Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution
Updated 29 October 2026
Government confirms three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
The government has announced it is minded-to proceed with three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire from 1 April 2029.
The new councils will replace the existing county, district and city councils, bringing local services together under three new organisations. This change is designed to simplify how services are delivered and make it easier for residents to access support.
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.
The government has now confirmed it intends to pursue a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) for the Thames Valley covering Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon, Buckinghamshire which is not included could join at a later date. The news was published in papers accompanying the budget on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
You can read the reaction of our leader in our press releases:
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.
3 December 2025: Cllr Leffman responded to Cllr Thomas’s letter on the expression of interest to government.
3 December 2025: Cllr Thomas wrote to Cllr Liz Leffman regarding her Cabinet’s endorsement of Oxfordshire County Council’s expression of interest to government on a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority.
19 August 2025: Cllr Thomas wrote to Cllr Leffman urging a swift decision on agreeing Mayoral Strategic Authority geography.
13 May 2025: Council Leader Cllr Thomas wrote to Oxfordshire County Council Leader Cllr Leffman regarding potential MSA geography.
24 March 2025: Council Leaders of West Berkshire Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse Council wrote a joint letter to minister Jim McMahon regarding the proposal for a new Ridgeway Council.
21 February 2025: Council Leader Cllr Thomas and South Oxfordshire District Council Leader Cllr David Rouane wrote a letter to West Berkshire Council Leader Cllr Jeff Brooks.
18 February 2025: Cllr Thomas wrote to Matt Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner with an update on unitary discussion with neighbouring councils.
17 February 2025: Council Leader Bethia Thomas wrote letters to the MPs Layla Moran, Olly Glover and Charlie Maynard updating them on discussions with neighbouring councils on unitarisation.
13 February 2025: Cllr Leffman sent a response to Cllr Thomas’s letter of 11 February.
11 February 2025: Cllr Thomas wrote a letter to Oxfordshire County Council leader Cllr Liz Leffman expressing a preference for Swindon not to join an Oxfordshire strategic authority.
