Oxfordshire and West Berkshire councils have spent more than £3m of taxpayers' money on local reorganisation so far, for it to have been paused by the government.
The Labour Starmer government in 2024 told all large councils in the county to put forward their own proposals on how they think council boundaries should look.
Eventually, the Labour government agreed to Labour-run Oxford City Council's bid for three councils.
This would comprise a Greater Oxford - essentially an expanded city with surrounding villages - Northern Oxfordshire made up of West and Cherwell districts and a Ridgeway, featuring most of South and Vale and West Berkshire.
However, last week this was put on hold by the government following "legal advice" which local government secretary Angela Rayner declined to reveal details on.
This newspaper asked all of Oxfordshire's councils and West Berkshire council just how much money has been spent so far.
Not including officer time, the seven councils have spent £3.285m of council tax - which all legacy councils expect will be made back in savings from the new councils.
A spokesman speaking on behalf of all the Oxfordshire and West Berkshire councils said: "All the councils have invested in the LGR process in good faith, following guidance from government.
"This would be the largest change to local government in our area for 50 years.
"Any significant change requires up-front investment, and we expect this to pay back in the medium to long term through savings delivered by moving to unitary councils.
"The full cost estimations were included in the proposals sent to government.
"So far across all seven councils £3.283 million has been spent on developing proposals and preparing for the transition. We have received £285,000 in grant funding from the government for this work.
"While the government is conducting its review, we are pausing any new spend.
"We expect the work and financial investment so far to provide us with a good foundation to prepare for whatever the future is for local government in our area.
"We hope for a swift conclusion to the review so the residents, businesses and employees in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire can have some certainty on what happens next."
The councils have been asked for a full break-down of all spending per council.
Dan Levy, Lib Dem finance chief for Oxfordshire County Council, recently said the authority is now "in a bit of a financial pickle because of the government's actions".
City Green group leader Lois Muddiman called on the government to reimburse costs incurred by the councils "as a result of their chaotic U turn".
And Susan Brown, Labour leader of Oxford City Council whose proposal for three councils was previously accepted, said she is "disappointed" in this decision.
The Department for Local Government has been approached for a comment.
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