Union warns of possible job losses in Oxfordshire council changes
It comes as the county council endorses one council for Oxfordshire under devolution plans
A leading trade union is calling for workers to be protected from job cuts under any plans to overhaul local government.
Unison voiced concern about moves for a revamp of local authorities across England, including ditching two-tier councils in favour of new unitary bodies.
The union said proposals affecting the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, North East and Eastern England could pave the way for the abolition of many district councils.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: "Local government reorganisation cannot be used as a convenient cover for job cuts.
"Thousands of council roles are at risk under these wide-ranging proposals. Local authorities are under severe financial strain following years of austerity.
"Communities mustn't lose the expertise that ensures authorities can support their residents.
"It would be a travesty if crucial public services are shut down, outsourced or sold off in pursuit of further savings across a sector that's already suffered savage cuts for many years.
"Councils are long overdue a multi-year funding settlement that stabilises local services, ensures residents can access the support they deserve and protects staff. A fair pay deal, including for care workers, must be part of the solution."
What are the plans for Oxfordshire?
The warning comes as councils across Oxfordshire have agreed to a preferred outline for devolution in the county for the option for a single county unitary council.
Cabinet or executive meetings took place at Cherwell District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council and West Berkshire Council on 19 and 20 March.
They discussed three options, one of which was a single county unitary council providing all services to the residents of Oxfordshire.
In a letter to be sent to Local Government Minister, Jim McMahon, Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, will say that a single county unitary for Oxfordshire “is the best interests of all our residents and aligns with the government’s ambitions for local government as expressed in the white paper.
“Approximately 85 per cent of services in Oxfordshire are already provided on a countywide basis by the county council. This includes adult and children’s social care, some education services, public health, fire and rescue, libraries and museums, roads and transport, trading standards, waste disposal and recycling, economic growth and climate adaptation.
“Only a single county unitary can provide Oxfordshire with the necessary scale and financial resilience that it needs, yet at the same time remain locally responsive. We recognise that issues are always most effectively dealt with at the earliest stage and closest to the communities that we serve."
What are the options being submitted?
The response included information on each of the three options being developed for Oxfordshire, in line with the criteria set out in the government’s statutory invitation.
The options are:
- A single county unitary council for Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire Council. This is the preferred option of Oxfordshire County Council
- North Oxfordshire Council (created from the existing district councils of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire) and Ridgeway Council (created from the existing district councils of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse and the unitary council of West Berkshire).
- Three unitary authorities – with a unitary city on expanded boundaries as well as northern and southern unitaries, also including West Berkshire.
More discussion is to take place as final proposals can be submitted by 28 November 2025. The government will then decide what form unitarisation will take in Oxfordshire.
In parallel, all Oxfordshire councils, with other partners, will continue collaborating to propose a mayoral strategic authority to government as part of the national programme of devolution.
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