A guide to services and advice from the council, as well as local and national organisations, to help during the winter months.
Democracy
November 17, 2025
Thames Valley leaders to pursue devolution deal
Leaders from across the Thames Valley are progressing plans to pursue a mayoral strategic authority (MSA) for the region, a new combined authority made up of a number of council areas, which would be led by a directly elected mayor.
November 14, 2025
Five out of seven councils back the two-unitary proposal for council reorganisation
Published Friday 14 November 2025 A consensus has emerged for the shape of Local Government Reorganisation in the area after five councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire have formally supported a proposal for two new, innovative, and locally accountable unitary authorities, aimed at addressing current inefficiencies, enhancing services, and saving millions in response to the […]
August 12, 2025
Government’s proposed planning reform not “wanted or needed” says council
A council has slammed proposed changes to planning decision-making saying they will “weaken local democracy and faith in the planning process”.
July 17, 2025
Vale Leader’s Report to Full Council, 16 July 2025
I wanted to use tonight’s report to look back over the last few months and reflect on our achievements and progress since we sat in this chamber in May, celebrating some milestones as I think we should all be proud of what this council has achieved. Since I last spoke, Vale has again been listed […]
February 24, 2025
South and Vale Leaders write to West Berkshire Council on unitary council proposals
Published 24 February 2025 The Leaders of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils have written to the Leader of West Berkshire Council to support the creation of a joint forum of senior council members from each authority to support the three authorities to work up a proposal for a possible unitary […]
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 […]
January 24, 2025
The county council must make its position on devolution geography clear
Cllr Bethia Thomas, the Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council has written to Cllr Liz Leffman, the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, urging her to move swiftly to explain her council’s position on a preferred geography for a Mayoral Strategic Authority.
January 20, 2025
Environment Agency and government need to do more to prevent flooding in the Vale
The decision to drop a scheme to improve flood defences in the Thames Valley has been branded ‘disappointing’, and the government should do more to protect communities, according to the Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council.
December 19, 2024
Members allowances to rise for first time in four years
Councillors hope a rise in allowances will open the door to a wider group of people being able to represent their local communities. Vale of White Horse District Council has agreed to a rise in councillor allowances for the first time in four years, following recommendations from an independent panel. However, councillors have agreed that […]
October 25, 2024
Reservoir risks discussed and nature recovery plans highlighted by councillors
In its October meeting, Vale of White Horse District Council debated the potential for flooding risks that could be caused by Thames Water’s reservoir proposals. Among the points of significant public interest in the district discussed by councillors was a motion outlining that Thames Water has not yet addressed community concerns around the risks of […]
