Cherwell ( CHAR-wel or CHUR-wel) is a local government district in northern Oxfordshire, England. The district was created in 1974 and takes its name from the River Cherwell, which drains south through the region to flow into the River Thames at Oxford. Towns in Cherwell include Banbury, where the council is based, Bicester and Kidlington.
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History
Cherwell district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the area of four former districts, which were all abolished at the same time:
Banbury Municipal Borough
Banbury Rural District
Bicester Urban District
Ploughley Rural District
The new district was named Cherwell after the main river in the area.
Abolition
Under current local government reorganisation plans, all district councils in Oxfordshire, as well as the county council, will be abolished in 2028, with the district being split between new Greater Oxford and North Oxfordshire unitary authorities.
Geography
The northern half of the Cherwell district consists mainly of gently rolling hills going down towards the River Cherwell, but the southern half of the district around Bicester is much flatter. The north-west of the district lies at the northern extremity of the Cotswolds.
Governance
Oxfordshire has a two-tier structure of local government, with the five district councils (including Cherwell District Council) providing district-level services, and Oxfordshire County Council providing county-level services.
Political control
The council has been under no overall control since the 2023 election. Prior to that election, the Conservatives had held a majority of the seats on the council since 2000. Following the 2024 election a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and one independent councillor would took charge of the council as a minority administration. Following the 2026 election a similar coalition of the Liberal Democrats and Greens formed to run the council, holding a majority of the council's seats between them.
The first election to the district council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:
Leadership
The leaders of the council since 2001 have been:
Composition
Following the 2026 election,the composition of the council is:
The next election is theoretically due in 2027 but the exact nature and timing of the election will be determined by proposed reforms to local government which could involve the creation of a single unitary authority covering the whole of Oxfordshire and under current proposals would involve the abolition of district councils.
Premises
The council is based at 39 Castle Quay in Banbury, the district's largest town. The council's premises comprise some converted former shop units within a shopping centre. The council moved into Castle Quay in 2025.
Prior to 2025, the council was based at Bodicote House in Bodicote, a village immediately to the south of Banbury. Bodicote House is a large eighteenth century house, which had served as the headquarters of the old Banbury Rural District Council from 1952. Large modern extensions were added to the original house. In 2023 the council announced plans to move its headquarters into the Castle Quay shopping centre in Banbury and sell the Bodicote House site. The move, to 39 Castle Quay, took place on 31 March 2025.
Elections
Since 2016 the council has comprised 48 councillors elected from 16 wards, with each ward electing three councillors. Elections to the council are held in three out of every four years, with one third of the council being chosen at each election. Elections to Oxfordshire County Council are held in the fourth year of the cycle when there are no district council elections.
Transport
Much of the district is within easy reach of the M40, with junctions 9, 10 and 11 in the district. It also has good rail links with London, Birmingham, Oxford and the South.
Media
In terms of television, the area is served by BBC South and ITV Meridian broadcasting from the Oxford transmitter. However, Banbury can also receive BBC West Midlands and ITV Central from the local relay transmitter which is transmitted via the Sutton Coldfield transmitter.
Radio stations for the area are Banbury FM, BBC Radio Oxford, Heart South, Capital Mid-Counties and Greatest Hits Radio.
Local newspapers are Banbury Guardian and Bicester Advertiser.
Settlements in Cherwell district
Adderbury, Ambrosden, Ardley, Arncott
Banbury, Barford St. John, Barford St. Michael, Begbroke, Bicester
Blackthorn
Bletchingdon, Bloxham, Bodicote
Broughton
Bucknell, Burdrop
Charlton-on-Otmoor, Claydon, Cottisford, Cropredy
Deddington, Drayton, Duns Tew
Epwell
Fencott, Finmere, Fringford, Fritwell
Godington, Gosford, Great Bourton
Hampton Poyle, Hanwell, Hardwick, Hethe
Hook Norton, Horley
Islip
Juniper Hill
Kidlington, Kirtlington
Launton, Little Bourton, Lower Heyford
Merton, Middle Aston, Middleton Stoney
Milcombe, Milton, Mixbury, Mollington, Murcott
Noke, North Aston, North Newington
Oddington
Prescote
Shenington, Shipton-on-Cherwell, Shutford