Government confirms three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire
The government has confirmed that three new unitary councils will be created for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire from 1 April 2028.
Find your future new council
The new councils will be:
- Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings
- Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts
- Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts combined with West Berkshire
Explore the map to see which new council area you will be part of from April 2028.
Why is local government changing?
The government is reorganising local government across England by replacing county, city and district councils with unitary councils.
A unitary council is responsible for all local council services – such as housing, planning, recycling, roads and social care – in each area, rather than responsibilities being split between county and city/district councils.
This will make services simpler, clearer and better value for residents.
What does this mean for me?
For now, nothing changes. Your current council services will continue as normal and you should continue to contact your existing council in the usual way.
The new councils will not be created until 1 April 2028. Until then, the existing councils will continue delivering services, while working together to plan the transition.
What happens next?
- 2026: the existing councils will continue working together to prepare for the transfer of services to the new councils.
- May 2027: Elections for the new unitaries will take place, after which shadow authorities will be created to plan the new councils, but they will not deliver services. They will focus on preparing for the future councils.
- April 2028: The new councils take over responsibility for local services. This is called vesting day.