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Winter in South Oxfordshire  

A guide to services and advice from the council, as well as local and national organisations, to help during the winter months. 

Licensing

June 19, 2025

Henley Regatta 2025: visitors urged to stay safe and only use licensed taxis 

With Henley Royal Regatta almost here, visitors are being urged to plan their journey home in advance and not risk travelling in an unlicensed, uninsured and potentially unsafe vehicle.  Only hackney carriages that are licensed by South Oxfordshire District Council can legally ply for hire in Henley during the Regatta (1 to 6 July 2025).  […]

Oxford Magistrates Court sign

March 18, 2025

Driving ban for taxi driver who worked illegally during Henley Regatta

A private hire driver has been handed a four-month driving ban and ordered to pay over £2,700 in fines and costs after being caught operating illegally during the 2024 Henley Regatta. Following a trial at Oxford Magistrates Court on 10 March 2025, Wasif Butt, 41, of Cholmeley Road, Reading, was found guilty of unlawfully plying […]

Oxford Magistrates Court sign

December 19, 2024

Experienced taxi driver caught offering rides illegally during Henley Regatta

A taxi driver has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 and had six penalty points added to his licence after plying for hire illegally during Henley Regatta.

Oxford Magistrates Court sign

November 22, 2024

Taxi driver fined for offering unlicensed Regatta rides

A private hire taxi driver has been ordered to pay more than £700 after pleading guilty to illegally plying for hire during Henley Regatta. Mr Shabuddin Parvas, 54, of Cressingham Road, Reading, pleaded guilty at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 15 November to unlawfully plying for hire in Henley and failing to wear his driver’s […]

November 14, 2024

More than 150 penalty points issued to taxi drivers in licence conditions clampdown

More than half of the taxi drivers stopped during a day’s enforcement operation were not compliant with their licence conditions.

a photo of a woman receiving food from a street trader

October 16, 2024

Have your say: Councils propose updates to boost street trading and cut plastic waste

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are reviewing their joint Street Trading Policy for the first time in over a decade and they want your input! Street trading has thrived in recent years and, with the current policy dating back to 2011, the councils are proposing updates to ensure it encourages the […]

a crowd of people standing on the side of the River Thames watching Henley Regatta - picture copyright - HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA

June 20, 2024

Henley Regatta visitors urged not take chances with their taxi journey home

people coming to this year’s Henley Royal Regatta (2 to 7 July) are urged to plan their journey home in advance and not gamble with a trip in an uninsured and potentially dangerous vehicle.

I picture of a man getting into a taxi

December 20, 2023

Drivers convicted for illegal taxi operations at Henley Regatta

Two private hire drivers illegally plying for trade have been fined following undercover checks at Henley Regatta.

August 7, 2023

Statement regarding street trading outside licensed venues

You may have seen posts on social media this weekend claiming that South Oxfordshire District Council had banned street food trucks from operating at sites owned by Oak Taverns. This is NOT true; we have not banned street trading at their sites. Oak Taverns have not ensured that the permits required for street trading to […]

Taxi

February 6, 2023

Third taxi driver convicted and fined for offering illegal rides at Henley Regatta 

A third hackney carriage driver has been convicted of illegally plying for hire and at last summer’s Henley Regatta. On Friday 27 January, Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard how during the Regatta, officers from South Oxfordshire District Council had spotted yet another vehicle parked on double yellow lines in Henley. Officers identified Mr Abdul Haye Azad’s […]