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