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  • Online payment forms for bulky waste and licensing are working again − some fees collected through these forms were due to be increased on 1 April, but we have postponed this for a week. Garden waste and council tax payments are not affected.
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.

Read more about Important changes to planning, land charges and mapping services

Latest news

More than 200 residents, community groups and local partners attended the Didcot community event held at Cornerstone Arts Centre on 18 March, where members of the Didcot Garden Town team, alongside other council representatives and local organisations shared updates on key projects and plans for the area.  

April 2, 2026

Strong turnout at successful Didcot community event

More than 200 residents, community groups and local partners attended the Didcot community event held at Cornerstone Arts Centre on 18 March, where members of the Didcot Garden Town team, alongside other council representatives and local organisations shared updates on key projects and plans for the area.  

Cllr Georgina Heritage and Cllr Helen Pighills presenting at the Southern Oxfordshire Heritage, Culture, and Creative Industries Symposium Delegates at the Southern Oxfordshire Heritage, Culture, and Creative Industries Symposium seated around tables watching a presentation.

April 1, 2026

Culture and Heritage Network Event returns to Cornerstone 

Published 1 April 2026 On 25 March, the Southern Oxfordshire Heritage, Culture, and Creative Industries Symposium returned to the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot. The three-hour event, made possible through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England grants received earlier in the year, brought together 30 people from local museums, theatres, […]

image of the map of the proposed new councils, including towns

March 27, 2026

Leaders reflect on the close of the government’s LGR consultation for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire

As the government consultation on local government reorganisation (LGR) for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire draws to a close, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council leaders have thanked everyone who has submitted their views on the three proposals for this area.

March 26, 2026

Communities invited to get moving with Everyone Active Grant 

Local community groups are invited to apply for funding to help residents across South Oxfordshire be more active, improve their health, and enjoy new wellbeing activities. 

March 25, 2026

Hop into Easter with lots of fun for all the family 

Published 25 March 2026 Families can enjoy a jam-packed line-up of Easter activities this spring, with events taking place across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse from30 March to 11 April.  The holidays start with an Activity Morning in Cholsey and an Activity Afternoon at The Junction in Abingdon. Followed by Born to Move fun fitness sessions […]

Map of Oxfordshire and Berkshire as part of a combined mayoral strategic authority.

March 24, 2026

Thames Valley devolution expression of interest moves forward

An updated expression of interest letter has been submitted to government following detailed conversations with ministers about creating a strategic authority in the Thames Valley.

Ms McLean stands in the kitchen in the home she has transformed

March 12, 2026

Councils offer help to transform empty properties into a home

12 March 2026 The transformation of hundreds of empty properties into homes once more is under way as councils offer help to homeowners.  Over the last year South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have been working with owners of 854 empty properties to understand why their properties are empty and offer support. Of these, 232 properties […]

Image credit: Hedley Thorne 

March 5, 2026

South Oxfordshire District Council agrees £500,000 towards improvements for nature site  

Published Thursday 5 March 2026 South Oxfordshire District Council has agreed to give £500,000 to fund major improvements at the Earth Trust site in Little Wittenham, making it safer and more welcoming for visitors to enjoy the area’s natural beauty.  Environmental charity Earth Trust looks after the largest free-to-access green space in Oxfordshire, at Wittenham Clumps. Each year around 200,000 people visit this area of open countryside including around 6,500 education visits. New housing in the area has increased the numbers visiting this public open […]

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.