A guide to council services over the Christmas and New Year period when the council offices are closed to the public.
Vale of White Horse District Council
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. […]
October 23, 2025
Leader’s statement – Report to Council – 22 October 2025
Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, delivered her latest Report to Council at the meeting on 22 October 2025: This evening, we have seen more members of the public come to a Vale full council meeting than ever before. They have joined us, because we all share one thing in […]
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.
October 8, 2025
Councils to take positive steps to represent communities despite concerns with Inspectors’ Local Plan decision
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have written an open letter in which they have stated the Planning Inspectors’ conclusions on their Joint Local Plan were unwarranted and lacking coherent explanation.
October 2, 2025
Joint statement from Oxfordshire’s Council leaders on Manchester terrorist incident
“We want to express our shared shock and horror at the terrorist incident that took place at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester today. “We are horrified that on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Manchester’s Jewish community – and by extension the wider Jewish community – has been targeted with this act […]
October 1, 2025
The councils’ response to the Planning Inspectors’ findings on the Joint Local Plan
A statement on behalf of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.
September 18, 2025
Council Chief stands down
After long and careful consideration Mark Stone has decided to leave South and Vale as of 30 September 2025. Mark has ably led the councils since July 2017 as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service working with multiple administrations.
August 14, 2025
Statement from the Council Leader: South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) spiralling costs.
Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “The costs of SESRO seem to be spiralling. We have continually urged water providers to consider exploring all the alternative and more cost-effective solutions seriously before committing to this reservoir. I reiterate that call today given the revelation this week that Thames Water’s reservoir faces an eye watering increase in costs – potentially up to £7.5bn!
August 14, 2025
Statement on the Botley Road walkway, from the Leader of the Council:
Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Like other residents and businesses west of the railway bridge, I’m extremely disappointed with the announcement that the new walkway on the Botley Road is near completion – having seen the new map from National Rail showing the route the walkway will take.
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”.
