Skip to content
  • Wednesday 08 April: We are upgrading our Planning and Land Charges systems. Please expect temporary, planned service interruptions between 9–23 April (Planning) and 9–30 April (Land Charges). View our news page for more information.   −
Important changes to planning, land charges and mapping services

We are updating the software behind our Planning and Land Charges services, to ensure it remains reliable, supported, and able to meet future service needs.

Charlotte Westgate

Images of some of the projects our Community Grants have helped to fund

February 25, 2026

Over £1.5M grants funding available for community organisations 

Published 25 February 2026 Community groups and non-profit organisations in South Oxfordshire will be able to apply for grants totalling £1.5M over the next year.  South Oxfordshire District Council confirmed the £1,550,000 community grants funding in their budget announcements on the 12 February. This will be available via a range of grant schemes that will give a financial boost to projects that improve community facilities, enhance the health and wellbeing of residents and support the fight against climate […]

External images of Didcot Wave (left) and Thame Leisure Centre (right)

February 25, 2026

Revamps for changing rooms at Didcot Wave and Thame leisure centres

Published 25 February 2026 This March both Thame and Didcot Wave leisure centres will benefit from a £600,000 investment to revamp the ‘dry side’ changing facilities giving them a much-needed makeover.  The facilities at both centres are in need of improvements to make them as modern and easy to maintain as possible.  The refurbishments will include the installation water saving devices in the toilets and showers and new LED energy efficient lighting will be fitted.  At Thame the centre will have its main corridor decorated, […]

Members of the public at a Didcot Garden Town event September 2025

February 16, 2026

Find out more about future plans for Didcot at community event in March  

A free event in March offers an exciting opportunity to find out more about future plans for Didcot. 

Members of the public and community groups in Didcot are invited to attend a special Didcot Community meeting after the success of the first event last year.

Images of leisure projects in the South. Thame Leisure Centre solar panels,Didcot Wave Spin Studio and Abbey Sports Centre ATP

January 28, 2026

£2M boost for South leisure facilities 

Published Wednesday 28 January 2026 Leisure facilities in South Oxfordshire will receive a £2M boost over the coming year, with a number of improvements planned for council owned leisure centres.  South Oxfordshire District Council is funding these projects with developer contributions (S106 and CIL), their Capital budget and contributions from Oxfordshire County Council with £1,958,000 allocated to Abbey Sports Centre, Didcot Wave and Thame Leisure Centre.  Abbey Sports Centre in Berinsfield is to get […]

A group of adults sat at a table learning

December 16, 2025

New year, new skills as free course launches in Berinsfield

Published 16 December 2025 A free 7-week Improving Skills programme starts in February next year especially for Berinsfield residents. South Oxfordshire District Council is working in partnership with Abingdon & Witney College, UKAEA, National Careers Service, Enterprise Oxfordshire, DWP, Community Catalysts and Williams Jet Tenders Ltd, to provide this free training opportunity, which will cover […]

From LR: Kevin Williams South and Vale Partnership Manager for GLL, Dan Pawlowski from Baily Garner, Cllr Mocky Khan ward councillor, Cllr Georgina Heritage Cabinet Member for Communities, Gary Starkey Head of Service GLL, Jan Smith Leisure Projects Officer at South Oxfordshire District Council, Rebecca Richmond General Manager Didcot Wave.

November 27, 2025

New studios open at the Didcot Wave 

Published Thursday 27 November 2025 Two new studio spaces opened at the Didcot Wave Leisure Centre this month, with further work starting on improvements to dryside changing rooms at the centre.  The leisure centre in Didcot has benefited from £140,000 worth of improvements – with the creation of a multi-use studio, suitable for a range of […]

Tow Councils. One better future

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.

Wallingford Rowing Club with their new blades next to the River Thames

October 29, 2025

Deadline for community grant only weeks away

Published 29 October 2025 There’s still time for non-profit groups to apply for funding to support their community projects in South Oxfordshire.  Each South Oxfordshire District Councillor has £7,500 with their Councillor Community Grant Scheme, to support projects in their ward. Groups can apply for funding ranging from £250 to £15,000 for capital projects and […]

Riverside Pool in Wallingford on a sunny day with water safety and first aid equipment ready for a public training session

October 21, 2025

Thousands of visitors help make the Riverside summer season a sizzler! 

Published 21 October 2025 Over 22,000 visitors enjoyed the facilities at Riverside Park and Pools in Wallingford this summer.  South Oxfordshire District Council and its leisure provider GLL, who manage the site at Riverside Park and Pools on behalf of the council, saw a 45 per cent increase in visitors compared to 2024.   The pool […]

An illustration of people from different cultures, ages, genders and races to reflect the 10 protected characteristics

October 16, 2025

Roadshow celebrates equality and diversity across the districts 

Published 16 October 2025 ‘What does equality mean to you?’ – that’s a question officers from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils will be asking residents on their Equalities Roadshow starting on Tuesday 21 October.  Council officers will be travelling across the districts to speak to the public about what the councils […]