Residents will likely be aware of the ongoing discussions around new local governance structures that are required as part of the UK Government’s devolution plans.
Eynsham Parish Council is monitoring the potential proposals and sharing the details with our residents as best we can. We published an initial article on what devolution may mean for Oxfordshire in January (read it here: Eynsham Parish Council News: Local Government Reform (10 Jan 2025). Oxfordshire)
We have now been become aware that the cabinets or executives of all councils across Oxfordshire will be meeting during March to discuss and ideally approve interim proposals. These will be submitted to the Government before the deadline of 21 March. Final proposals will then be prepared and submitted to the Government by 28 November.
Each council is being asked to endorse a plan that outline how they are collaborating on creating a single unitary authority. The plans will contain details about the three options that will be explored for Oxfordshire. These are:
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A single unitary council for Oxfordshire: Oxfordshire Council
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Two unitary authorities: North Oxfordshire Council (created from the existing district councils of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire, which would include Eynsham) and Ridgeway Council (created from the existing district councils of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse and the unitary council of West Berkshire).
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Three unitary authorities; with a unitary city on expanded boundaries as well as northern and southern unitaries, also including West Berkshire
In addition to this plan for how a unitary authority would work in Oxfordshire, all councils will continue to develop proposals for a mayorial strategic authority for our area.
UPDATE 21 MARCH 2025
In addition to approving the interim plan submitted to the Government (as outlined above), with the three possible options for governance in Oxfordshire, councils have been making their preferences known.
West Oxfordshire District Council and Cherwell District Council have indicated their preference for the two-unitary model for Oxfordshire. Read more about their reasons in this news story: West Oxfordshire and Cherwell district councils to work together to develop a two unitary option for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire | West Oxfordshire District Council News
Oxfordshire County Council has stated a preference for a single unitary authority for the whole of Oxfordshire. In a letter sent to the UK Government, Councillor Liz Leffman (Leader of the Council) argued that "Only a single county unitary can provide Oxfordshire with the necessary scale and financial resilience that it needs, yet at the same time remain locally responsive." Read more details in this news story: County council endorses one council for Oxfordshire as councillors discuss future shape of local government
We will continue to monitor this situation and share any updates we have via this website. Please note that County Council elections will go ahead as planned in May (read more on this here).