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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

October 24, 2024

Leader’s Report to Council

As reported by Cllr Bethia Thomas to the Vale of White Horse District Council meeting on Wednesday 23 October 2024. The last time we assembled here members spoke positively about endorsing the Joint Local Plan and we voted unanimously to take it forward to its next stage, giving everyone the opportunity to make final comments […]

Cllr Coleman with volunteers at the Sustainable Wantage Clothes Swap

October 23, 2024

Rethink waste with a trip to a local repair café!

As part of a big drive to rethink waste, residents are encouraged to check out the range of repair cafés, libraries of things, community larders, clothes swaps and other great reuse initiatives happening in their local area.

An orange bike repair station in the ground with a stand a pump

October 21, 2024

Free repair stations make getting on your bike even easier

Cyclists in Didcot can now make fixes on the go following the introduction of some bike repair stations.

October 18, 2024

People in Oxfordshire urged to have their say on local nature recovery

Oxfordshire residents, landowners, businesses, farmers and other organisations are being offered the chance to help shape the priorities for recovering areas of nature and wildlife across the county.  

Extra garden waste in a wheelbarrow

October 17, 2024

Brown bin subscribers can have extra garden waste collected this Autumn

Residents who are subscribed to the district council brown bin garden waste service in South Oxfordshire or the Vale of White Horse can have extra garden waste collected for free, on their normal collection day only, between 28 October and 8 November. You can put out a maximum of up to four additional sacks of garden […]

have your say on council tax for long term empty properties

October 16, 2024

Have your say on proposed changes to council tax premium for long-term empty properties

Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils have launched a public survey on proposals to reduce the minimum timeframe to charge a council tax premium on long-term empty properties.

a photo of a woman receiving food from a street trader

October 16, 2024

Have your say: Councils propose updates to boost street trading and cut plastic waste

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are reviewing their joint Street Trading Policy for the first time in over a decade and they want your input! Street trading has thrived in recent years and, with the current policy dating back to 2011, the councils are proposing updates to ensure it encourages the […]

October 9, 2024

Councils prevent rise in local homelessness despite an increase in demand on services

As global attention turns to World Homeless Day, Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils have managed to keep local homeless levels low despite an increase in demand on services.

October 8, 2024

Get active, enjoy shows and Halloween fun this October half-term

Children and their families can enjoy free and low-cost entertainment and Halloween themed activities during the upcoming half-term holiday, from 27 October to 1 November. Get out and about with the Halloween Xplorer navigation challenge in Benson and Wantage or get active indoors with pickleball in Abingdon and Born to Move fitness classes and Family […]

retrofit roof insulation

October 7, 2024

Community groups get more than £140,000 for climate-friendly projects

Communities across the Vale will soon be benefitting from new insulation and low energy lighting at shared buildings, as well as electric vehicle chargers, a new electric bike scheme and a new repair café thanks to help from the Vale of White Horse District Council’s Climate Action Fund.