Title and introductory text
2025 No. 33
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ENGLAND
The Oxfordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
Made
10th January 2025
Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2), (3), (4) and (5)
Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (“the Commission”) published a report dated July 2024 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for Oxfordshire. The Commission has decided to give effect to the recommendations.
A draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and a period of forty days has expired since the day on which it was laid and neither House has resolved that the instrument be not made.
The Commission makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 59(1) of the Act.
Propose a change1 Citation, commencement, extent and application
(1) This Order may be cited as the Oxfordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2025.
(2) This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.
(3) Article 3 comes into force—
(a) for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after the day on which this Order is made;
(b) for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2025.
(4) Articles 4 and 5 come into force—
(a) for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2026;
(b) for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027.
(5) Article 6 comes into force—
(a) for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2027;
(b) for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2028.
(6) This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.
Propose a change2 Interpretation
(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Oxfordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2025”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
(2) Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.
Propose a change3 Electoral divisions of Oxfordshire and number of councillors
(1) The existing electoral divisions of Oxfordshire are abolished.
(2) Oxfordshire is divided into the 69 electoral divisions listed in Schedule 1.
(3) Each electoral division comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the electoral division.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each electoral division is one.
Propose a change4 Parish wards of the parishes of Abingdon-on-Thames, Bicester, Didcot, Grove, Henley-on-Thames, Thame, Wantage, and Witney, and number of councillors
(1) The existing parish wards of the parishes of Abingdon-on-Thames, Bicester, Didcot, Grove, Henley-on-Thames, Thame, Wantage, and Witney are abolished.
(2) The parish of Abingdon-on-Thames is divided into the eight parish wards listed in the first column of Table 1 in Schedule 2.
(3) The parish of Bicester is divided into the eight parish wards listed in the first column of Table 2 in Schedule 2.
(4) The parish of Didcot is divided into the eight parish wards listed in the first column of Table 3 in Schedule 2.
(5) The parish of Grove is divided into the two parish wards listed in the first column of Table 4 in Schedule 2.
(6) The parish of Henley-on-Thames is divided into the three parish wards listed in the first column of Table 5 in Schedule 2.
(7) The parish of Thame is divided into the two parish wards listed in the first column of Table 6 in Schedule 2.
(8) The parish of Wantage is divided into the three parish wards listed in the first column of Table 7 in Schedule 2.
(9) The parish of Witney is divided into the seven parish wards listed in the first column of Table 8 in Schedule 2.
(10) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(11) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the relevant table in Schedule 2.
Propose a change5 Parish wards of the parish of Chilton and number of councillors
(1) The parish of Chilton is divided into two parish wards, namely—
(a) East Chilton;
(b) West Chilton.
(2) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(3) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward referred to in paragraph (1) is four.
Propose a change6 Parish wards of the parish of Banbury and number of councillors
(1) The existing parish wards of the parish of Banbury are abolished.
(2) The parish of Banbury is divided into the eleven parish wards listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 3.
(3) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 3.
Propose a changeSchedule 1 Electoral Divisions of Oxfordshire
Article 3
1. Abingdon East
2. Abingdon North
3. Abingdon South
4. Adderbury, Bloxham & Bodicote
5. Bampton & Carterton South
6. Banbury Calthorpe
7. Banbury Easington
8. Banbury Grimsbury & Castle
9. Banbury Hardwick
10. Banbury Ruscote
11. Bartlemas
12. Barton, Sandhills & Risinghurst
13. Benson & Crowmarsh
14. Berinsfield & Garsington
15. Bicester East
16. Bicester North
17. Bicester South
18. Bicester West
19. Brize Norton & Carterton East
20. Burford & Carterton West
21. Chalgrove & Thame West
22. Charlbury & Wychwood
23. Charlton, Ardington & Hendreds
24. Chesterton & Launton
25. Chinnor
26. Chipping Norton
27. Cholsey & The Hagbournes
28. Churchill & Lye Valley
29. Cowley
30. Cropredy & Hook Norton
31. Deddington
32. Didcot Ladygrove
33. Didcot South
34. Didcot West
35. Drayton, Sutton Courtenay & Steventon
36. Eynsham
37. Faringdon
38. Goring & Woodcote
39. Grove
40. Hanborough & Hailey
41. Harwell, Western Valley & Blewbury
42. Headington & Quarry
43. Henley
44. Isis
45. Jericho & Osney
46. Kennington & Radley
47. Kidlington East
48. Kidlington North & Otmoor
49. Kidlington West
50. Kingston & Stanford
51. Leys
52. Marcham & Cumnor
53. Marston & Northway
54. North Hinksey
55. Parks
56. Rose Hill & Littlemore
57. Shrivenham
58. Sonning Common & Henley South
59. Summertown & Walton Manor
60. Thame
61. Wallingford
62. Wantage West
63. Watlington & Rotherfield
64. Wheatley
65. Witney North & East
66. Witney South & Central
67. Witney West & Ducklington
68. Wolvercote & Cutteslowe
69. Woodstock
Propose a change