Archive for category: News

Five councils launch two-unitary proposal for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire and seek residents’ views on how local government could be improved

Change is coming to local government across England, and five councils are working together to propose two strong and locally accountable unitary authorities for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

The government will replace the current two-tier system of local government, which consists of district and county councils, with new unitary authorities. It also wants smaller existing unitary councils, like West Berkshire, to reorganise so they cover areas of around 500,000 people.

The government wishes for councils to work together on plans for how these new unitary councils will work. As a result, the majority of the Oxfordshire authorities have teamed up with West Berkshire to work together positively and constructively on a proposal that meets the government’s criteria and also provides an option for a better future for both Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. This proposal would deliver better services while retaining a close link to local communities.

The proposal – which is one of three being put forward for the area – is for two new unitary councils with the working titles of Oxford and Shires Council and Ridgeway Council. It aims to create strong, financially stable councils that provide high-quality, cost-effective, and locally driven services.

• Oxford and Shires Council would comprise all of the existing district areas of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire.
• Ridgeway Council would be made up of the whole of West Berkshire Council’s area and all of the existing district areas of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

While the councils would be new, there would be strong continuity of services for residents, with the existing social care provision at West Berkshire Council and Oxfordshire County Council continuing as part of the new councils. This would ensure that those in need continue to receive their support without costly disaggregation of their services, which the government wants to avoid.

Having two councils in Oxfordshire would mean the councils are large enough to meet the government’s size criteria and be financially viable, but small enough to be tailored to the needs of the individual areas they cover.

The proposal will also focus on how the new councils can bring real economic benefits to the communities they serve, strengthening existing business partnerships and forging new ones in both urban and rural settings. The two-council model will also provide a suitable platform to address local priorities such as building the right homes in the right places, protecting the environment, improving roads and other infrastructure, and tackling issues like flooding and sewage pollution.

The new unitary councils will be forward-looking, innovative and modern. They will have historical community connections at their heart and build on a strong sense of local identity that runs throughout the area.

The councils will launch a comprehensive public engagement exercise from 4 June to 15 July to gather views that will help ensure the final proposals reflect the needs and aspirations of residents.

Residents can share their thoughts by taking part in the online survey by visiting twocouncils.org

They can also attend one of the engagement events held throughout Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. Details of these events are below. The councils will also start meeting with local stakeholders to let them feed into the proposal.

To find out more about the two-unitary proposal, visit twocouncils.org

Details of the engagement events:

This is another road closure from OCC:

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice – S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure and “No Waiting” restriction at – Kingston Blount/Crowell –  Site 25: B4009

In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate carriageway surface dressing works.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate from 12/06/2025 to and include 15/06/2025 (each day from 04:00hrs to 18:00hrs).

The “No Waiting” restriction means that wherever there are in place yellow “No Waiting” cones, you will not be able to park vehicles on the highway.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles, local buses and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and restriction and also the alternative route for traffic is attached.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.

The Parish 2024-25 Audit has been submitted to the external auditor. The public have the right to inspect the unaudited accounts – by appointment only. Email .

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are encouraging residents to think twice before booking a bulky waste collection – because that old cupboard, television, table or unwanted bookcase might still have plenty of life left in it.

As part of a new campaign, the councils are highlighting that there are many smart, sustainable – and often free – alternatives to throwing items away. Whether it’s selling, donating, repairing or rehoming, a little extra effort can reduce waste, save money and even help others.

If an item is still usable – before residents book a bulky waste collection or take it to a recycling centre, we are encouraging them to please check to see if they could:

• Freecycle itor give it away on social / community platforms.
• Sell iton sites like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or eBay.
• Donate it– get in touch with local charities or community action groups to check if they collect or accept bulky items in good condition.
• Repair or upcycle it– ask a local repair café or friend for help.
• Check with retailers– they should pick up the old electrical item for recycling when they’re dropping off your new one.

Local charity shops, repair cafés and community groups across the districts are often happy to take on good quality furniture or help to bring broken items back to life. Residents are encouraged to check locally before deciding to throw anything away.

And if an item doesn’t shift right away, don’t give up! Rehoming things can take a little time, but it’s worth it and it will be helping the community and the planet.

For more information and advice, visit southandvale.gov.uk/reuse

Important information about upholstered furniture

Some household furniture items like sofas, armchairs, bean bags, futons, and office chairs may contain harmful chemicals called POPs (persistent organic pollutants), especially if they are upholstered with leather, synthetic leather, fabric, or foam. You must treat these items as POPs waste unless you can prove they don’t contain POPs. These items must be handled separately from regular bulky waste

New rules mean that any item that might contain POPs must be disposed of separately from other items, they can’t be reused or passed on, and must not be broken down, even if they are longer than six feet. 

Anyone needing to dispose of an unwanted sofa or upholstered furniture should book a bulky waste collection or arrange for it to be taken to their local Household Waste and Recycling Centre.

Items like wooden chairs without upholstery, mattresses, curtains, blinds, and beds are not considered domestic seating and usually don’t contain POPs.

Disposal of old electrical items

Many retailers are required to take old bulky electrical items away when delivering a new one.  For more information, please check the Electrical waste: retailer and distributor responsibilities.

Booking a bulky waste collection

If a bulky item is broken beyond repair or can’t be reused, you can book a collection via southoxon.gov.uk/bulkywaste or whitehorsedc.gov.uk/bulkywaste

Don’t risk a fine – dispose of bulky items legally

If you pay someone to remove your waste, you must ensure that the waste items will be transported and disposed of legally.  If you pay someone to remove items from your property which are then fly-tipped, you could also be fined or prosecuted.  To find out how to stay legal, visit whitehorsedc.gov.uk/removingwaste / southoxon.gov.uk/removingwaste