Greater Oxford option for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

As you will be aware, our branch strongly supports the Greater Oxford option for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). We believe this is the best proposal to protect our jobs, terms and conditions, and to provide greater opportunities for all staff. We also believe it offers the strongest approach to ensuring better accountability for our communities and protecting their voices and local democracy.

 

The main purpose of this message is to encourage you to complete the Government’s consultation, which can be found on the intranet or by clicking https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/oxfordshire/

 

We are also asking you to encourage your family and friends to complete the consultation.

 

In addition, we will be asking all managers and Team Leaders to raise this consultation in team meetings and, where staff are in public‑facing roles, to help encourage clients and community members to take part. You, Locality Managers, for example, are in key positions to help promote this consultation.

 

We believe that, with your support, we can ensure a strong response from staff and the community. Some people may find the consultation questions confusing, so we have attached a set of slides to help guide both you and members of the public through the process. Understanding the LGR consultation questions.pdf

 

Local government in Oxfordshire is changing.

 

These changes matter to our members because they will shape how local services are delivered, how councils are run, and how staff are employed for decades to come.

 

What’s changing?

• The government plans to replace Oxfordshire’s six existing councils with either one, two or three new unitary councils.
• The new unitary councils will be responsible for all council services in an area – including housing, social care, planning and transport – making it simpler for residents.
• This change will happen in 2028, and the government has launched a public consultation.

 

Why we support 3Councils

• Our view is that Oxford City Council’s proposal to create three councils – Greater Oxford, Northern Oxfordshire and Ridgeway councils – is the best option for Oxfordshire, and for you.
• It is the only proposal that recognises that Oxford city is different to rural Oxfordshire, with different demographics, economies and challenges.
• The proposal means each council can tailor services to meet their area’s needs, and staff and residents will have a stronger local voice in how services are run.
• 3Councils is also the only proposal that aims to tackle Oxfordshire’s housing crisis. It will do this by building 40,000 new homes within Greater Oxford – including at least 16,000 social housing units – by 2040.
• The 3Councils model is also good for growth. It could deliver 218,000 new jobs by 2050 – 65,000 more jobs than the other proposals.
• A Greater Oxford Council would also continue Oxford City Council’s insourcing model, which sees ODS and OX Place employ local people – paid the Oxford Living Wage – to provide key services for the city, rather than outsourcing them to private contractors.

Have your say

1. You can find out more and take part in the consultation by visiting: 3councils.org.
2. The consultation, which closes on 26 March, takes about five minutes to complete. https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/oxfordshire/
3. Our view is that members should support Oxford City Council’s proposal and oppose the alternatives put forward by the county and district councils.
4. We believe this approach offers the strongest future for local services, staff, and the communities we serve.

 

 

Caroline Glendinning

Oxford City UNISON (L)

office@oxfordcityunison.com

February  2026

Oxford City Branch of UNISON – Steward Nominations Open

 We are inviting nominations for members to stand as Stewards for the Oxford City Branch of UNISON. Stewards are essential in representing and supporting colleagues in the workplace, ensuring that every member has a voice.

Closing Date for Nominations: Wednesday, 25 February 2026 (by 12 noon)

How to Apply: Nomination forms are available from:

• www.oxfordcityunison.com
• Or contact your local steward directly.

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Why Become a Steward?

Being a steward is one of the most rewarding roles within UNISON. You will:

• Support colleagues by providing advice and guidance on workplace issues.
• Represent members in discussions with management.
• Shape decisions that affect your workplace and the wider branch.
• Develop new skills in negotiation, communication, and leadership.

Stewards are the backbone of our union—your involvement makes a real difference.

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Join Us at the AGM

The election of stewards and Officers will take place at our Annual General Meeting (AGM):

📍 Venue: The Wig & Pen, 9–13 George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AU or option to joinn online 🗓 Date: Friday, 27 March 2026 ⏰ Time: 3:00 PM

 

The AGM is your chance to help set priorities for the year ahead, submit motions, and vote on rule changes. This is a member-led democratic process—your participation matters!

 

Guest Speaker: Ryan Slaughter, Regional Manager at UNISON Southeast, will speak about Local Government reorganisation and its impact on jobs and services.

 

To book your place today, scan this QR Code

Reminder: Have Your Say on the Pay Deal – Vote Now!

Dear Oxford City Branch of UNISON Members,

The consultative ballot for the pay deal covering 2026/27 is now open, and we need your input to make a difference.

Voting closes on 16 January 2026 – please don’t miss your chance to have your say.
Every vote counts.

Why is this important?
This is your opportunity to have your say on the pay offer that affects you, so make sure your voice is heard.

How to vote:
Check your email or UNISON communications for details on how to cast your vote. If you're having trouble finding it, please email office@oxfordcityunison.com, and we can check your details.

Let’s stand together and make an impact. 

Don’t forget – your vote matters!

Pay Talks about to start

 To all Oxford City Council and ODS Group UNISON members,

We’re about to begin pay talks with management and want to ensure we’re representing what matters most to you.

Very shortly, a brief survey will arrive in your registered inbox from DoNotReply@branchmembership.unison.org.uk. It’s completely anonymous—no personal information is collected, and all responses are strictly confidential.

If you don’t receive the survey, please email us at membership@oxfordcityunison.com and we’ll send you a direct link.

Not a member yet but want your voice heard? 

Join today by clicking Here

Your voice matters to us.

Oxford City Branch of UNISON 2025 AGM

 2025 AGM

One of the most important functions of the AGM is to elect officials to lead the branch for the year ahead. A whole range of different jobs are available in the branch, and each one of them carries a fundamental set of responsibilities. Whether you’re face to face with managers in negotiations, representing members in a disciplinary, or helping members with a welfare claim – all are necessary to create an effective union team.
At the AGM, branch members do the following:

• Ratify the election of Branch Officers
• Ratify the election of stewards
• Elect delegates to UNISON’s National and Local Government conferences
• Vote on motions
• Every person who attends and books their place via this Link will be automatically entered into a free raffle 
• Guest speaker Roger McKenzie who is a local trade unionist and socialist 

 
Please let your line manager know as soon as possible if you wish to attend the AGM.  You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM (up to one hour) and reasonable time off for travel to and from the meeting.

If you would like to stand as a steward for your area or would like more information, please e-mail office@oxfordcityunison.com or check out our website ​www.oxfordcityunison.com​​​

£200 grants for UNISON members to spend on their winter essentials.

UNISON's welfare charity, There for You, is providing £200 grants for UNISON members to spend on their winter essentials. 

There are a limited number of grants available. But this year, there will be 24 hours to apply, starting at 12 noon on Wednesday 11 December, with the grants being randomly allocated to eligible applicants.

Karen Poole, a trustee of the charity and branch welfare officer, explains why the grant has changed and how members can access support from There for You, to see if you are eligible and how to apply CLICK HERE

 

2024 Levellers' Day

 

Oxford & District Trades Union Council has booked a coach from Oxford to Burford for Levellers' Day on Saturday, 18 May 2024.

 

We are not charging for this, but there will be an onboard collection for Medical Aid for Palestine(MAP).  Here's the link to book your seat: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/614964

 

In solidarity, 

 

2024 Annual General Meeting

 Thursday 28 March 2024

15:00 till 16:00

St Aldates Tavern, St Aldates or online via Teams

 

One of the most important functions of the AGM is to elect officials to lead the branch for the year ahead. A whole range of different jobs are available in the branch, and each one of them carries a really important set of responsibilities. Whether you’re face to face with managers in negotiations, representing members in a disciplinary, or helping members with a welfare claim – all are necessary to create an effective union team. 

At the AGM, branch members do the following: 

• Ratify the election of Branch Officers
• Ratify the election of stewards.
• Elect delegates to UNISON’s National and Local Government conferences
• Vote on motions
• Every person who attends and books their place via this ticket source link will be automatically entered into a free raffle.

 

Please let your line manager know if you wish to attend the AGM as soon as possible.  You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM (up to one hour) and reasonable time off for travel to and from the meeting. 

If you would like to stand as a steward for your area or would like more information, please e-mail office@oxfordcityunison.com or check out www.oxfordcityunison.com

 

Worried about your winter fuel bill?

There for You has a limited fund to offer one-off £200 grants to UNISON members on a low income.

Applications will open twice on Wednesday 24 January, at 8.30am and 5pm. The online form will appear on Winter fuel grants | There for You (UNISON Welfare) | UNISON National

Recent grant applications have been extremely popular and closed within a matter of minutes, so please do check the eligibility criteria, ensure you have your UNISON membership number to hand and consider setting a reminder if you wish to apply.

Check out Winter fuel grants | There for You (UNISON Welfare) | UNISON National to see if you eligible.

Consultation ballot about to open

On Wednesday 06 December 2023 UNISON will be starting a consultation ballot on the latest pay offer that will cover the next two years.

 You will very soon recive an email giving you details about the offer and how to cast your vote, If you have any question about the offer and how it will affect you please talk to your local steward or email office@oxfordcityunison.com

 

If you have not recived yours by Monday and have checked your spam folder please email office@oxfordcityunison.com

Your voice matters

Are your UNISON Membership details up to date?

 

Now more than ever is the time to ensure that we hold the correct and up-to-date details for you, particularly your email address.

 

The Branch is always looking to improve communication with our members, to update or check just log into myUNISON. This is a fairly easy process and only takes a few minutes.

 

All you need to do is visit https:// www.unison.org.uk/my-unison and follow the steps for registration. You will require your UNISON membership number.

 

Once you register you can update your details, including adding an e-mail address if there isn’t one already on your membership file. Alternatively, you can contact the Branch Office at office@oxfordcityunison.com

Oxford City Branch of UNISON Office

Please note on Monday 30 October the UNISON office in the Town Hall will be closed to all for one week for essential maintenance work

If you need help we will still be available at the end of the phone for you.

Don't believe the noise

"Join us in standing together for solidarity. Ignore any distractions and be a part of our mission. Let's rise up together as one.

 hashtag #TogetherWeRise."

Are your details up to Date

 

Mental wellbeing tips

We all need good mental health and well-being – it's essential to living happy and healthy lives and can help us sleep better, feel better, do the things we want to do and have more positive relationships. It can also help us deal with difficult times in the future.

Try this quick Mind Plan quiz to get personalised suggestions now, or find other tips, advice and support to help boost your mental well-being.

Click here for more info and support

Mental health issues

 We all have mental health, and life is full of ups and downs for us all.

Here you will find expert advice, practical tips, and plenty of help and support if you're stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep – or get Your Mind Plan and discover what works for you.

Click here for more information and support 

Dealing with loneliness

Loneliness can affect us all, at any time of our lives. We might live in a busy city or a rural location, on our own or with others and still feel isolated.

Understanding our own reasons for feeling lonely and how to manage it can make a big difference to our mental well-being. And although it can be difficult to talk about, sharing our feelings of loneliness can encourage others to talk too.

To find out about possible signs of loneliness, reasons we feel lonely and ways to manage it, click here  There are also links to more support if you or someone else needs it.

Public services belong in public ownership.

 UNISON believes that public services belong in public ownership. 

Over the years UNISON members have seen first-hand the negative impact of outsourcing on service quality, staff terms and conditions and investment in vital amenities.

We deserve better.

Just to remind you that the National Executive Council (NEC) elections are now in full swing, and your vote in it is crucial. As a UNISON member, you have the power to help shape the future of our union by electing the right leaders to represent you.

 
If you haven't received your ballot paper yet, our helpline is now open, and our team is on hand to help you get your ballot paper as soon as possible. Call us on 0800 0 857 857 from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

When pay rises by less than our bills, we’re all getting poorer.

When pay rises by less than our bills, we’re all getting poorer. 

But rising prices don’t have to push people into poverty. It’s the government's choice. 

To end the pay crisis we need pay rises. 

Together we rise because together we can win. Join our fight.