Councils reaffirm commitment to being welcoming and inclusive organisations for all
Published Monday 27 July 2026
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have both reaffirmed their commitment to providing inclusivity across all their services.
This follows the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) recent revised draft guidance code of practice.
As well as setting out practical guidance for complying with the Equalities Act, it also provides guidance on single-sex services and facilities in light of recent Supreme Court rulings on biological sex in 2025.
This guidance has been under review by the UK Government – but councils are still awaiting information as to the timeline that any changes will need to be made by and whether there is going to be any financial support for local authorities.
At South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse council meetings, both councils resolved to continue to value, respect, welcome and create a safe environment for transgender and non-binary residents, staff, and visitors to access essential services and public spaces.
They also resolved to ensure the organisations continue to work with LGBTQ+ groups in their work to support transgender and non-binary people and also their efforts to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by transgender and non-binary people.
Across the districts there are currently a range of options for visitors to council buildings with, for example, individually locking toilets in some of their venues.
The councils are currently undertaking a review of all council owned buildings to better assess where changes may need to be made – alongside working on a staff training plan, so that they comply with the requirements of that guidance and the broader principles of equality.
Earlier in July, a motion on the topic was put forward at South Oxfordshire District Council by Cllr Sam Casey-Rerhaye, the ward member for Sandford and the Wittenhams, and seconded by Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, the ward member for Goring and Leader of the Council. At Vale of White Horse District Council, a similar motion was put forward by Cllr Katherine Foxhall, the local ward member for Watchfield and Shrivenham and seconded by Cllr Jill Rayner, the local ward member for Kingston Bagpuize.
Cllr Sam Casey-Rerhaye, said: “We feel strongly that The Code of Practice creates a real risk that trans people will be excluded from essential services and public spaces, and will be barred from services they have previously had no issue accessing. By highlighting this issue we want to ensure everything is done to prevent this from happening. It is heartening to see such cross-party support, across both councils on this matter.”
Cllr Katherine Foxhall, added: “I hope that last week’s motion, and the work we are doing around these changes, goes a long way to provide trans and non-binary residents of our district the reassurance they deserve that they will not be discriminated against in the provision of council services, and that this council will work to ensure equalities legislation protects them.”
Councillor Mike Giles – Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Policy and Climate Action, said: “We pride ourselves in providing venues and activities that allows all of our customers to visit in comfort and access services with dignity.
“The motion reaffirmed the existing position of the council to be inclusive and supportive of the trans community.
“Any costs incurred by the council to change our facilities and buildings should be covered by the Government.”
Councillor Lucy Edwards – Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, said: “We have long committed ourselves to being a welcoming and inclusive organisation
“Whilst the Supreme Court ruling in 2025 and this year’s EHRC Code of Practice creates a legal minefield for organisations such as ours, we will continue to work within the law to do everything in our power to prevent anyone from being excluded from essential services and public spaces they have previously had no issue accessing. Frustratingly, we are still awaiting information and clarification from the Government on timelines and financial support to fund the changes.
“However, following the announcement of the new guidance from the EHRC, we are undertaking a review of our venues so we can assess where changes may need to be made and are working on a staff training plan, so that we comply with the requirements of that guidance and the broader principles of equality.”
Both council leaders will also now write to write to government asking for funding to be made available to councils to cover the costs of making services compliant with the EHRC Code of Practice.
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