CHANGES that could see Oxford City Council abolished are giving bosses in Town Hall a headache.

They have warned councillors on the local authority’s finance panel that devolution could see the council cease ‘to exist’.

It comes after the Government restated its commitment to handing more powers to English regions, particularly by creating directly-elected mayors.

But council officials in Oxford are worried ministers will push for shake-ups that will reduce the number of authorities.

It has prompted them to voice their concern on the ‘corporate risk register’ for the first time.

A report to the finance panel says: “Potential changes to Local Government structures could result in Oxford City potentially ceasing to exist in its current form. This is currently having a major drain on time and resources internally and impacting on relationships with other stakeholders.

“The preferred outcome is one which ensures devolution to enable investment and continued focus on Oxford.”