Archived Council Consultation Responses
This page provides access to archived consultation responses submitted by South Oxfordshire District Council. Archived consultation responses are retained to support transparency, accountability, scrutiny and historical reference. They provide a record of how the council has engaged with external consultations over time.
Consultation responses are separated by year, divided by broad category and then listed chronologically.
2025
Finance
Local Authority Funding Reform – Objectives and Principles
- Consulting body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Consultation period: 18 December 2024 to 12 February 2025
- Council response submitted: February 2025
MHCLG consulted on local authority funding reforms seeking views on the approach to determining future funding allocations for local authorities and fire and rescue authorities through the local government finance settlement.
The consultation focused on the high‑level principles that should underpin funding reform, including how relative need and resource should be assessed, how funding allocations should be distributed, and how the system can be made fairer, more transparent and more sustainable over the long term.
- MHCLG’s consultation on local authority funding reform: objectives and principles.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to MHCLG’s consultation on local authority funding reform: objectives and principles.
The Funding and Sustainability of Local Government Finance
- Consulting body: House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
- Consultation period: 11 December 2024 to 27 January 2025
- Council response submitted: January 2025
The House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee issued a call for evidence as part of its inquiry into the funding and sustainability of local government finance. The inquiry examined whether the current system of local government finance is fit for purpose and capable of meeting the needs of councils and service users over the long term.
The inquiry considered a wide range of issues, including funding levels, the balance between local and national funding, financial resilience, and the pressures facing local authorities in delivering statutory and discretionary services.
- The House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into the funding and sustainability of local government finance.
- South Oxfordshire’s submission to the House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into the funding and sustainability of local government finance.
Local Government Finance Settlement 2025/26
- Consulting body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Consultation period: 18 December 2024 to 15 January 2025
- Council response submitted: January 2025
MHCLG consulted on proposals for the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025/26, seeking views on how funding would be allocated to local authorities for the financial year. The consultation also considered assumptions and provisional arrangements underpinning the settlement.
The local government finance settlement determines a significant proportion of the funding available to councils and plays a central role in enabling authorities to budget, plan services and manage financial risk.
- MHCLG’s Local Government Finance Settlement 2025/26 consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to MHCLG’s Local Government Finance Settlement 2025/26 consultation.
Planning & Spatial Development
Land Use Consultation
- Consulting body: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Consultation period: 30 January 2025 to 25 April 2025
- Council response submitted: April 2025
DEFRA’s Land Use Consultation sought views on a long‑term vision for land use in England and how that vision should be delivered. The consultation will inform the development of a national land use framework intended to balance competing demands on land.
The consultation explored how land is used for housing, food production, nature recovery, energy infrastructure, climate resilience and economic activity, and how these priorities can be planned and coordinated more effectively at national, regional and local levels.
Planning Reform Working Paper – Streamlining Infrastructure Planning
- Consulting body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Consultation period: 26 January 2025 to 26 February 2025
- Council response submitted: 26 February 2025
MHCLG consulted on the Planning Reform Working Paper: Streamlining Infrastructure Planning, inviting views on further actions that could be taken through the planning system to speed up and simplify the delivery of critical infrastructure.
The working paper focused on potential changes to planning processes intended to support the timely delivery of infrastructure such as transport, utilities, energy and water. The proposals formed part of wider planning reform discussions aimed at removing barriers, improving coordination and supporting economic growth and development.
- MHCLG’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Streamlining Infrastructure Planning.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to MHCLG’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Streamlining Infrastructure Planning.
Planning Reform Working Paper – Development and Nature Recovery
- Consulting body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Consultation period: 15 December 2024 to 21 February 2025
- Council response submitted: February 2025
MHCLG and DEFRA consulted on the Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery, inviting views on a proposed new approach to better integrate development with nature recovery objectives through the planning system.
The working paper explored how planning policy and processes could support housing and economic growth while delivering meaningful improvements for biodiversity, habitats and the natural environment. The proposals aimed to strengthen links between development, nature recovery and environmental outcomes.
- MHCLG and DEFRA’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to MHCLG and DEFRA’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery.
Cherwell Local Plan 2040 – Regulation 19
- Consulting body: Cherwell District Council
- Consultation period: 19 December 2024 to 25 February 2025
- Council response submitted: 24 February 2025
Cherwell District Council consulted on its Local Plan 2040 at Regulation 19 stage, inviting views on whether the plan is legally compliant and sound in accordance with the tests set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The Regulation 19 consultation represents the final stage before submission of the plan for independent examination. The Local Plan 2040 sets out Cherwell District Council’s proposed long‑term planning framework, including spatial strategy, housing delivery, infrastructure provision and environmental protection.
- Cherwell District Council’s Local Plan 2040 Regulation 19 consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to Cherwell District Council’s Local Plan 2040 Regulation 19 consultation.
Planning Reform Working Paper – Planning Committees
- Consulting body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Consultation period: 9 December 2024 to 21 February 2025
- Council response submitted: February 2025
MHCLG consulted on the Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning Committees, inviting views on possible models for a national scheme of delegation within the planning system. The working paper explored whether certain categories of planning decisions should be delegated automatically to officers, rather than determined by elected planning committees.
The proposals formed part of wider planning reform discussions aimed at increasing consistency, efficiency and predictability in planning decision‑making across local authorities.
- MHCLG’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning Committees.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to MHCLG’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning Committees.
Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms
- Consulting body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Consultation period: 19 December 2024 and 13 February 2025
- Council response submitted: February 2025
MHCLG consulted on proposals for reforms to the compulsory purchase process and compensation arrangements, seeking views on a range of technical changes aimed at improving the efficiency, fairness and effectiveness of compulsory purchase powers.
The consultation focused on potential reforms to how compulsory purchase orders are prepared, processed and implemented, as well as how compensation is assessed. The proposals were intended to support the delivery of infrastructure, regeneration and development projects while balancing the interests of landowners, communities and acquiring authorities.
- MHCLG’s Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to MHCLG’s Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms consultation.
Transport & Infrastructure
Cowley Grid Supply Point (GSP) Strategic Development Plan
- Consulting body: Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)
- Consultation period: Winter 2024 to 2025
- Council response submitted: February 2025
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks consulted on its draft Strategic Development Plan for the Cowley Grid Supply Point (GSP), seeking views from stakeholders on proposed upgrades and future development of electricity network infrastructure serving the area.
The Strategic Development Plan sets out how SSEN intends to manage current and future electricity demand, including increased need arising from housing growth, economic development and the transition to low‑carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps.
- Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ Cowley Grid Supply Point (GSP) Strategic Development Plan consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ Cowley Grid Supply Point (GSP) Strategic Development Plan consultation.
Environment & Climate
North Wessex Downs National Landscape Management Plan Review
- Consulting body: North Wessex Downs National Landscape
- Consultation period: Winter/Spring 2025
- Council response submitted: April 2025
The North Wessex Downs National Landscape consulted on a draft revised Management Plan, seeking feedback from stakeholders on proposed priorities and actions for the future management of the landscape.
The Management Plan sets out a long‑term vision, objectives and policies for conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, heritage and character of the North Wessex Downs. It also addresses how the landscape should be managed in response to challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, development pressures and changing land use.
- North Wessex Downs Management Plan Review.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to the North Wessex Downs Management Plan Review.
Chilterns National Landscape Management Plan Refresh 2025–2030
- Consulting body: Chilterns National Landscape
- Consultation period: Winter 2025
- Council response submitted: February 2025
The Chilterns National Landscape consulted on a refresh of its Management Plan for the period 2025-2030, seeking feedback from stakeholders on proposed changes to priorities, policies and actions for the management of the protected landscape.
The Management Plan sets out the long‑term vision and objectives for conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, landscape character, biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Chilterns. The refresh reflects emerging challenges and opportunities, including climate change, biodiversity recovery, development pressures and changes in land use and recreation.
- Refresh of The Management Plan for the Chilterns National Landscape.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to the Refresh of the Management Plan for the Chilterns National Landscape.
Housing, Communities and Wellbeing
Funding Arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026/27 Onwards
- Consulting body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Consultation period: 28 January 2025 to 11 March 2025
- Council response submitted: March 2025
MHCLG consulted on proposed changes to the funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026/27 onwards, seeking views on an updated formula for allocating funding to local authorities.
The consultation aimed to ensure that future grant allocations better reflect levels of need, demand pressures and the role of local authorities in preventing and responding to homelessness. The proposals form part of wider considerations about the sustainability and effectiveness of homelessness prevention funding.
- MHCLG’s consultation on the funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026/27 onwards.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to MHCLG’s consultation on the funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026/27 onwards.
Reforming the Right to Buy
- Consulting body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Consultation period: 20 November 2024 to 15 January 2025
- Council response submitted: January 2025
HM Government consulted on proposals to reform the Right to Buy scheme, seeking views on how it could be changed to deliver a fairer and more sustainable approach to social housing sales.
The consultation explored potential reforms aimed at balancing the benefits of home ownership with the need to protect and grow the supply of social and affordable housing. Proposals covered issues such as eligibility, discounts, replacement of sold homes, and the long‑term impact of Right to Buy on local housing availability.
- MHCLG’s Reforming the Right to Buy consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to MHCLG’s Reforming the Right to Buy consultation.
2024
Planning & Spatial Development
Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and Other Changes to the Planning System
- Consulting body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Consultation period: 30 July 2024 to 24 September 2024
- Council response submitted: September 2024
MHCLG consulted on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) alongside a wider package of changes to the planning system. The consultation sought views on how national planning policy should be revised to support housing delivery, economic growth, environmental protection and more consistent decision‑making.
The proposals covered a broad range of planning policy areas, including housing delivery, plan‑making, decision‑making, infrastructure provision and environmental considerations. As the NPPF underpins how local plans are prepared and how planning applications are determined, any changes have significant implications for local authorities.
- MHCLG’s Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the Planning System consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to MHCLG’s Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the Planning System consultation.
Environment & Climate
Bathing Waters Reform
- Consulting body: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Consultation period: 12 November 2024 to 23 December 2024
- Council response submitted: December 2024
DEFRA consulted on proposals to reform the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 for England and Wales, seeking views on how the regulatory framework governing bathing waters could be updated and strengthened.
The consultation explored changes aimed at improving water quality, public health protection and transparency, including how bathing waters are designated, monitored and classified. The proposals also considered how the regulations should respond to emerging challenges such as climate change, pollution sources and increased public use of inland and coastal waters.
- DEFRA’s Bathing Waters Reform consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to DEFRA’s Bathing Waters Reform consultation.
Economic Development, Businesses and the Local Economy
Invest 2035 – The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy
- Consulting body: Department for Business and Trade
- Consultation period: 14 October 2024 to 25 November 2024
- Council response submitted: November 2024
The Department for Business and Trade consulted on Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, seeking views on proposals to support long‑term economic growth, productivity and innovation across the UK.
The consultation set out the government’s vision for industrial policy to 2035, including priorities for investment, sector development, skills, infrastructure and place‑based growth. It aimed to understand how national industrial strategy could better support regional and local economies while contributing to wider objectives such as decarbonisation and technological innovation.
