Consultation is open from 05 February 2026 to 23:59 26 March 2026
You can submit your personal individual views here: Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Oxfordshire – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Citizen Space
Below is a concise summary of how each of the three Oxfordshire reorganisation proposals could affect Lambourn and West Berkshire specifically
Impact on Lambourn and West Berkshire – By Option
| Option | Effect on West Berkshire / Lambourn | Key points for parish councils |
| Option 1 – Single Oxfordshire unitary | West Berkshire remains a separate unitary council; Lambourn unaffected administratively. NB. | Local services and representation stay the same. Little disruption. |
| Option 2 – Two unitary councils | West Berkshire would be merged with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse into a new authority called “Ridgeway Council.” Lambourn becomes part of this new combined council. | – New authority responsible for most services currently run by West Berkshire. – Parish council’s input may need adjustment to engage with a larger authority. – Potential changes to planning, housing, and local service delivery. |
| Option 3 – Three unitary councils | Similar to Option 2: West Berkshire merged into “Ridgeway Council” alongside South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. Boundary adjustments near Oxford may also affect southern parts of West Berkshire (though Lambourn likely remains included). | – Smallest Oxfordshire councils focused on local identity, but West Berkshire residents join a larger combined council. – Parish council engagement important to retain local voice. – Opportunity to influence governance arrangements in consultation. |
Important Note: If West Berkshire votes to remain a separate, independent unitary council, it risks going against the government’s requirement for larger unitary authorities (ideally serving over 500,000 residents).
This could mean losing the chance to form a new “Ridgeway Council” with neighbouring councils.
A potential consequence may therefore be:
- Forced Reorganisation: The government may still compel a merger if it deems the current ~170,000 population too small, or impose a different structure.
West Berkshire Council currently favours Option 2
Summary points for Lambourn / West Berkshire
- Option 1 = minimal change; West Berkshire remains intact.
- Options 2 & 3 = West Berkshire (including Lambourn) merges with southern Oxfordshire districts into a new “Ridgeway Council.”
- Local representation and services could shift to a larger authority; parish councils will need to adapt engagement.
- Community identity is an important consideration; residents may wish to comment in the consultation.
Detail
The UK Government, through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is consulting on proposals to reorganise local government in Oxfordshire. The consultation asks whether the current two-tier system should be replaced with unitary councils.
Current system
Local government currently operates with two levels:
Oxfordshire County Council
- Social care
- Highways and transport
- Education
- Libraries
- Waste disposal
District / city councils
- Cherwell District Council
- Oxford City Council
- South Oxfordshire District Council
- Vale of White Horse District Council
- West Oxfordshire District Council
District councils manage services such as:
- Planning and housing
- Waste collection
- Environmental health
- Licensing
What is changing?
The Government is considering replacing the current structure with unitary authorities.
A unitary council delivers all local government services, combining county and district responsibilities into one organisation.
Three proposals being consulted on
Option 1 – One unitary council
Proposed by Oxfordshire County Council
- One council covering the entire county
- All current councils would be abolished
- Single authority responsible for all services across Oxfordshire
Option 2 – Two unitary councils
Proposed by four district councils.
Oxford and Shires Council
- Cherwell
- Oxford
- West Oxfordshire
Ridgeway Council
- South Oxfordshire
- Vale of White Horse
- Possible inclusion of West Berkshire Council
Option 3 – Three unitary councils
Proposed by Oxford City Council
Greater Oxford Council
- Oxford and surrounding areas
Northern Oxfordshire Council
- Cherwell and West Oxfordshire
Ridgeway Council
- South Oxfordshire
- Vale of White Horse
- Possible inclusion of West Berkshire
What the Government will consider
Proposals will be assessed against criteria including:
- Financial sustainability
- Efficient service delivery
- Appropriate population size (around 500,000 residents)
- Ability to support economic growth and housing delivery
- Preservation of community identity
- Effective local engagement, including with parish councils
Timeline
- Consultation closes: 26 March 2026
- Government decision expected later in 2026
- New councils could be created by April 2028
Why it matters for parish councils
Changes may affect:
- Relationships with principal authorities
- Planning and local services
- Local representation and engagement
- Community identity and governance structures
Parish and town councils are encouraged to submit views.
Comparison Table of the Three Options
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
| Structure | One unitary council | Two unitary councils | Three unitary councils |
| Main proposer | Oxfordshire County Council | Four district councils | Oxford City Council |
| Councils created | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Example councils | Oxfordshire Council | Oxford & Shires / Ridgeway | Greater Oxford / Northern Oxfordshire / Ridgeway |
| Boundary changes | None | Possible inclusion of West Berkshire | Boundary changes around Oxford |
| Scale | Very large county-wide authority | Medium-sized councils | Smaller councils |
| Key argument | Simpler structure | Balanced size and identity | Strong focus on Oxford city region |
