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Beat the heat in the Vale

A guide to services and advice from the council, as well as local and national organisations, to help during the summer months.

Important changes to planning, land charges and mapping services

Our new Land Charges system will launch on Monday 13 July.

Latest news

Historic buildings in Stanford in the Vale

July 10, 2026

Land Charges system to launch on Monday 13 July following major upgrade

Joint statement from Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, and Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council:

July 10, 2026

Free and low-cost family fun all summer long

Families can look forward to an action-packed summer with six weeks of free and low-cost activities taking place across South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.

July 10, 2026

Community organisations get a boost from the White Horse Community Lottery  

Community organisations across the Vale of White Horse will receive more than £8,000 this year through the White Horse Community Lottery’s community fund.  

July 10, 2026

New rates support approved for Vale pubs and rural businesses

Pubs and essential rural businesses across the Vale of White Horse are set to receive extra support following the approval of a new one-off discretionary business rates relief scheme for 2026/27

Decorative montage of landscape images

July 3, 2026

Joint Local Plan Examination Hearings 

The second stage of public hearings for the South and Vale Joint Local Plan start next week. 

Montage of locations around Oxfordshire

June 29, 2026

Heard of local government reorganisation? How does it work?

Local government reorganisation (LGR) might sound complicated, but at its heart, it’s simply about redesigning how councils work so services are easier to access, more efficient and more financially sustainable.

solar panels on roof

June 29, 2026

Wantage Leisure Centre is fit for the future

Wantage Leisure Centre is running on renewable energy following the completion of a multi-million-pound energy efficiency programme which installed air source heat pumps, solar panels and extensive insulation.

a picture of a pint glass on a pub bar

June 26, 2026

Vale Cabinet to consider support package for local pubs and rural businesses

A one-off business rates top-up could help ease the financial pressures facing some of the much-loved local businesses at the heart of our communities.

Montage of locations around Oxfordshire

June 23, 2026

What happens after the government approves a local government reorganisation proposal?

Once the government decides to approve a local government reorganisation (LGR) proposal, the real work begins. While the decision itself is a major milestone, it’s only the start of a long, carefully managed transition designed to make sure services continue smoothly and residents are supported every step of the way.

an alarm clock on a bin

June 23, 2026

Bin days staying the same, but collection times may change across South Oxfordshire and the Vale

Residents across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse are being reminded to put their bins out by 6am on their scheduled collection day, ahead of route changes starting later this month.