Recent Government announcements have confirmed that local government structures in Berkshire will change from 2028 as part of ongoing local government reorganisation plans.

Under the proposals, West Berkshire will join with most of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse to form a new unitary authority, known as Ridgeway Council. Local government arrangements across the rest of Berkshire will remain unchanged for now, although options for further reform continue to be explored.

The creation of Ridgeway Council will lead to significant changes in how public services are delivered across the area. As a result, voluntary and community organisations may experience a period of transition and uncertainty as they begin to establish relationships with the new authority and adapt to evolving arrangements.

Throughout this process, Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB) will work closely with partners across Berkshire and Oxfordshire to help minimise disruption to the support available for local charities, community groups, and volunteers. A key priority will be ensuring that the voluntary and community sector is actively involved in shaping future arrangements from the outset.

CCB and its partners will also remain in regular contact with officers and representatives from the existing local authorities throughout the transition. This engagement will help ensure that the voice of the charitable sector, and the needs of the communities and beneficiaries it serves, are fully considered during the development of the new authority.

While the reorganisation brings understandable uncertainty, particularly for staff and elected members within the current councils, it also presents an opportunity to rethink how services are delivered and how organisations work together. CCB believes the formation of Ridgeway Council could create new opportunities for collaboration between the public, voluntary, community, and other sectors, helping to build stronger partnerships and more effective services for local residents.

CCB will continue to keep organisations and communities informed as further details emerge.

For any questions or concerns about the reorganisation and its potential impact on the voluntary and community sector, please contact Tim Parry at:
📧 Tim.Parry@ccberks.org.uk