Our interim proposals for Local Government Reorganisation would see Oxfordshire’s existing six councils abolished and replaced with three unitary councils:
- Oxford Council - comprising Oxford on expanded boundaries
- Northern Oxfordshire Council - comprising much of the existing West Oxfordshire and Cherwell districts
- Ridgeway Council - comprising much of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts combined with the existing West Berkshire unitary
We think an Oxford unitary council on expanded boundaries is the best option to fulfil the city’s huge potential for residents and businesses – and for the UK as a whole.
A greater Oxford council would take in nearby areas outside the city that are already connected by work, leisure and business. The proposal makes sense as a local authority that is close enough to the area where people live that it can represent the unique needs of our city, including for affordable housing. It would help accelerate housing delivery to build genuinely affordable homes for residents of Oxford and the surrounding area, and create secure and well-paid jobs for future generations.
It would also ensure that Oxford is democratically represented and give the city a strong voice in a future Mayoral Strategic Authority, while providing democratic accountability at the local level: Decisions about the city and the area around it would be taken by people accountable to those who live there.
It would also enable us to reform services and better respond to the needs of communities, with an emphasis on prevention and tackling inequalities.
Size and boundaries
A greater Oxford unitary council would require extending the boundaries of Oxford into areas currently in the administrative areas of South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, Cherwell and possibly West Oxfordshire.
We aren't proposing particular boundaries at this stage; that will come later following more engagement. We are currently working through different boundary options, taking into account local geography, economic and transport links, and the Green Belt.
The interim proposals, including accelerated delivery of affordable homes within the new council area, suggest the following populations:
| New council area | Current population | 2040 population |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Oxford Council | 217k to 333k | 320k to 495k |
| Northern Oxfordshire Council | 252k to 264k | 326k to 342k |
| Ridgeway Council | 326k to 433k | 424k to 562k |
The benefits
House building
Oxford is one of the least affordable places to live in the country:
- Average house prices are now 13 times the average salary - which also impacts house prices in neighbouring areas
- 3,500 households are on the waiting list for council housing
- After housing costs, one in four children live below the poverty line
The city’s current administrative boundaries are tightly drawn around existing housing estates, meaning there is little space to deliver the significant number of new homes needed.
Oxford’s housing crisis has forced people who work in the city to move further out to more affordable surrounding towns and villages, involving commuting that has led to Oxfordshire’s roads becoming gridlocked.
A greater Oxford council would enable genuinely affordable homes to be built at appropriate densities near to workplaces in the city.
It would also mean that Oxford could tackle the housing crisis without the need to build homes in neighboring authorities, giving the Northern Oxfordshire and Ridgeway councils full control of their own housing needs.
By 2040, an additional 43,000 to 67,000 new homes could be brought forward under the greater Oxford proposals. Under our current local planning policies, forty percent of these - 17,200 to 26,800 homes - would be required to be new council homes.
Economic growth
Oxford has one of the UK’s most successful local economies:
- A net contributor to the Exchequer - generating £7.6bn annually
- Ranked the top performing city in the UK by PwC in 2023 and 2024
- Fifth in the UK for attracting overseas investment
We want to ensure that as Oxford’s economy expands and grows, that local people gain from that growth and don’t lose out. They need to be getting job and training opportunities at all levels and affordable housing for rent and to buy.
Representation
A greater Oxford council would give the city a powerful voice at the new Mayoral Strategic Authority, which would coordinate housing, transport and economic growth across the region.
Three unitaries for Oxfordshire would also give the county three seats on the Mayoral Board - ensuring greater balance to Berkshire’s six seats.
The proposals would also give local residents full control over key services in and around the city - including transport and education – for the first time in 50 years. Since 1974, these services have been run at the countywide level.
While there will be fewer councillors under a unitary authority, there will be a bigger role for parish councils and other community voices such as neighbourhood boards.
Service transformation and efficiencies
The creation of a greater Oxford council would enable us to join up services that are currently split between Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council, including council housing and social care, and planning and transport.
A greater focus on prevention and ensuring access to good jobs would be central to tackling the inequalities that drive pressure on the social care system. Partnerships are key – a greater Oxford council would work with institutions, businesses and grassroots organisations to prioritise action on inequalities, like health issues, supporting young people, ensuring community safety.
Pixel Financial, a local government finance consultancy, has estimated annual savings of between £18m and £27m are achievable across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire by reducing council expenditure through the creation of the three unitary councils.
A greater Oxford unitary would be financially robust, inheriting the 'Oxford Model' with significant assets and wholly owned companies that deliver services for the council and private clients and generate income.
Initial survey of residents
Oxford City Council carried out a high-level survey on the proposals in February 2025 using its Residents’ Panel. The panel is a representative sample of Oxford residents managed on the council’s behalf by Beehive, an independent polling company.
The survey, which had 266 responses, found:
- 82% think the current two-tier local government arrangements could be improved; 7% disagreed
- 67% think councils should not be too large, so they better meet the needs of local residents; 11% disagreed
- 61% think a single council covering the greater Oxford area would best meet the needs of residents; 17% disagreed
- 37% think a single council covering the whole of Oxfordshire would best meet the needs of residents; 40% disagreed
The council’s leadership has also been actively engaging with Oxford stakeholders about the proposals, including businesses, universities, civic organisations, parish councils and MPs.
Next steps
Oxfordshire’s six councils worked collaboratively to submit interim proposals for local government reorganisation to the government on 21 March. The joint submission included all interim proposals for three unitary options.
The government has requested that councils submit final proposals by 28 November.
Further detailed discussions will now take place between Oxfordshire's councils so that final proposals can be submitted by 28 November.
The government will decide on the structure of local government in Oxford, with the new unitary council or councils created by 2028 at the earliest.
More information
Read the full interim proposals for an Oxford Council on expanded boundaries.
