Oxfordshire future in in limbo as major decision due

The national government’s reorganisation of local authorities is set to see a new unitary council or councils created – abolishing those which currently run Oxfordshire, its city and districts.

To meet its own timetable for the change, the Government must announce its decision tomorrow, Thursday, July 16.

It had been suggested by the county highway repairs boss and former leader Liz Leffman that the choice would have been shared today, July 15.

(Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

However, at the time of writing, this has not been revealed.

A spokesperson for the city council said they had “not heard anything” on the choice, concluding that it will therefore be shared tomorrow.

There are three options on the table for the authority or authorities which will replace Oxfordshire’s councils in April 2028.

These are for one, two or three new unitary councils – the options for multiple authorities would also include West Berkshire.

Rumours from Westminster that the Labour government will choose to go with the Labour-run Oxford City Council’s proposal for local government reorganisation – Calum Miller, the Lib Dem MP for Bicester and Woodstock, told Parliament that people in his constituency are “concerned” about this.

He was questioning the English devolution minister, Alison McGovern, who said she is “sticking to” a process already set out by the Government and that announcements will be made “this week”.