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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.

Vale of White Horse District Council

Map of proposed two new unitary councils

June 4, 2025

Five councils launch two-unitary proposal for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire and seek residents’ views on how local government could be improved

Published Wednesday 4 June 2025 Change is coming to local government across England, and five councils are working together to propose two strong and locally accountable unitary authorities for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. The government will replace the current two-tier system of local government, which consists of district and county councils, with new unitary authorities. […]

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 […]

May 15, 2025

Cabinet Members and Chair confirmed at Vale of White Horse District Council – May 2025

Councillor Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council has this week (Wednesday 14 May) announced details of the council’s new cabinet. Cllr Emily Smith returns to the Cabinet as the member responsible for Planning Development. Cllr Smith previously served as Council Leader and was co-chair of the Joint Audit and Governance Committee. […]

Vale of White Horse District Council logo

May 15, 2025

Leader’s statement – Report to Council – 14 May 2025

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, delivered her latest Report to Council at the meeting on 14 May 2025: Firstly I want to welcome you all here tonight to mark the beginning of a new municipal year. I almost feel like a veteran these days, though I know many of […]

April 23, 2025

Playground upgrade means it can now be enjoyed by all

Children can now enjoy a whole range of new activities including accessible equipment at a revamped playground in Abingdon. 

Map of proposed boundary of Ridgeway Council

March 21, 2025

Introducing Ridgeway Council – part of a two unitary council option for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire

Introducing Ridgeway Council, an ambitious proposal to create a brand-new council that delivers high-quality services, improves financial resilience and value-for-money, and ensures it is able to maintain truly local representation.

Montage of locations around Oxfordshire

March 12, 2025

Council cabinets and executives set to discuss future shape of Oxfordshire’s local government

Councils across Oxfordshire are set to reply to a government request for interim proposals on the shape of local government reorganisation in the county.

The image shows a close-up of a red charity collection tin being held by a person's hand.

February 26, 2025

Help shape new rules for charity collections in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse

Residents, charities and businesses in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse are encouraged to comment on a new policy for charity collections across the two districts. 

February 25, 2025

Councils offer help to bring empty homes into use 

Property owners are being offered support to bring empty homes back into use, to help meet local housing needs. 

Vale of White Horse District Council logo

February 17, 2025

All the updates from the latest Vale Council meeting 

The budget was the focus at the first full Vale of White Horse District Council meeting of 2025, alongside investment in housing and approval of a new council plan.