Agenda item

Report of Executive Director of Resources

Purpose of report

This report summarises the council’s Full Proposal for LGR in Oxfordshire which is due to be submitted to the Government on 28 November 2025 subject to Executive approval (Special Executive, 13 November 2025). The Full Proposal makes the case for two unitary councils underpinned by a robust options appraisal and thorough financial analysis. Two unitary councils will help ensure the future of local government in Oxfordshire is cost effective, simplified and strengthened whilst unlocking further devolution for the county. Council is invited to debate the matters within the report and provide comments to Executive for their consideration.

Recommendations

Full Council is asked to:

1.1           Consider the Executive report of 13 November 2025 (attached including the full proposal) and provide any comments for the Executive to consider.

1.2           Note that the Executive is asked to approve the Full Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation across Oxfordshire at its meeting on 13 November, and in doing so, endorse Option 2:

·        A two-unitary model comprising:

o   One unitary authority covering the boundaries of Cherwell District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, and Oxford City Council, with the working title ‘Oxford & Shires’.

o   A second unitary authority covering South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, and West Berkshire Council, with the working title ‘Ridgeway’.

Resolved

(1)            That the Executive report of 13 November 2025 be noted and the comments be provided for Executive to consider (a separate supplement to be publish containing comments from Council to Executive).

(2)            That it be noted that Executive is asked to approve the Full Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation across Oxfordshire at its meeting on 13 November, and in doing so, endorse Option 2: A two-unitary model comprising: One unitary authority covering the boundaries of Cherwell District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, and Oxford City Council, with the working title ‘Oxford & Shires’; and a second unitary authority covering South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, and West Berkshire Council, with the working title ‘Ridgeway’.

The Executive Director of Resources submitted a report that summarised the council’s Full Proposal for Local Government Reform (LGR) in Oxfordshire, which was due to be submitted to the Government on 28 November 2025, subject to Executive approval at the Special Executive 13 November 2025.

The Full Proposal made the case for two unitary councils underpinned by a robust options appraisal and thorough financial analysis. Two unitary councils were proposed to help ensure the future of local government in Oxfordshire was cost effective, simplified and strengthened whilst unlocking further devolution for the county. Council was invited to debate the matters within the report and provide comments to Executive for their consideration.

In introducing the report, the Leader advised Council that the report and the proposal had been brought to the Special Council meeting to allow all Members of the Council the opportunity to consider and comment before the decision was taken at the Special Executive.

In considering the report, Members commented that it was vital that the new structure, when in place, empowered parish councils, whose role would  become increasingly important with a larger upper tier council. Members must also be supported to better serve parish councils and residents, ensuring local voices remained central to decision-making.

Members commented that a two-unitary authority model would help keep services more local, supporting the most deprived communities, and enabling a more holistic approach to housing. Local communities expected the council to focus on and operate within their area; as a result, the two-unitary authority model was considered the most appropriate option.

Members raised concerns about whether the proposed governance model would ensure fair distribution of resources, protect rural communities, and prevent further overdevelopment resulting from Oxford’s unmet housing needs.

It was highlighted that partnership working remained a key priority, and consideration must be given to the existing Oxford City Housing Revenue Account.

Members noted that the Secretary of State could implement the proposal with or without modification and queried the implications if the Secretary of State decided to take no action, and how would this affect the future of the proposal?

Members raised concerns regarding ribbon development, the influence of developer-led plans versus councillor-led local plans, and the potential for central government control over planning and council operations, especially in relation to the future of the green belt.

Members raised concerns that with the inclusion of Oxford City the future unitary would be dominated by Oxford City, which would result in market towns being disadvantaged and concerns over housing growth being dominated by the City.

Members thanked the Executive and officers for the significant amount of work undertaken in developing the two unitary proposal.

Resolved

(1)            That the Executive report of 13 November 2025 be noted and  comments be provided for Executive to consider as set out in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book).

(2)            That it be noted that Executive is asked to approve the Full Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation across Oxfordshire at its meeting on 13 November, and in doing so, endorse Option 2: A two-unitary model comprising: One unitary authority covering the boundaries of Cherwell District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, and Oxford City Council, with the working title ‘Oxford & Shires’; and a second unitary authority covering South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, and West Berkshire Council, with the working title ‘Ridgeway’.