Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution
On Monday 7 September, the government announced it will review its local government reorganisation (LGR) decisions across England. This has implications about the future of councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
We are currently awaiting further clarification from government on what the announcement will mean for our area.
Read the council leader’s statement.
Devolution and Strategic Authorities
The work to create unitary councils is to help pave the way for new Strategic Authorities, which are larger authorities over an area of around 1.5 million people, usually led by an elected Mayor.
In December 2025 an expression of interest letter to create a mayoral strategic authority (MSA) within the Thames Valley was submitted to government following discussions and agreement by 13 councils within the region.
For further information visit www.reading.gov.uk/devolution.
LGR and Devolution formal correspondence
A letter was sent on 28 August, to Rt Hon. Louise Haigh MP and Rt. Hon Angela Rayner MP confirming a collective ambition to establish a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) by 2028.
On 6 August a letter was sent to the Leaders of all local authorities by Rt Hon. Louise Haigh MP and Rt. Hon Angela Rayner MP confirming the plan to ensure every area in England has a strategic authority by 2028.
24 March 2025: Council leaders of West Berkshire Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council wrote a joint letter to minister Jim McMahon regarding the proposed Ridgeway Council.
17 February 2025: Cllr Rouane wrote letters to MPs Olly Glover and Freddie Van Mierlo with an update on unitary discussions.
19 December 2024: Cllr Rouane wrote to Cllr Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council on the subject of local government reorganisation.
30 September 2024: All six Oxfordshire council leaders wrote an expression of interest letter on devolution in Oxfordshire to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
