Government has announced that it is ‘minded to proceed’ with the creation of three new unitary councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, replacing the current seven councils from April 2029. At the same time, the Thames Valley has been selected to develop proposals for a Mayoral Strategic Authority, potentially bringing new powers and investment relating to transport, skills, housing, infrastructure and economic growth.

For adult social care providers, the proposed local government reorganisation raises significant questions about how services will be commissioned, funded and governed in future. While the stated aim is to simplify local government, there is a risk that the care sector could experience increased fragmentation where a single county-wide system currently exists.

Particular concerns include the potential emergence of multiple commissioning arrangements, differing contract frameworks, separate quality assurance processes and divergent approaches to provider engagement, market sustainability and fee setting. Providers operating across Oxfordshire may find themselves dealing with several councils instead of one, increasing administrative burden and complexity.

The proposals also raise concerns regarding ordinary residence and cross-boundary care arrangements. Residential placements frequently involve individuals living outside their home authority area, while domiciliary care services often operate across local authority boundaries. The creation of three separate councils could increase the likelihood of disputes over funding responsibility, delays in decision-making and inconsistencies in commissioning practice unless robust joint arrangements are established.

Home care providers may be particularly affected if differing policies emerge around fees, travel time, reporting requirements, contract management and service specifications, despite delivering care within the same wider Oxfordshire market.

There are also concerns about potential duplication of existing county-wide systems, including commissioning functions, safeguarding arrangements, workforce programmes and provider engagement structures. Fragmentation of these arrangements could create additional costs for both providers and councils without delivering clear benefits for people who draw on care and support.

By contrast, the proposed Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority may present opportunities for the sector. Greater local influence over skills, housing, transport and economic development could help address some of the fundamental challenges facing adult social care, particularly around workforce recruitment and retention.

OACP's position is that any reorganisation should be judged by whether it improves outcomes for people who use services, supports a sustainable care market and reduces rather than increases bureaucracy. As the proposals develop, it will be important that new council structures maintain consistency wherever possible, minimise fragmentation and recognise that the adult social care market operates across administrative boundaries as a single interconnected system.

Read our full briefing