Category: Village News
Meet the MP – Saturday the 26th July
MP Calum Miller will be at Eynsham Village Hall on Saturday the 26th July from 13:30 – 15:30.
Proposals for Governance in Oxfordshire
You may be aware of the ongoing discussions over what local governance will look like in Oxfordshire in the coming years. The changes that are coming are necessary to meet the plans laid out in the UK Government’s White Paper on devolution released in December 2024.
What changes will we see?
The White Paper sets out the Government’s intention to create a number of Strategic Authorities across the country. These will sit above the current councils and either be designated as a Foundation Strategic Authority or Mayoral Strategic Authority. The latter will be led by an elected mayor.
In the areas – like Oxfordshire – where a two-tier system for principal authorities remains, this must be abolished for a single unitary authority. The two-tier system is when two different councils handle different services, as is the case in Oxfordshire (i.e. we have a District Council and a County Council, both handling different responsibilities.)
The various Councils that operate in Oxfordshire have been discussing options and are preparing proposals for what the single unitary authority could be and how areas/populations can be divided. Proposals must be submitted by November.
What are the proposals?
There are currently three options being developed for local government in Oxfordshire. It is likely that all three proposals will be submitted to the Government, which will ultimately make the decision for our area.
Option 1: One authority
Oxfordshire County Council is proposing a single unitary authority for the county of Oxfordshire. More details about the rationale and potential benefits of this approach are available here: County council continues to endorse one council as best option for future local government in Oxfordshire
Option 2: Two authorities
Five councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire have collaborated on the proposal for two authorities. The proposal would divide the five existing councils into two new authorities: Oxford & Shires Council and Ridgeway Council.
Oxford & Shires Council would include Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire. Ridegway Council would include South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.
More details are available on this proposal on the website: Home – Two Councils
There is a public consultation open until 16 July on this proposal and a number of public engagement sessions are happening across the area. The details are available on the website. Once the consultation closes, a revised proposal will be produced.
Option 3: Three authorities
Oxford City Council is proposing three unitary authorities be created to cover Oxfordshire and West Berkshire:
Oxford Council – comprising Oxford on expanded boundaries
Northern Oxfordshire Council – comprising much of the existing West Oxfordshire and Cherwell districts
Ridgeway Council – comprising much of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts combined with the existing West Berkshire unitary
More information about the proposal and its potential benefits is available on this website: A greater Oxford | Oxford City Council
When will all this happen?
The proposals are currently being developed and will be submitted by 28 November 2025, with decisions expected to be made during 2026. Shadow councils will be established during 2027 to start the transition process, with the new councils being formally created (or vested) in 2028.
What should we do now?
Keep an eye out for updates from the various councils or on our website. The principal authorities are engaging with their communities and we’d encourage you to get involved, ask questions and find out more about what is planned and what it will mean.
At this stage, little has been said explicitly about the role of town and parish councils within these future governance structures but we will keep monitoring the situation.
West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2041 Consultation Launched!
📣 The future of West Oxfordshire is being planned — and West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) needs your views.
WODC has just launched their Preferred Policy Options consultation, a key stage in shaping the new Local Plan.
This is your chance to shape how the district grows and develops up to 2041 – it’s about the vision, direction and policies that will guide how West Oxfordshire evolves over the next 15+ years.
🏘️ Truly affordable homes
🌱 Nature recovery
🚍 Infrastructure & sustainable transport
💼 Local jobs and green growth
🌍 Stronger climate action
AND MORE
WODC has listened to residents through earlier consultations. Now they are asking: are their suggested policies hitting the mark?
🗓️ Consultation period: 26 June – 8 August
💬 Tell WODC what you think: https://yourvoice.westoxon.gov.uk/en-GB/folders/your-plan-for-the-future
Neighbourhood Plan Public Meeting – 11th July
Come to a meeting for an update on the Neighbourhood Plan on Friday the 11th July in the Memorial Hall from 6-8pm! There will be a presentation and Q&A.
The Committee will be updating residents on how they have taken feedback and developed some policies about housing, infrastructure, village facilities and lots more. Help us take the Plan to the next level!
We hope to see you there!
Update on local government reorganisation
Change is coming to local government across England, and five councils are working together to propose two strong and locally accountable unitary authorities for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.In the coming years, the government will replace the current two-tier system of local government, which consists of district and county councils, with new unitary authorities. It has asked current councils to put together proposals based on a set of criteria and with a target population of around 500,000 people.
The government wishes for councils to work together on plans for how these new unitary councils will work. As a result, the majority of the Oxfordshire authorities have teamed up with West Berkshire to work together positively and constructively on a proposal that meets the government’s criteria and also provides an option for a better future for both Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. This proposal would deliver better services while retaining a close link to local communities.
The two unitary proposal
The proposal – which is one of three being put forward for the area – is for two new unitary councils with the working titles of Oxford and Shires Council and Ridgeway Council. It aims to create strong, financially stable councils that provide high-quality, cost-effective, and locally driven services.
Oxford and Shires Council
Oxford and Shires Council would comprise all of the existing district areas of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire.
Ridgeway Council
Ridgeway Council would be made up of the whole of West Berkshire Council’s area and all of the existing district areas of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.
Having two councils in Oxfordshire would mean the councils are large enough to meet the government’s size criteria and be financially viable, but small enough to be tailored to the needs of the individual areas they cover. It is also an opportunity to resdesign and improve current council services, aswell as protecting those that are locally important.
The proposal will also focus on how the new councils can bring real economic benefits to the communities they serve, strengthening existing business partnerships and forging new ones in both urban and rural settings. The two-council model will also provide a suitable platform to address local priorities such as building the right homes in the right places, protecting the environment, improving roads and other infrastructure, and tackling issues like flooding and sewage pollution. It will be able to be responsive to both urban and rural needs.
The new unitary councils would be forward-looking, innovative and modern, with historical community connections at their heart and building on a strong sense of local identity that runs throughout the area.
Find out more about the proposal.
How you can have your say
The councils have launched a comprehensive public engagement exercise from 4 June to 16 July to gather views that will help ensure the final proposal reflects the needs and aspirations of residents. Your input will directly shape how the two unitary proposal is developed.
Residents can share their thoughts by taking part in the online survey.
Come along to one of our drop in sessions
You can also attend one of the engagement events held throughout Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
Details of the events in West Oxfordshire, Cherwell and Oxford are below. Officers will be available to listen to your thoughts, take feedback and discuss the two unitary proposal.
Ridgeway Council
| Date | Venue | Time |
| Monday, 23rd June | War Memorial Hall, Market Street, Charlbury, OX7 3QW | 3pm – 7pm |
| Monday, 23rd June | Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington OX5 1AB | 3pm – 7pm |
| Tuesday, 24th June | Bicester Methodist Church (main hall), Bell Lane, Bicester OX26 6JQ | 3pm – 7pm |
| Friday, 27th June | Old Headington Village Hall, Dunstand Road, Oxford, OX3 9BY | 3pm – 7pm |
| Monday 30th June | Jericho Community Centre, 33A Canal Street, Oxford, OX2 6BQ | 3pm – 7pm |
| Wednesday 2 July | Florence Park Community Centre, Cornwallis Road, Oxford, OX4 3NH | 3pm – 7pm |
| Monday, 7th July | Banbury Town Hall, Bridge Street, Banbury OX16 5QB | 3pm – 7pm |
| Tuesday, 8th July | Bampton Village Hall, Market Square OX18 5QB | 3pm – 7pm |
| Thursday, 10th July | Unit 14a, Marriotts Walk, Witney, OX28 6GW | 3pm – 7pm |
Should you prefer to visit an event in another part of Oxfordshire you can find the details here.
What happens next
This proposal is one of three being developed.
The other proposals are:
- A single unitary council covering the current county council boundary. This is being developed by Oxfordshire County Council.
- Three unitaries. One covering Oxford City but with expanded boundaries from the current city council. A second including the current districts on Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire along with West Berkshire. A third including the current districts of West Oxfordshire and Cherwell. This proposal is being developed by Oxford City Council.
West Oxfordshire District Council will consider the proposals later this year and decide on its preference. All the final proposals must be submitted to the government by 28 November, after which the government will chose which the government will chose which model is to be put in place. Any new councils would likely take effect in 2028 at the earliest.
Public consultation on the proposed Part-Night Lighting Implementation Framework
Oxfordshire County Council has asked us to inform residents that the public consultation on the proposed Part-Night Lighting Implementation Framework is now live on ‘Let’s Talk Oxfordshire’ Part-night lighting and street lighting policy | Let’s Talk Oxfordshire
The Consultation is running until midnight on Sunday 6th July.
What this consultation is about
This framework is about how part-night lighting could be implemented in Oxfordshire. It is not about whether part-night lighting is right for specific areas. In September 2025, the council’s cabinet will decide whether or not to move forward with part-night lighting. If the decision is to proceed, we are proposing that towns, parishes or Oxford city wards apply for part-night lighting schemes in their areas and that a public consultation is carried out for each scheme.
About the framework
The draft part night lighting framework proposes to introduce part night lighting in Oxfordshire locations where:
- the part night lighting scheme is approved at Oxfordshire Council Council’s Delegated Decision by Cabinet Member for Transport Management
- it is requested by the local town or parish council/meeting, or local governance authorities
- the part night lighting exemption criteria does not apply
- local residents have been consulted via a public consultation, as well as stakeholders like the police, night economy employers and community groups
Neighbourhood Plan – Design and Desktop Publishing
The Parish Council is looking for any residents to assist with the design and desktop publishing of the Neighbourhood Plan.
Noticing Nature Events
The District Council has made us aware of Noticing Nature events, including one at North Leigh Common on the 4th June.
Youth Council!
The Parish Council is exploring the possibility of creating a Youth Council.
Based on feedback received from the Neighbourhood Plan survey regarding facilities for young people in the parish, the Parish Council is exploring the possibility of creating a Youth Council.
The aim of the Youth Council would be to provide a forum where the younger members of the Parish could discuss suggestions as to more appropriate recreational and other items that may be provided, if possible, by the Parish Council, and feed that information to the Parish Council.
The Youth Council could also engage with the young people in the parish and discuss other opportunities to improve the parish for both young and old.
If you or any young persons in your household may be interested in taking part in the Youth Council, please contact the Parish Clerk by email parishclerk@northleighparishcouncil.gov.uk.
VE Day Celebration – 9th May!
North Leigh Parish Council and the Memorial Hall Trustees invite you to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE day on Friday 9th May.
VE Day History and Memories – 17.00 -19.00 and Swing Band 19.00 -21.00 Tickets, to include a finger buffet and band will be £5.00. per person and will be on sale at the Memorial Hall foyer at the following times:
Saturday the 19th from 9 -11am
Sunday the 20th from 10 – 11am