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Residents urged to respond to government consultation on once-in-a-generation opportunity to change local councils

The government has launched a consultation on options to reorganise local councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

Latest news

Tow Councils. One better future

February 26, 2026

Five Councils outline how a two-unitary proposal would reimagine council service delivery across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire

Council leaders have set out how the proposal to replace seven councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with two, streamlined, more cost-effective unitary councils is the only option on the table that puts service-improvement at its heart, while retaining a clear local focus in each area. 

An infographic illustration on a white background featuring two green decorative seals containing community scenes, connected by icons in the center. The left seal shows a village with a church and houses above wavy lines representing water. The right seal shows houses and various trees above a stone bridge. Between them are a green location pin icon and a person icon, linked by two horizontal arrows pointing in opposite directions, suggesting movement or a relationship between different locations and the people within them.

February 26, 2026

South Oxfordshire residents invited to shape the future of local town and parish councils 

South Oxfordshire residents have the chance to comment on potential changes for town and parish councils, including the area they cover, the number of elected councillors and how local wards are organised.  

February 26, 2026

New electric waste vehicle will save councils 13 tonnes of carbon emissions per year

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have taken delivery of their second electric waste collection and street cleansing vehicle – which produces 70 per cent fewer carbon emissions than its diesel predecessor.

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, […]

a man with a barrow full of garden waste, next to a brown bin and a woman pointing at the bin

February 23, 2026

Residents reminded to buy their new garden waste permit

Residents who receive garden waste collections in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse are being reminded to buy a new permit if they wish to continue receiving collections from 1 April through to 31 March 2027.

The graphic features a simple illustration of a large pile of brown compost with a wooden sign sticking out of it that reads

February 19, 2026

Dig in for free! South and Vale residents invited to grab complimentary compost this March

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are inviting residents to collect free, nutrient-rich compost at special giveaway events this March. It’s the perfect way to recycle, reduce waste and grow something great!

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.

house image

February 13, 2026

South Oxfordshire Leader on the government’s strategic planning proposals 

Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We do not agree that Swindon is a good fit for our area – it has completely different economic and demographic challenges and needs. We will be submitting a full response to the Government’s consultation and will continue to work with partners across Oxfordshire and the wider area to ensure that any future arrangements genuinely reflect how our communities, transport links, and local economy work.” 

The image is a clean, conceptual illustration focused on the theme of local government or community budgeting. It uses a mix of icons and hand-drawn elements to show how financial planning impacts various public sectors.Central ElementsA Budget Notebook: In the center, there is a piece of lined paper with the word

February 13, 2026

South Oxfordshire sets out people-first budget with new investment in communities, services and local places 

South Oxfordshire District Council has approved a £19.4 million budget for 2026/27, setting out plans to protect local services, invest in community facilities, provide affordable homes and manage public money carefully.