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Winter in The Vale  

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

Latest news

speech bubble with the words what do you think about how we allocate homes for those who need them most

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 […]

February 13, 2025

Vale’s 2025-26 budget ensures essential services and excellent value

Rigorous financial planning and efficient use of resources ensured that Vale of White Horse District Council could approve a balanced and forward-thinking budget for 2025-2026 that safeguards public services, despite the challenges of an unstable national economy. On Wednesday 12 February, district councillors voted to maintain investment in key services while ensuring excellent value for […]

February 10, 2025

Enjoy a fun-filled February with free and low-cost activities for all ages 

Fun games, badminton, football and pickleball are just some of the free and low-cost activities available for children and their families to enjoy this February half-term, hosted by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.

February 10, 2025

Cleaner greener modern heating for council leisure centre

White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon will see even more activity than usual from this week as work begins on a multi-million-pound replacement of the centre’s heating system to one with a massive reduction in both energy costs and carbon emissions.

February 6, 2025

Next step forward for Great Western Park Health Centre

A new health centre in Didcot has taken another step forward after plans were submitted on behalf of the NHS to the local council for planning approval. Responsibility for delivering primary healthcare lies with the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB). A site for the new health centre in Great Western […]

Wheelbarrow with grass cuttings inside

February 3, 2025

Changes coming this spring to garden waste service in South and Vale 

Green fingered residents who use the garden waste service in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts will have a change to their service subscriptions this year.  

Light playing on water

January 30, 2025

Vale pledges to represent local communities following reservoir announcement 

Following yesterday’s announcement from the Chancellor, which includes support for Thames Water’s proposed new reservoir near Abingdon, the Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council has pledged to do everything she can to represent the views of residents and businesses across the district.

January 28, 2025

Shock at Network Rail’s disappointing announcement

Local residents and businesses will have reacted with shock at Network Rail’s admission that the Botley Road will be closed for another year and a half, that’s according to the Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council.

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. 

Road sign with flood warning and flooded road in the background

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.