Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution: What you need to know

On 16 December 2024, the government published a white paper on a national programme of devolution and reform to local government. This would be the single biggest change to Local Government since the current district and county councils were created in 1974. 

It involves two key changes to the current system: Devolution (Mayoral Strategic Authorities) and Local Government Reorganisation  

Devolution

Devolution involves the creation of  new Mayoral Strategic Authorities. The new authorities would cover regional areas and give those areas new powers, devolved from Government. They would be run by an elected mayor in many cases. Some areas such as London, Manchester and the West Midlands already have strategic authorities and an elected mayor. The government ambition is for the whole county to be covered by strategic authorities. 

Leaders from across the Thames Valley are progressing plans to pursue a mayoral strategic authority (MSA) for the region, a new combined authority made up of a number of council areas, which would be led by a directly elected mayor. Through an expression of interest letter to government, leaders set out a shared ambition to secure new powers and funding. This would enable local councils to plan and deliver more integrated and effective transport, infrastructure, the right type of housing – with an emphasis on social housing – creating the conditions for faster, more inclusive growth across the region. 

For further information visit reading.gov.uk/devolution.

Local Government Reorganisation

The government is changing the way local councils in Oxfordshire [and West Berkshire] are run. The government aims to reorganise and simplify the structures of councils in England by replacing county and district councils with unitary authorities – this is known as local government reorganisation (LGR). Many areas of the country are already served by unitary councils.    

The current county, city, and district councils will disappear in April 2028 and be replaced by three new unitary councils. This will be the single biggest change to local government since the current district and county councils were created in 1974.   

The new councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire

Oxfordshire and West Berkshire will be served by three new unitary councils:

• Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings
• Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering West Oxfordshire and most of the existing Cherwell district
• Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, combined with West Berkshire

Why this is happening and what has happened so far 

On 16 December 2024, the government published a white paper setting out its reasoning for the change alongside proposals to devolve more powers and funding from central to local government.

Existing councils were invited by the government to submit proposals. Three were submitted in November 2025 and were consulted on in February 2026. The government made its decision to proceed with the proposal for three unitary councils on 16 July 2026. 

What will happen to the existing councils and the services they provide 

In Oxfordshire [and West Berkshire], all of the same services will still be provided, but by newly formed unitary authorities, rather than the current seven councils.

The aim is to make council services simpler, clearer, and better value for residents. By bringing services together under three new councils, we can reduce duplication, cut overheads, and free up more money for the services you rely on every day. This means:   

• Fewer separate systems to navigate   

• One point of contact when you need help   

• Better coordination behind the scenes 

How the transition will be managed 

There is a set procedure for replacing existing councils with new ones that have been tried and tested in other parts of the country. This will be followed in Oxfordshire. The key milestones are: 

• July 2026 to September 2026 – The existing councils will continue working together to prepare for the transfer of services to the new councils. 

• Autumn 2026 – The government will lay the legislation necessary to make the change. This is called the structural changes order. It will set out the new councils and how the transition will work. 

• Autmn 2026 – Joint committees will be formed of councillors from existing councils to start preparing the transition to the new councils. They will be in place until May 2027. 

• May 2027 – Elections are held for the new unitary councils. The newly elected councillors will then be able to start making decisions on the new councils. This is called the ‘shadow authority’ because they will run alongside the existing councils for a year. 

• May 2027 to end of March 2028 – The new councils will set up everything they need to take on the running of services. The existing councils will work closely with the new councils to manage the transfer and any changes needed. 

• 1 April  2028 – The new unitary councils start running services on what is called vesting day.  

What this means for council services  

For now, nothing changes in the way you receive services.  All councils will deliver services as usual.   

Once the new councils are created, they’ll gradually start to join up how they work and the systems they use. This will happen over months and years, not overnight, so any changes you notice will be introduced thoughtfully and carefully. As the new councils form, some services will be joined up behind the scenes to make things simpler and more efficient. Where changes affect how residents receive a service, those changes will be consulted in the usual way.    

The councils will prioritise minimising any service disruption during the transition to the new councils. They will also prioritise minimising the cost of the transfer.  

LGR provides opportunities for councils to rework how they deliver certain services to improve them for residents and this will be a focus for the new councils. 

Frequently asked questions 

The Government has set out their vision and reasoning for the changes in the white paper that is available on their website.  

The general theme is the Government has a long-term vision for simpler structures, more local control over services and more opportunity for growth. 

They would like elected Mayors to drive growth and provide more accountability at a regional level through the new strategic authorities. 

The government believes that devolution over a large strategic geography, alongside local government reorganisation, can drive economic growth while delivering efficient and resilient council services at a time where local government finances are struggling. 

In Oxfordshire, democratic representation and responsibilities for delivering services are split across a range of councils. These are sometimes referred to as tiers of local government. 

1. Parish and town councils

The first tier is that of parish and town councils. These councils may maintain local amenities such as recreational areas, footpaths and cemeteries, organise events or operate public conveniences. Parts of Oxfordshire, but not all, are covered by this 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 and elections. Oxfordshire has five district councils, which collectively cover the whole county. They are Cherwell, Oxford City, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire. 

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 and trading standards. Oxfordshire County Council covers all of Oxfordshire. 

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 take collective decisions across council boundaries. 

They 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 and other functions. 

In mayoral strategic authorities, mayors will have significant powers over housing and planning, including 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/ strategic authority. Strategic authorities already operate in areas such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands and the East Midlands. 

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.  

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

Creating a strategic authority would mean that councils across a wider region could work together around key issues such as transport, skills, planning and economic development. 

Parish and town councils will not be affected structurally by the changes. They will not be abolished. 

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 people have influence over their place and their valued community assets. The government committed to working with the sector to ensure that the existing structures and mechanisms for community partnership enable them to fulfil this role. It said it will work with the town and parish council sector to improve engagement between them and local authorities. This includes “rewiring” the relationship between town and parish councils and principal local authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice. 

In the short term nothing changes and current contracts continue. Please read our letter for more information