Skip to content
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

Light playing on water

October 28, 2025

Concerns on the spiralling costs of South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) expressed at October Council meeting

Significant public concerns around Thames Water’s South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) and the spiralling costs now associated with the proposed development, were raised at Vale of White Horse District Council’s meeting on Wednesday 22 October.

Montage of locations around Oxfordshire

October 27, 2025

Councils set to discuss future shape of Oxfordshire and West Berkshire’s local government

Published on Monday 27 October 2025 Councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire are set to submit proposals on the shape of future local government reorganisation across the area. In late 2024 a request was made by government to all remaining two-tier areas across England (county and city/district councils) to submit an interim proposal(s) for a […]

vale of white horse district council logo

October 23, 2025

Councils ask Inspectors to think again about local plan after minister letter

A letter to Planning Inspectors from a government minister could offer an opportunity for the Joint Local Plan being developed by the district councils in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. The plan is currently being examined by Planning Inspectors who recently wrote to the councils recommending they withdraw the plan from the process. […]

vale of white horse district council logo

October 23, 2025

Leader’s statement – Report to Council – 22 October 2025

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, delivered her latest Report to Council at the meeting on 22 October 2025: This evening, we have seen more members of the public come to a Vale full council meeting than ever before. They have joined us, because we all share one thing in […]

cows at trough at tuckmill meadows

October 21, 2025

Tuckmill Meadows has some ‘moo’ residents

Meet Dorisse, Lucinda and KitKat – three Irish Dexter cows who have recently moved to Tuckmill Meadows nature reserve near Shrivenham as part of a nature recovery programme.

Dogs swimming in the pool at Abbey Meadow

October 21, 2025

Record-Breaking Season at Abbey Meadow Pool! 

Published 21 October 2025 This summer was a record breaker for Abbey Meadow outdoor pool in Abingdon with nearly 30,000 visitors coming to enjoy the facility.  Vale of White Horse District Council and its leisure provider, GLL, who manage the pool, kiosk and splash pad for the council agreed a slightly earlier opening of the […]

Vale of White Horse District Council logo

October 17, 2025

Man convicted after admitting eight-year council tax fraud

A Blewbury resident has been convicted of two charges of fraud after admitting to falsely claiming a single person discount on his council tax over an eight-year period.

An illustration of a Halloween scene showing five costumed figures—a child in a grey cat suit, a man as a mummy, two people in white ghost costumes, and a woman dressed as a witch—standing on a wooden floor. They hold pumpkin baskets and jack-o'-lanterns against a wooden wall background decorated with black bats and spiders.

October 16, 2025

Five frightfully good ways to save waste this Halloween

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are urging residents to enjoy a spooktacular Halloween without letting waste come back to haunt them. Every year, thousands of pumpkins and costumes end up in the bin after just one night of fright. But with a few simple swaps, we can all help save money, […]

An illustration of people from different cultures, races, of different ages and genders to reflect the 10 protected characteristics

October 16, 2025

Roadshow celebrates equality and diversity across the districts 

‘What does equality mean to you?’ – that’s a question officers from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils will be asking residents on their Equalities Roadshows starting on Tuesday 21 October.  Council officers will be travelling across the districts to speak to the public about what the councils are doing to support […]

Decorative montage of landscape images

October 8, 2025

Councils to take positive steps to represent communities despite concerns with Inspectors’ Local Plan decision

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have written an open letter in which they have stated the Planning Inspectors’ conclusions on their Joint Local Plan were unwarranted and lacking coherent explanation.