Fair Treatment and Cohesion Motion

Published 17 December 2025

Statement by South Oxfordshire District Council:

We condemn all intimidation, violence or harassment of minority groups in South Oxfordshire. We continue to stand in solidarity with everyone who has made South Oxfordshire their home.  

Misinformation and the fear, suspicion, and intolerance that it generates must be challenged. We are a cohesive and welcoming district, and we will use all our influence and power to challenge any attempts to intimidate any minority group in our district.  

Building healthy, safe, and resilient communities are key priorities for our area.  We will stand up to intolerant attitudes and behaviours – to stop their deeply harmful impact.  

Fair treatment is embedded in the design and delivery of our services. This is reflected in how we allocate social housing, support residents facing financial difficulties, include and enable people with disabilities, work to ensure the safety of everyone, value and support our LGBTQ+ community, and ensure that people of migrant background are treated equitably and with respect. We do this not only because we have a legal duty, but because we recognise our moral responsibility to treat all residents fairly.  

Working closely with our partners, from our work as part of the Community Safety Partnership to address crime and protect vulnerable people, to our proactive role in the Oxfordshire Migration Partnership, we continue to mitigate the impact of increasing hostility toward individuals and families who are simply trying to live their lives. 

The statement follows the passing of the ‘Fair treatment and cohesion’ motion at Council on Thursday 23 October.  

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

“These are difficult times for many. When the cost of living is rising, access to basic services feels harder, and politics seems broken, it becomes easy to look for someone to blame. But punching down at vulnerable communities will not fix any of this.

“Let us recognise that we’re actually on the same team. It will take all of us to ensure we have services and a district that works for everyone. One that supports opportunity, dignity and fairness for every person who calls this place home. This is the South Oxfordshire I believe in, the Britain that I love. 

“As this council’s first leader of migrant background, I know firsthand the damaging impact that misinformation and intolerance have on individuals and communities, and it must stop. Each and every one of us who has made South Oxfordshire our home is welcome here and valued. We cannot, and must not, allow bad-faith actors to divide us.”

Notes to editors

See our Diversity and inclusion strategy on our website and our Diversity and social campaigns calendar 

See our press release Roadshow celebrates equality and diversity across the districts 

ENDS