South Oxfordshire District Council Leader Christmas Message 2025

Published 16 December 2025

A statement from Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council

As we reach the end of another year, I want to extend my warmest Christmas wishes to everyone across South Oxfordshire. This season is a reminder of the importance of community, connection, and looking out for one another, values that define our district at its best. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, enjoying a winter break, or simply taking a moment to pause, I hope this time brings comfort, rest, and the company of those who matter most.

I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to Cllr David Rouane. David has served South Oxfordshire with dedication and vision – first as Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, and then as Leader for the past four years. His leadership has guided us through significant challenges and achievements, always with a focus on improving the lives of our residents and protecting our environment. On behalf of the council and our community, thank you, David, for your commitment and hard work. We wish you all the very best for the future.

As the new leader, I am very much looking forward to the year ahead. I’m proud to take on the new role – having served as a councillor since 2019 and on the Cabinet as Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Housing and Community Hub.

We know that for many people, this year has brought real difficulties. As a council, we see these challenges every day and we remain firmly in your corner. We may not be able to change national circumstances overnight, but we can work with focus and care to support those who need us most, and we will continue to do so.

I would again like to thank everyone involved in supporting our communities. Our Community Hub Team has been out and about across the district meeting many residents, listening to concerns and needs and offering cost-of-living help including information on where to find free or affordable food and support from local groups. I’m also thankful we’ve been able to provide a variety of grant funding opportunities for local organisations who give vital help to people in most need in our communities. 

Our new Joint Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy builds on South and Vale’s strong record in preventing homelessness, while recognising that there is no room for complacency. Grounded in partnership, compassion, and early intervention, our strategy sets how we ensure support reaches people when they need it most and that everyone has the opportunity for a safe, stable, and secure home.

Looking ahead, we have important months before us: navigating structural changes, progressing the Joint Local Plan through examination, and continuing to support residents facing homelessness and cost-of-living pressures. Despite these demands, I remain optimistic about what we can achieve when we work together, with residents, with our organisational partners, with our town and parish councils and our Voluntary and Community Sector.

There is much to celebrate from this year, I’m pleased to see we’ve continued to build on our work to tackle climate change and promote nature recovery – and I look forward to the progress we will make in the coming year.  South Oxfordshire was rated among the top ten district councils in the country for its action on climate and nature, according to research by environmental organisation, Climate Emergency UK. This will be no surprise to the users of Thame Leisure Centre where we installed solar panels on the roof in May. They have been producing clean renewable energy ever since, bringing down the energy bills and carbon emissions for the site. We are working on similar plans for our leisure centres in Didcot, Wheatley, Henley and Berinsfield as well as Cornerstone Arts Centre. We have ambitious plans as set out in our joint Nature and Climate Action Plan with Vale which was published this year.  And once again with your help, we remain the top area for recycling in England!

It has been another great year for our continued investment in leisure facilities – fostering communities where residents can live healthy lives. Our recent investments – including two new studios at the Didcot Wave – have focussed on quality, accessibility and sustainability and I look forward to more great projects like this coming to fruition next year.

As the year draws to a close, don’t forget if you need help or want to find out the details of our services over the Christmas period, including emergency support information, head to our Christmas Information webpage.  And if you haven’t already booked, our fantastic Cornerstone Arts Centre is offering a magical pantomime this year to get everyone in the festive spirit. You can find out more and grab your tickets at www.cornerstone-arts.org

South Oxfordshire is marked by resilience, generosity, and countless people who quietly go above and beyond for one another. Let’s carry that spirit into the new year.

On behalf of the council, I wish you a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful start to 2026.

Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers,
Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council