A guide to services and advice from the council, as well as local and national organisations, to help during the winter months.
Council tax
October 17, 2025
Man convicted after admitting eight-year council tax fraud
A Blewbury resident has been convicted of two charges of fraud after admitting to falsely claiming a single person discount on his council tax over an eight-year period.
February 13, 2025
Vale’s 2025-26 budget ensures essential services and excellent value
Rigorous financial planning and efficient use of resources ensured that Vale of White Horse District Council could approve a balanced and forward-thinking budget for 2025-2026 that safeguards public services, despite the challenges of an unstable national economy. On Wednesday 12 February, district councillors voted to maintain investment in key services while ensuring excellent value for […]
October 16, 2024
Have your say on proposed changes to council tax premium for long-term empty properties
Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils have launched a public survey on proposals to reduce the minimum timeframe to charge a council tax premium on long-term empty properties.
December 9, 2022
Action on the cost-of-living: Hundreds of low-income households to benefit from paying less council tax
1,400 households in the Vale of White Horse will benefit from a more generous council tax support (CTS) scheme following action to help those most at risk during the cost-of-living crisis. At their meeting on Wednesday 7 December, district councillors at the Vale voted to remove restrictions requiring households on CTS to make a contribution […]
August 9, 2022
Help with energy bills – new support for those on low income in the Vale of White Horse
Households on low income in the Vale of White Horse will soon receive a one-off payment to help with the rising cost of energy bills. Those living in properties which are in council tax bands E to H and who are in receipt of council tax support will receive a single one-off payment of up […]
May 9, 2022
£500 fine for Council Tax fraudster
A Grove resident has been fined £500 after fraudulently claiming a reduction on her Council Tax. Zoe Lees, 27, from Horsa Close, Grove, pleaded guilty at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 21 April to illegally claiming more than £3,500 in Council Tax Reduction. Magistrates heard how Ms Lees had failed to inform Vale of White […]
March 9, 2022
Information for South and Vale residents about the £150 ‘rebate’ to help with energy bills
Thousands of council taxpayers in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse will soon receive a £150 council tax ‘rebate’ to help with rising energy bills. The government has announced that most households in council tax bands A-D will be eligible for the rebate however, contrary to some reports, the ‘rebate’ will not be […]
August 11, 2021
Checks on single person households to ensure people are paying the correct council tax
People claiming Single Person Discount on their council tax in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse will shortly be asked to confirm whether they are still the only adult living in their property and therefore entitled to continue to receive the reduction. Incorrectly claiming this discount can be considered council tax fraud. More […]
February 10, 2021
Extended support for those struggling to pay their council tax could benefit more than 3,000 households
South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council are to extend the support they are providing to help working age people who are struggling to pay their council tax as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The move could benefit more than 3,000 households across the two districts. In June the two […]
July 6, 2020
Support available for those struggling to pay their council tax
Released on July 1, 2020 People in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse who have outstanding payments on their council tax bill and are struggling to pay are being urged to contact their district council to find out what support may be available. An extra £150 of discount is now available to certain […]
