• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Friday September 11 2026

Plans to merge Berkshire councils put on ice

Plans to merge West Berkshire Council with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse into a new Ridgeway Council have been put on ice after the Government paused its local government reorganisation programme.

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner announced the review on Monday “in light of legal advice,” halting the merger that was due to create three new unitary authorities across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire by April 2028.

The decision means planned “shadow elections” to the Ridgeway Council in May 2027 will not go ahead, with West Berkshire Council elections taking place instead on existing boundaries.

Political parties across the district now face having to accelerate their polling plans, having not expected to go to the polls until 2028.

West Berkshire Council, which has been balancing its books with £50 million in Exceptional Financial Support from central government, had estimated the reorganisation could deliver annual savings of up to £59.8 million.

Council finance chiefs say it is “too soon” to know the financial consequences of the halt, as they return to the drawing board on long-term plans.

A council spokesperson said: “We are disappointed by the Government’s decision to pause local government reorganisation. We have been clear that creating a new Ridgeway Council would deliver better services for residents and significant savings for taxpayers.”

The authority added that it had invested “significant time and resources” in preparing for the merger and would now await further guidance from ministers.

Council leader Jeff Brooks has previously described the reorganisation as a “good solution” to mounting pressures on adult social care, homelessness support and school transport, urging the Government to “crack on” with the plans.

The pause leaves the cash-strapped authority facing continued financial strain without the efficiencies it had banked on.

The Local Government Association criticised the move, saying councils had invested “scarce public money and countless hours” in the programme.

A spokesperson said: “Staff, councillors and their families cannot be expected to put their lives on hold while ministers undertake a review which is a mess of their own making.” The LGA called for a clear timetable and warned councils must not be left to pick up the bill.

For residents, services continue as usual under the existing West Berkshire Council, but the future shape of local government in the area remains uncertain.

The Government has said it remains committed to “effective and sustainable local government,” but has not set a new timetable for when, or whether, the Ridgeway Council will proceed.