All the updates from the latest South Council meeting

Published Tuesday 18 February 2025

The budget was top of the agenda at the first full South Oxfordshire District Council meeting of 2025, alongside the review of neighbourhood plans and approval for a new council plan.

The district council met on Thursday 13 February and approved its 2025-2026 budget.

The approved budget maintains investment in key areas including housing, community support and leisure provision, while ensuring that residents will continue to receive excellent value for money for services provided by the district council.

Highlights included funding to support housing ambitions to provide access to more safe, secure and compliant housing provided directly by the council. More information is available on the budget on the council’s website and in the budget news release.

Other key items considered at the busy meeting included the council’s new council plan. Councillors reviewed The Way Ahead: Council Plan 2025-2029 and will adopt it going forward.

The Council also formally adopted four neighbourhood plans, marking a significant step forward for local placemaking. A new neighbourhood plan for Berinsfield was welcomed alongside updated plans for Thame, Wallingford, and Crowmarsh, ensuring they continue to carry full weight in planning decisions. The lack of clarity in Clifton Hampden’s Neighbourhood Development Order meant this item was refused.

Topics covered by questions included: