Leader

July 24, 2026

Following confirmation this week the Botley Road in Oxford will remain closed beyond the end of August, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, Cllr Bethia Thomas, has expressed her deep frustration and incredulity at the further delays to the long-promised reopening. Botley Road in Oxford was originally on schedule to reopen at the end of August 2026 – almost two years later than the original timetable deadline.

February 17, 2026

Wednesday 11 February 2026 Thank you all for being here tonight. I am really glad that we are in a new home, and am looking forward to our next meeting being live-streamed – providing the openness and transparency that I know we as councillors welcome. Obviously the big news tonight is our budget and we […]

October 28, 2025

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 8, 2020

Our fantastic officers and the community groups that stepped up during lockdown have my admiration and endless thanks. A lot of work continues. I of course hope that they won’t all be asked to step up to the same level of work again. With cases rising again across the district, our officers are already planning […]

July 17, 2020

Released on July 17, 2020 Since our last full council meeting my focus has clearly been responding to Covid-19. District councils have been on the frontline supporting our residents and playing a key part in protecting the NHS. I am incredibly proud of the work our officers, members and volunteers across the Vale have done […]