Oxfordshire's councils to be abolished and replaced with three new authorities

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 31 Oct, 06:22 · Archive

The government has confirmed it will replace Oxfordshire's county, district and city councils with three unitary authorities by April 2029.

The government has confirmed that Oxfordshire's county, district and city councils will be abolished and replaced with three unitary authorities by 1 April 2029. The new councils will be Greater Oxford, North Oxfordshire, and Ridgeway, which includes West Berkshire. Unitary councils hold all powers and run all services currently split across county and district authorities, including roads, planning, education and social care.

The decision follows a July announcement to end the county's two-tier system and a review announced in September amid legal challenges to the policy being rolled out across the country. Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Growth, Jim McMahon, said: 'This government is committed to shifting power from Westminster and Whitehall to places where people live and work.' He said the reorganisation would create 'strong, sustainable local government' and be the 'building block for how the country is run for generations to come'. Elections for planning the new councils are scheduled for May 2028.

Meanwhile, Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed it will continue developing a new office campus at Speedwell House, despite the planned abolition. The council intends to move into the building in April 2028, giving it one year at the new premises before the current councils are replaced. The council has refused to disclose how much the project will cost, and its leader has acknowledged the offices will likely be redundant under the three-council plan.

How it is being reported

• County council continues building itself new offices despite planned abolitionOxfordshire County Council will continue its development of a new 'campus' despite government plans to abolish the authority in April 2029.Oxford Mail · 31 Oct, 05:00
• County council continues building itself new offices despite planned abolitionOxfordshire County Council will continue its development of a new 'campus' despite government plans to abolish the authority in April 2029.Oxfordshire Guardian · 31 Oct, 05:00
• Abolition of Oxfordshire councils to go ahead after government reviewThe abolition and replacement of Oxfordshire's county, district, and city councils is set to go ahead after a government review.Oxfordshire Guardian · 29 Oct, 12:25
• Abolition of Oxfordshire councils to go ahead after government reviewThe abolition and replacement of Oxfordshire's county, district, and city councils is set to go ahead after a government review.Oxford Mail · 29 Oct, 12:25

In this story: Oxfordshire · Greater Oxford · North Oxfordshire · Ridgeway · Jim McMahon · Angela Rayner · Keir Starmer · Oxfordshire County Council

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log