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Council services over Christmas and New Year 2025/26

A guide to council services over the Christmas and New Year period when the council offices are closed to the public. 

Latest news

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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  

“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 of my family’s Australian […]

hands open with a sign saying welcome

December 15, 2025

Statement by Vale of White Horse District Council on Sanctuary and Fair Treatment

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 the Vale of White […]

December 15, 2025

Vale of White Horse District Council Leader Christmas Message 2025

Published 15 December 2025 A statement from Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council  Looking back, I think it is fair to say that it has been another challenging year – but like many previous years, I feel we have all shown great resilience and responded with determination to everything […]

December 15, 2025

Arts Centres in Southern Oxfordshire launch new websites 

Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot and The Beacon Arts, Entertainment and Community Centre in Wantage have launched new websites to make it easier for visitors to explore what’s on offer.  As part of their ongoing Action Plans to ensure long-term sustainability, these updates are key steps in enhancing the venues’ services and ensuring they continue […]

December 12, 2025

Council expresses disappointment at Great Western Park surgery delay

Vale of White Horse District Council has expressed its disappointment following an update issued this week by the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System Board (BOB ICB) regarding the delivery of the new GP surgery at Great Western Park in Didcot.

Decorative montage of landscape images

December 12, 2025

Joint Local Plan examination hearings could continue after Government announcement

The examination hearings for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils Joint Local Plan could continue after the government announced it intends to remove the Duty to Co-operate from the plan making process. Following a ministerial statement from Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, the government has indicated that […]

Image showing a map of Oxfordshire and Berkshire as part of a mayoral strategic authority.

December 4, 2025

A call for Oxfordshire and Berkshire to be in the next wave of Strategic Authorities

The Cabinets at South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have supported the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) to government for a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) in the Thames Valley region. Councillor David Rouane, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said:“Oxfordshire and Berkshire together make sense for a strategic authority. These […]

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December 2, 2025

Statement: Thames Valley CCTV Partnership 

On Friday 28 November the Police and Crime Commissioner briefed the press to claim four Oxfordshire councils had refused funds for CCTV, even though all of them remained in ongoing conversations about the plans.

December 1, 2025

Councils continue to support disabled and vulnerable residents through the Disabled Facilities Grant 

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils continue to offer the Disabled Facilities Grant to help disabled and vulnerable residents make their homes safer, more comfortable, and better suited to their needs.  The Disabled Facilities Grant is a means-tested grant providing financial help for home adaptations such as installing ramps and stairlifts for […]

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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 […]