Senior councillors have expressed alarm that taxpayers in Oxfordshire could be asked to shoulder the burden of debts carried by West Berkshire Council after government plans were published to create a new unitary authority called Ridgeway.
Financial strain at centre of boundary change debate
The proposed Ridgeway Council would bring together areas currently administered by West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. The decision to move to three new unitary authorities in Oxfordshire was confirmed by the former Communities Secretary on 16 July, ahead of a change of prime minister later in the week.
Concerns over West Berkshire’s finances have been raised publicly by councillors in Oxfordshire. Councillor Glynis Phillips (Labour) warned that residents across the new authority should not be asked to pay off debts tied to West Berkshire. The county leader, Tim Bearder (Liberal Democrat), has said he will write to the new Prime Minister requesting a review of the reorganisation decision because of these financial uncertainties.
"We as Oxfordshire need to make sure that Oxfordshire residents do not pay off West Berkshire's debts."
Government support and repayment obligations
West Berkshire has received exceptional financial support from central government in recent months to avert a deeper fiscal crisis. In February the Government agreed in principle to a loan of more than £30 million to prevent an effective declaration of bankruptcy. This followed an earlier loan of £3 million for 2025–26, which has subsequently been increased to £20 million.
Those day-to-day spending bailouts are arranged as government loans and must eventually be repaid. It is not yet clear how responsibility for those liabilities will be allocated if the authorities are merged into the new Ridgeway unitary.
Local political reactions
The leader of West Berkshire Council, Jeff Brooks, welcomed the inclusion of West Berkshire in the Ridgeway option, describing it as a "major milestone in creating a council fit for the future". Other local representatives and residents have offered mixed responses to the reorganisation plans.
- Ridgeway composition: West Berkshire, most of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.
- Government loans to West Berkshire: Exceptional support agreed in 2026 following earlier loans in 2025–26.
- Political action: Oxfordshire county leader to request a review of the decision.
| Support agreed | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2025–26 loan | £3 million (later increased) |
| Government support agreed Feb 2026 | Over £30 million |
| Current adjusted figure mentioned | £20 million (as part of uprating) |
As the reorganisation proceeds towards implementation, questions remain about how liabilities will be apportioned between the new unitary authorities. Residents in the areas affected by the boundary change will be watching closely for clarity on who will ultimately be responsible for repaying government loans and how service delivery will be protected during the transition.
Local MPs and councillors will face pressure to set out practical plans for dealing with any inherited debts and to explain what safeguards will be in place to prevent taxpayers in the new Ridgeway area from bearing an unfair share of West Berkshire’s financial obligations.
