As we’re all no doubt aware, Local Government Reorganisation is now full steam ahead in Oxfordshire.
The government has confirmed that the existing structure of five District Councils and one County Council will be replaced by three new Unitaries. These are: Greater Oxford; Northern Oxfordshire; and Ridgeway. Greater Oxford will include the City of Oxford plus areas including Kidlington, Wheatley and Berinsfield, while Northern Oxfordshire brings together the current Cherwell and West Oxfordshire District Councils and Ridgeway will include most of the current South and Vale District Councils, plus West Berkshire. Parish and Town councils are unaffected.
For now, nothing changes. The existing District Councils and Oxfordshire County Councils will continue to operate and in May 2027 residents will vote for councillors to the new Unitaries. These will run as shadow authorities until April 2028, at which point the existing structure will be dissolved.
Communities have relayed to Community First and others their concerns about the reorganisation. There is uncertainty about the how the transition will work in practice, existing Local Authorities becoming distracted by the process of setting up the new Unitaries (to the detriment of residents), and how the new authorities will best ‘connect downwards’ to residents.
Community First shares these concerns but also recognises opportunities within the reorganisation, such as services being brought under one jurisdiction, a more joined up planning system, a reduction in bureaucracies, and potential financial savings.
It is fair to say that the transition process is unlikely to be plain sailing – experience from elsewhere makes this very clear. But, again, there is the opportunity for Oxfordshire to learn from others.
Like everyone else in the voluntary and community sector Community First will be picking our way through this brave new world and establishing what it might mean for us. However, as a community development charity with many parish and town council members, we will be doing our best to make sure the reorganisation hears the voices of Oxfordshire’s communities loud and clear and keeps their needs at its heart. In the meantime, if you have questions about LGR, we’ll do our best to answer them.
Tom McCulloch and Emily Lewis-Edwards – Community First Oxfordshire