A guide to council services over the Christmas and New Year period when the council offices are closed to the public.
Latest news
October 29, 2025
Five councils launch ambitious plan for local government reform
Change is coming to local government across England, and five councils have worked together to create a proposal for two new, innovative and locally accountable unitary authorities for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire that will tackle existing inefficiencies, improve services, and support local communities in response to the government’s call for reform of council structures.
October 29, 2025
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.
October 28, 2025
Council leader expresses deep concerns for proposed reservoir at busy October Council Meeting
Vale of White Horse District Council’s Leader, Bethia Thomas, reflected on the major topics dominating recent weeks at the October Council meeting, including the proposed Thames Water reservoir, the status of the Joint Local Plan and Local Government Reorganisation at the busy meeting on Wednesday 22 October. In her Leader’s statement, Cllr Bethia Thomas, expressed […]
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.
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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.
