• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Thursday July 16 2026

West Berkshire Council merged in new government shakeup

West Berkshire Council is set to merge with most of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse to form a new unitary authority called Ridgeway Council, under a local government shakeup.

The three councils – covering Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage, Newbury (pictured), and surrounding towns – have jointly developed the Ridgeway proposal in response to Whitehall’s call for larger, more resilient unitary authorities serving at least 500,000 residents.

West Berkshire, with a population of around 170,000, would not meet that threshold alone, making merger essential.

The new Ridgeway Council will bring together West Berkshire’s entire area with most of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, creating a single authority for roughly 430,000 people.

Named after the ancient Ridgeway path that runs through all three areas, the proposal emphasises shared economic and demographic ties, as well as historic links.

Under the government’s preferred three-unitary model, Ridgeway forms the southern pillar alongside Greater Oxford and Northern Oxfordshire Council.

Shadow elections are due in May 2027, with Ridgeway Council formally taking over from the existing authorities on 1 April 2028.

For residents and businesses, the change means one council replacing three, with proponents claiming annual savings of nearly £60 million and improved financial resilience.

Services currently split between West Berkshire, which is already unitary, and the two Oxfordshire district councils will be streamlined under a single leadership team.

Councillor Jeff Brooks, leader of West Berkshire Council, said: “Today is a hugely significant and exciting day for West Berkshire and for the future of local government across our area.

“We are delighted that the Government has chosen one of the Ridgeway Council options and recognised the strength of the case we have made alongside our colleagues in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.

“This is a positive outcome for our residents and a major milestone in creating a council fit for the future.

“The new council will bring together communities with strong existing links while creating a larger, stronger and more resilient organisation that is better placed to protect and enhance the services local people rely on.

“We acknowledge that this decision will see some wards move from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse to become part of a new Greater Oxford council.

“This is undoubtedly a disappointment for our partner councils as they would not have wanted to lose those wards.

“Nevertheless, the new Ridgeway Council does create an exciting opportunity to build on the many strengths of West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

“Together, we can create a council that is ambitious for its communities, attractive to investment and well placed to deliver excellent outcomes for residents for many years to come.”

Cllr Brooks also welcomed the news that the authority’s eastern border with Reading would remain unchanged.