Plans to reorganise local government in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire have been put on hold while the government reviews the legal position following new legal advice.

In July, the government announced that Oxfordshire and West Berkshire would eventually be replaced by three new unitary councils, with the existing county, city and district councils disappearing. The three-council arrangement was based on a proposal submitted by Oxford City Council. Abingdon would become part of the Ridgeway Unitary Council covering VWHDC (Vale of White Horse District Council), South Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

Oxfordshire and West Berkshire is now among 14 areas where reorganisation has been paused. In four other areas the government’s decisions have been withdrawn following legal challenges by councils.

Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner said she wanted to test whether the proposals meet the priorities of the new administration and new Prime Minister, alongside ensuring the process complies with the law.

For residents in Abingdon, the immediate effect is that the Vale of White Horse District Council will continue for a little longer.

The pause could provide an opportunity for greater scrutiny of the decision. Tim Bearder, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said it provided an opportunity to examine the ‘underpinning advice, considerations and evidence’ behind the previous Secretary of State’s decision.

Oxford City Council, which proposed the three-council arrangement, has expressed disappointment at the pause.

Most people will now be aware that a decision has been made on the future structure of local government across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. The proposal put forward by Oxford City Council has been accepted by central government. The proposal put forward by Oxfordshire County Council, and the other proposal put forward by the district councils have been rejected.

The area will be served by three new unitary councils (from 2028):
* Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings
* Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts
* Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, together with West Berkshire

For Abingdon, the change represents one of the most significant shifts in its local government identity since 1974. It creates a new relationship with surrounding towns and villages while reconnecting with parts of old Berkshire.

One of the biggest changes is that Abingdon will no longer be part of the same principal authority as Oxford. Instead, it will become part of the new Ridgeway Council, alongside communities including Didcot, Wantage, Grove, Wallingford, Henley-on-Thames and towns across West Berkshire.

The new arrangements creates an interesting historical contrast. Before the local government reorganisation of 1974, Abingdon was close to the northern edge of Berkshire, with Oxford across the county boundary. Under the new structure, the town will once again find itself near the north edge of the Ridgeway and looking as it is about to be eaten by Greater Oxford.

Abingdon and Radley will be like a bulge of Ridgeway Council within Greater Oxford. Culham to the south will be part of Greater Oxford, while several neighbouring communities with historical links with Abingdon, such as Cumnor, Wootton, Sunningwell, Boars Hill and Kennington will be in the new Greater Oxford area.

These communities were part of North Berkshire before the 1974 changes, when they became part of the newly created Vale of White Horse district within Oxfordshire. The new boundaries therefore create a situation where some places that have long shared local authority government with Abingdon will now be governed separately.

The main aims of creating unitary councils is to simplify local government. Instead of responsibilities being divided between county and district councils, a single authority will be responsible for most local services, making it clearer for residents who to contact.

However, the largest services previously provided across the whole of Oxfordshire by the county council — including adult social care, children’s services, highways and transport — will now be provided separately by the three new unitary authorities rather than by one Oxfordshire-wide organisation. That seems to multiply rather than unify departments.

There is more information on https://3councils.org/.

This evening at St Helen’s Church, Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council elected a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Cllr Andrew Skinner, became the new Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames. Cllr Skinner represents Caldecott ward and spoke warmly about his chosen charity, the Abingdon Music Centre, praising the positive impact music can have on people’s lives.

The new Deputy Mayor is Victoria Walker, who represents the Fitzharris Wildmoor ward. She is a vaccine researcher at University of Oxford.

Cllr Rawda Jehanli completed her year as Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames. She said it had been “the greatest honour” to be Mayor.

As outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jehanli presented a number of awards. In a change from the usual practice, two local businesses were recognised for their help and support during the year —  The Crown and Thistle Hotel and The Hilton Garden Hotel.

Awards were also presented to Philip Bingham of Abingdon Food Bank, Martin Richards of the Scouts, and Holly Freeland of The Abingdon Bridge. The outgoing Mayor also thanked her cadets and chaplains for their support throughout the year.

Cllr Jehanli announced that over £6,000 had been raised for her chosen charity, Occtopus – Oxford Colon Cancer Trust.

Yesterday there was a by-election in Abingdon for two seats:  Abbey Northcourt District Council and Abbey Town Council.

During the campaign, the Liberal Democrats predicted a two-horse race, suggesting that a vote for Labour or the Greens would help Reform or the Conservatives to win.

To people in the street, it looked like a two-horse race between the Liberal Democrats and the Greens. The Lib Dems were winning on staked banners. The Greens were winning on posters in people’s windows.

Yesterday was polling day.

The result in the Abbey ward was a close two horse race between the Lib Dems and Greens. Congratulations to Carol, from the Lib Dems, who has already done a lot for the town through her work as a Girl Guide leader.

The result in the Abbey Northcourt ward was clearer. Congratulations to Caleb. The Greens again came a strong second.