Proposals for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire

Given the diversity of communities across Oxfordshire — including rural areas, market towns and the city — our member councils reflect a wide range of local priorities and perspectives. We therefore respectfully ask that due consideration be given to their individual responses to Questions 1 to 6 of this consultation. We are not in a position to provide a single collective view on those questions. Instead, this submission focuses on the questions where we are able to represent a shared position on behalf of our member councils.

Key Messages

• Town and parish councils are essential partners in any new governance model

• Reorganisation must deliver genuine devolution to the most local level

• Strong local representation must be protected and enhanced

• Oxfordshire’s rural and urban diversity must be reflected in future structures

• Efficiency and financial sustainability must be demonstrated, but not at the expense of responsiveness or accountability

• Clear governance and transparency must underpin any change

This response is submitted on behalf of town and parish councils across Oxfordshire and reflects evidence from responses to a questionnaire from across all districts and the city.

Town and parish councils are the foundation of local democracy and community engagement. They must be central to any reorganisation. Future arrangements must enable this tier to operate effectively as a partner in governance, representation and service delivery.

The evidence from Oxfordshire demonstrates a consistent expectation that reform must balance efficiency, financial sustainability and simplification with strong local representation, responsiveness and accountability.

Question 7
To what extent do you agree or disagree that establishing the councils in this proposal will support devolution arrangements?

Results of our survey show a clear expectation that devolution must extend beyond principal authorities to the most local level, with powers and resources transferred accordingly. Decision-making should remain as close to communities as possible.

There is concern that larger unitary structures risk centralising power rather than devolving it. Respondents consistently emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong local voice and ensuring governance remains close to communities.

For devolution to be meaningful, the proposal must:

• Recognise town and parish councils as delivery partners where they have the capacity and willingness to engage

• Ensure devolution of services and assets where desired are matched with sustainable funding

• Demonstrate how efficiencies and financial sustainability will be achieved without reducing local responsiveness

Devolution must be intentional, clearly designed and properly resourced. It will not arise automatically from reorganisation.

Question 8
To what extent do you agree or disagree that the proposal enables stronger community engagement and neighbourhood empowerment?

Town and parish councils already provide the primary mechanism for community engagement across Oxfordshire.

The key issue is whether the proposal strengthens this established role. Concerns were raised that larger authorities may become more remote, weakening the connection between communities and decision-makers. Maintaining proximity between governance and residents is viewed as essential to effective local democracy.

While simplification and efficiency are legitimate objectives, they must not undermine accountability, accessibility or service responsiveness.

Neighbourhood empowerment will only be achieved where:

• Town and parish councils are formally embedded within governance arrangements

• Engagement mechanisms are structured, consistent and adequately resourced

• Local councils have genuine influence over decisions affecting their communities

• Rural and urban differences are recognised in service design and delivery

• Financial and service efficiencies are delivered in a way that protects local outcomes

Oxfordshire’s diversity—across rural communities, market towns and Oxford city—must be reflected in future structures. A uniform approach risks weakening representation where needs differ.

Our hope is that the new authority or authorities will build on the work of the Oxfordshire Councils Charter which was co-authored and signed by all the principal authorities in Oxfordshire and by OALC on behalf of the Town and Parish Councils and Parish Meetings.