Five councils launch two-unitary proposal for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire and seek residents’ views on how local government could be improved

Change is coming to local government across England, and five councils are working together to propose two strong and locally accountable unitary authorities for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

The government will replace the current two-tier system of local government, which consists of district and county councils, with new unitary authorities. It also wants smaller existing unitary councils, like West Berkshire, to reorganise so they cover areas of around 500,000 people.

The government wishes for councils to work together on plans for how these new unitary councils will work. As a result, the majority of the Oxfordshire authorities have teamed up with West Berkshire to work together positively and constructively on a proposal that meets the government’s criteria and also provides an option for a better future for both Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. This proposal would deliver better services while retaining a close link to local communities.

The proposal – which is one of three being put forward for the area – is for two new unitary councils with the working titles of Oxford and Shires Council and Ridgeway Council. It aims to create strong, financially stable councils that provide high-quality, cost-effective, and locally driven services.

While the councils would be new, there would be strong continuity of services for residents, with the existing social care provision at West Berkshire Council and Oxfordshire County Council continuing as part of the new councils. This would ensure that those in need continue to receive their support without costly disaggregation of their services, which the government wants to avoid.

Having two councils in Oxfordshire would mean the councils are large enough to meet the government’s size criteria and be financially viable, but small enough to be tailored to the needs of the individual areas they cover.

The proposal will also focus on how the new councils can bring real economic benefits to the communities they serve, strengthening existing business partnerships and forging new ones in both urban and rural settings. The two-council model will also provide a suitable platform to address local priorities such as building the right homes in the right places, protecting the environment, improving roads and other infrastructure, and tackling issues like flooding and sewage pollution.

The new unitary councils will be forward-looking, innovative and modern. They will have historical community connections at their heart and build on a strong sense of local identity that runs throughout the area.

The councils will launch a comprehensive public engagement exercise from 4 June to 15 July to gather views that will help ensure the final proposals reflect the needs and aspirations of residents.

Residents can share their thoughts by taking part in the online survey by visiting twocouncils.org

They can also attend one of the engagement events held throughout Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. Details of these events are below. The councils will also start meeting with local stakeholders to let them feed into the proposal.

To find out more about the two-unitary proposal, visit twocouncils.org

Date Wednesday 25 June

Venue The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BX

Time 1pm – 4pm