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Residents urged to respond to government consultation on once-in-a-generation opportunity to change local councils

The government has launched a consultation on options to reorganise local councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

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image showing social media icons

January 16, 2026

Councils remove themselves from “unacceptable” X social media platform

Published 16 January 2026 Two councils are removing their profiles from the social media service X in light of recent events that saw the platform’s integrated AI tool Grok being used to for activities branded as “completely unacceptable”. South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils had already significantly reduced their use of […]

vale of white horse district council logo

December 15, 2025

Statement of sympathy from Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, for all affected by tragic act on Bondi Beach in Australia  

Published 15 December 2025 “I want to express my deepest sympathy to everyone affected by the tragedy that unfolded this weekend at Bondi Beach in Australia. My thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends who have lost their loved ones because of this senseless act of violence.    “I am proud […]

hands open with a sign saying welcome

December 15, 2025

Statement by Vale of White Horse District Council on Sanctuary and Fair Treatment

Published 15 December 2025 Our unique and diverse communities are one of our most valuable assets – and we are proud of them. To protect our sense of belonging for all communities, we will challenge and address disinformation, suspicion, and intolerance wherever it occurs.    We will do all we can to ensure everyone living in […]

vale of white horse district council logo

November 26, 2025

Councils announce preferred candidate for new Chief Executive

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have published details of the preferred candidate to be their new, shared Chief Executive. A recruitment process got underway after the previous Chief Executive’s departure, and members of the councils’ Joint Staff Committee have now recommended Adrianna Partridge to be the new shared Chief Executive and […]

picture of hands holding a house

November 4, 2025

Breaking the cycle of homelessness 

Homelessness extends far beyond rough sleeping and can impact anyone, often without warning. It is frequently hidden, such as sofa surfing, encompassing individuals living in insecure, inadequate, or unsanitary housing, as well as those affected by domestic abuse.   Proactive work to break the cycle of homelessness for vulnerable people and ensure support is accessible, effective, […]

vale of white horse district council logo

October 23, 2025

Councils ask Inspectors to think again about local plan after minister letter

A letter to Planning Inspectors from a government minister could offer an opportunity for the Joint Local Plan being developed by the district councils in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. The plan is currently being examined by Planning Inspectors who recently wrote to the councils recommending they withdraw the plan from the process. […]

Vale of White Horse District Council logo

July 25, 2025

Statement regarding SESRO from Leader of the Council

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council said: “Although we were not party to the Judicial Review, we remain opposed to Thames Water’s proposal for the reservoir.  We submitted our response to Thames Water’s public consultation in August 2024, reaffirming our objections. “We will continue to urge water providers, regulators and government […]

June 18, 2025

Community is our superpower this Refugee Week 

As part of Refugee Week, we’re shining a light on those who support people seeking sanctuary and thanking communities for all they do.  The work we do to help people access accommodation and provide community integration support for guests from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Hong Kong is part of a huge team effort across the county involving a wide […]

sofa surfing

May 19, 2025

Reducing need for temporary accommodation part of new homelessness consultation  

Minimising the use of temporary accommodation* which can be disruptive to people’s lives, especially for children, is one key aim of proposed updates to how councils tackle homelessness in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.   Increasing the provision of genuinely affordable, long-term homes remains a core focus of South Oxfordshire and Vale of […]

speech bubble with the words what do you think about how we allocate homes for those who need them most

February 17, 2025

Have your say on how we provide homes to those in most need

Proposed changes to the way social housing in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire is allocated for those in the most need will speed up help for homeless households to move into long-term accommodation.  South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils are inviting people to take part in a public consultation […]