating to propose a mayoral strategic authority to the government as part of the national devolution programme.