West Berkshire considers options for new unitary authority

Published: 24 February 2025

In December, the government announced that two-tier councils (county and district) are to be abolished and replaced by unitary authorities. It will also look for each unitary authority to provide services for a population of around 500,000 people.

West Berkshire Council (WBC) already is a unitary authority but covers only around 170,000 residents, meaning the government will look for it to join with other authorities.

As a result, WBC has started discussions with neighbouring local authorities to inform proposals on the future of councils in the area.

The government proposals also set out the intention of creating Strategic Authorities (SAs)to devolve some powers from central government and enable more local decision-making. The new SAs will be formed on the basis of established economic or public sector boundaries.

Policing and health boundaries already encompass Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, so opportunities with both Berkshire and Oxfordshire will be looked at when considering suitable partners.

WBC councillors and officers are currently in discussions with South Oxfordshire, Vale of the White Horse District Councils, and the other five Berkshire unitary authorities about different options. Discussions have included the possibility of a new unitary council combining West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White Horse.

A cross-party group of councillors – the Member Devolution Advisory Group – has been formed and is due to have its first meeting in early March. Initial proposals must be submitted by 21 March with final plans required by 28 November 2025.

District, County and Unitary Councils – what’s the difference?

You can find out more about what the different types of council do on the gov.uk website but in summary:

County councils

These are responsible for services across the whole of a county, such as:

• education
• transport
• planning
• fire and public safety
• social care
• libraries
• waste management
• trading standards

District, borough and city councils

These cover a smaller area than county councils. They’re usually responsible for services like:

• rubbish collection
• recycling
• Council Tax collections
• housing
• planning applications

Unitary authorities and London and metropolitan boroughs

In some parts of the country, one tier of local government provides all the local services listed above – this includes West Berkshire Council.