UK Government Replaces Oxfordshire Councils With Three Unitary Authorities

The British government will abolish Oxfordshire's current county, city, and district councils, replacing them with three new unitary authorities starting in April 2028. The reorganization creates the Greater Oxford Council, North Oxfordshire Council, and Ridgeway Council, which includes West Berkshire. Each new authority will manage planning, transport, and social care.

The Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed it will not review the decision despite a petition from Oxfordshire County Council leader Tim Bearder to the Prime Minister. The government rejected the county's preference for a single-authority 'One Oxfordshire' plan, instead adopting a three-council model supported by the Labour-run Oxford City Council.

Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown argued that the three-council structure maintains local decision-making while generating nearly £50 million in savings. Government officials stated that the reorganization aims to accelerate the construction of homes and infrastructure and improve public services to boost regional growth.