As you will be aware, our branch strongly supports the Greater Oxford option for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). We believe this is the best proposal to protect our jobs, terms and conditions, and to provide greater opportunities for all staff. We also believe it offers the strongest approach to ensuring better accountability for our communities and protecting their voices and local democracy.
The main purpose of this message is to encourage you to complete the Government’s consultation, which can be found on the intranet or by clicking https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/oxfordshire/
We are also asking you to encourage your family and friends to complete the consultation.
In addition, we will be asking all managers and Team Leaders to raise this consultation in team meetings and, where staff are in public‑facing roles, to help encourage clients and community members to take part. You, Locality Managers, for example, are in key positions to help promote this consultation.
We believe that, with your support, we can ensure a strong response from staff and the community. Some people may find the consultation questions confusing, so we have attached a set of slides to help guide both you and members of the public through the process. Understanding the LGR consultation questions.pdf
Local government in Oxfordshire is changing.
These changes matter to our members because they will shape how local services are delivered, how councils are run, and how staff are employed for decades to come.
What’s changing?
- The government plans to replace Oxfordshire’s six existing councils with either one, two or three new unitary councils.
- The new unitary councils will be responsible for all council services in an area – including housing, social care, planning and transport – making it simpler for residents.
- This change will happen in 2028, and the government has launched a public consultation.
Why we support 3Councils
- Our view is that Oxford City Council’s proposal to create three councils – Greater Oxford, Northern Oxfordshire and Ridgeway councils – is the best option for Oxfordshire, and for you.
- It is the only proposal that recognises that Oxford city is different to rural Oxfordshire, with different demographics, economies and challenges.
- The proposal means each council can tailor services to meet their area’s needs, and staff and residents will have a stronger local voice in how services are run.
- 3Councils is also the only proposal that aims to tackle Oxfordshire’s housing crisis. It will do this by building 40,000 new homes within Greater Oxford – including at least 16,000 social housing units – by 2040.
- The 3Councils model is also good for growth. It could deliver 218,000 new jobs by 2050 – 65,000 more jobs than the other proposals.
- A Greater Oxford Council would also continue Oxford City Council’s insourcing model, which sees ODS and OX Place employ local people – paid the Oxford Living Wage – to provide key services for the city, rather than outsourcing them to private contractors.
Have your say
- You can find out more and take part in the consultation by visiting: 3councils.org.
- The consultation, which closes on 26 March, takes about five minutes to complete. https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/oxfordshire/
- Our view is that members should support Oxford City Council’s proposal and oppose the alternatives put forward by the county and district councils.
- We believe this approach offers the strongest future for local services, staff, and the communities we serve.
Caroline Glendinning
Oxford City UNISON (L)
office@oxfordcityunison.com
February 2026
