Your questions answered

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?

Devolution in Oxfordshire would see the creation of a new combined authority made up of Oxfordshire and other neighbouring areas, which would be led by a directly elected mayor. 

Councils across a wider region, such as the Thames Valley, could work together around key issues such as transport and economic development.

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. Interim proposals have been shared with central government with full proposals to be submitted by 28 November. Central government 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
• Berkshire
• Buckinghamshire
• Cheshire
• Dorset
• Northamptonshire
• North Yorkshire
• Somerset
• Swindon
• Wiltshire

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

What stage are we at with local government reorganisation and devolution?

Following the government’s white paper, in January 2025 the county council's cabinet requested that the county be fast-tracked for local government reorganisation.

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

A proposed response was considered and agreed by cabinets and executives at all Oxfordshire councils on 19 and 20 March. 

Three options were discussed, one of which was a single county unitary council providing all services to the residents of Oxfordshire. This is the county council’s preferred option. 

A full proposal is due by 28 November 2025. The government will then decide what form of unitary authority or authorities Oxfordshire will adopt.

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 it.