In December 2024, the government asked Oxford City Council to come up with a plan for simplifying local government in Oxfordshire. Greater Oxford is how we propose to do that: One council. Local decisions. A better place to live.
Let’s break it down.
A Greater Oxford council would cover Oxford and the communities within its Green Belt that are naturally linked to the city by work, transport and leisure.
Greater Oxford would cover a region with a population of about 240,000 people today, rising to about 345,000 by 2040.
Here’s what we’d want to achieve…
-
🏠 Building new, genuinely affordable homes – including new council homes – at appropriate densities near to existing jobs and community facilities that have good public transport.
-
🛠️ Creating between 17,900 and 29,100 new jobs and increasing apprenticeship and training opportunities.
-
🚌 Providing additional bus services to villages around the city by extending existing routes.
-
🌿 Strengthening the protection for green spaces, helping wildlife to flourish, and enhancing biodiversity.
-
🏊 Extending Oxford’s community offers – free under 17s swimming, free youth clubs and discounted leisure memberships for those on qualifying benefits – to the Greater Oxford area.
This would be the largest change to local government in Oxford for 50 years.
We’ve been carrying out public engagement on our Greater Oxford proposals in June and July, including public events in Oxford, Abingdon, Botley, Berinsfield, Kennington, Newbury, Witney and Wheatley. We’re also holding public events in:
-
Kidlington – Monday 28 July, 4pm to 7pm. Exeter Hall, Oxford, Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AB.
-
Didcot – Tuesday 29 July, 4pm to 7pm. Berro Lounge, Orchard Shopping Centre, Didcot, OX11 7LG.
-
Banbury – Thursday 31 July, 3pm to 6pm. Castel Quay Shopping Centre, Banbury, OX16 5UN.
We understand not everyone has or will be able to attend the drop ins so wanted to give the opportunity for you to share your views online on the survey which can be found on the greater oxford webpage. https://greateroxford.org/
We will then draw up the final Greater Oxford proposals, which will be submitted to the Government in November 2025. The final decision will be made by the Government in 2026, with the new councils established in 2028.
