Oxford & Shires and Ridgeway Councils
Overview
Two new councils, a shared commitment to our local communities.
We want to shape a simpler, stronger future for local government in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
We’re proposing a bold but balanced change to tackle the government's plans to replace the current two-tier system in Oxfordshire and the need for a larger council in West Berkshire. Our plan is to do this with two brand new councils that are simpler, more efficient and more accountable to you and our local communities.
These two councils – Oxford & Shires and Ridgeway – would reflect the natural geographies and shared priorities of our local areas. They would help bring high-quality services closer to you, and would be appropriately sized to deliver these services effectively and sustainably.
Our proposal would ensure decisions continue to be made by people who understand you and your communities.
Please head to twocouncils.org to learn more.
Why?
Change is coming to councils across England - the government published a report in December last year, which explained plans to overhaul local councils. The video below provides a bit more information on that.
We are taking the opportunity to tackle the task the government has set us in a way that truly benefits our communities.
The government has invited us to submit a proposal for how local councils should work in our area and so the majority of Oxfordshire councils have teamed up with West Berkshire to propose two new councils in a way that provides you with the best possible services, based on local community needs.
We are now keen for you to learn more about our proposal, which you can do by visiting twocouncils.org or by coming along to talk to us at one of the public drop-in events listed below.
We also want you to provide your views on some topics identified by the government, which we ask about in this survey - your responses to these questions will help us develop our proposal and ensure it's informed by local opinions.
This survey is open from Wednesday 4 June until 11:59pm on Wednesday 16 July 2025.
What happens next?
Over the coming months, we’ll be speaking with people across our communities to listen, learn, and refine our proposals. Your thoughts, ideas, priorities and ambitions will play an important part in helping us prepare our proposal which must be submitted to government by 28 November 2025.
Before we submit our proposal, we will publish a report to summarise the key findings of this engagement activity and how responses have helped shape, inform and influence our proposal.
The government has indicated it intends for the new unitary councils to be implemented in May 2028.
If you have any questions about this engagement or require it in an alternative format (for example large print, Braille, audio, Easy Read and alternative languages), please email jointheconversation@southandvale.gov.uk
Personal details?
Please note that this survey is being hosted and managed by South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils on behalf of:
- Cherwell District Council
- South Oxfordshire District Council
- Vale of White Horse District Councils
- West Berkshire Council
- West Oxfordshire District Council.
Your reponses will be stored on systems managed by South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils. Please see the Privacy Policy for details.
If you are responding as an individual/member of the public, we ask you which district you live in and for the first part of your postcode. Any personal information you provide to the councils within your comments that could identify you, will not be published in the summary report.
If you are responding in your capacity as a stakeholder, business/organisation or council we ask you to provide its name - the summary report will include this information.
If you would like to be kept informed about the progress on the Oxford & Shires and Ridgeway Councils proposal, you will have the opportunity to provide your contact details at the end of the survey.
The engagement includes equality questions at the end. All questions are optional and will not be linked to your survey answers. All information is confidential and will only be used to help us monitor participation rates among all groups in our community.
Events
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Abingdon drop-in event
From 13 Jun 2025 at 13:30 to 13 Jun 2025 at 16:30Join us at Coffee Aroma in Abingdon at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: Coffee Aroma, 15 High St, OX14 5BB -
Didcot drop-in event
From 17 Jun 2025 at 10:30 to 17 Jun 2025 at 13:30Join us at Berro Lounge in Didcot at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: Berro Lounge, Orchard Shopping Centre, 44 Orchard St, OX11 7LG -
Calcot drop-in event
From 18 Jun 2025 at 11:00 to 18 Jun 2025 at 15:00Join us at Beansheaf Community Centre in Calcot at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: Charrington Rd, Reading, RG31 7AW -
Newbury drop-in event
From 19 Jun 2025 at 11:00 to 19 Jun 2025 at 15:00Join us at Newbury Library at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: Newbury Library, The Wharf, RG14 5AU -
Wallingford drop-in event
From 19 Jun 2025 at 13:30 to 19 Jun 2025 at 16:30Join us at St Mary-le-More Church in Wallingford at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: Market Pl, Wallingford, OX10 0EG -
Charlbury drop-in event
From 23 Jun 2025 at 15:00 to 23 Jun 2025 at 19:00Join us in the War Memorial Hall in Charlbury to ask questions and have your say.
Address: War Memorial Hall, Market Street, Charlbury, OX7 3QW -
Kidlington drop-in event
From 23 Jun 2025 at 15:00 to 23 Jun 2025 at 19:00Join us at Exeter Hall in Kidlington to ask questions and have your say.
Address: Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AB -
Bicester drop-in event
From 24 Jun 2025 at 15:00 to 24 Jun 2025 at 19:00Join us at the John Paul II Centre in Bicester to ask questions and have your say.
Please note the change in location from previous listings.
Address: John Paul II Centre, The Causeway, Bicester, OX26 6AW -
Hungerford drop-in event
From 25 Jun 2025 at 11:00 to 25 Jun 2025 at 14:00Join us at Hungerford Library at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: Hungerford Library, 2 Church St, RG17 0JG -
Wantage drop-in event
From 25 Jun 2025 at 13:00 to 25 Jun 2025 at 16:00Join us at The Beacon in Wantage at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: The Beacon, Portway, OX12 9BX -
Faringdon drop-in event
From 27 Jun 2025 at 10:30 to 27 Jun 2025 at 13:30Join us at the Old Crown Coach Inn at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: Old Crown Coach Inn, 25 Market Pl, SN7 7HU -
Headington drop-in event
From 27 Jun 2025 at 15:00 to 27 Jun 2025 at 19:00Join us at Old Headington Village Hall to ask questions and have your say.
Address: Old Headington Village Hall, Dunstand Road, Oxford, OX3 9B -
Northbrook Street event
From 28 Jun 2025 at 11:30 to 28 Jun 2025 at 14:30Come and speak to councillors and officers on Northbrook Street in Newbury to ask questions and have your say.
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Jericho drop-in event
From 30 Jun 2025 at 15:00 to 30 Jun 2025 at 19:00Join us at Jericho Community Centre to ask questions and have your say.
Address: Jericho Community Centre, 33A Canal Street, Oxford, OX2 6BQ -
Henley-on-Thames drop-in event
From 1 Jul 2025 at 14:30 to 1 Jul 2025 at 17:30Join us at Henley-on-Thames Town Hall at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: Henley Town Hall, Council Offices, Market Pl, RG9 2AQ -
Florence Park drop-in event
From 2 Jul 2025 at 15:00 to 2 Jul 2025 at 19:00Join us at Florence Park Community Centre to ask questions and have your say.
Address: Florence Park Community Centre, Cornwallis Road, Oxford, OX4 3NH -
Thame drop-in event
From 4 Jul 2025 at 10:30 to 4 Jul 2025 at 13:30Join us at Thame Town Hall at our drop-in event to chat with us, ask questions and have your say.
Address: Thame Town Hall, High St, OX9 3DP -
Banbury drop-in event
From 7 Jul 2025 at 15:00 to 7 Jul 2025 at 19:00Join us at Banbury Town Hall to ask questions and have your say.
Address: Banbury Town Hall, Bridge Street, Banbury OX16 5QB -
Bampton drop-in event
From 8 Jul 2025 at 15:00 to 8 Jul 2025 at 19:00Join us at Bampton Village Hall to ask questions and have your say.
Address: Bampton Village Hall, Market Square, OX18 2JH -
Witney drop-in event
From 10 Jul 2025 at 15:00 to 10 Jul 2025 at 19:00Join us at Unit 14a, Marriotts Walk in Witney to ask questions and have your say.
Address: Unit 14a, Marriotts Walk, Witney, OX28 6GW
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- Anyone from any background
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