Council Responses to Consultations
As a local authority, we often respond to other organisation’s consultations on matters that affect our district. We’ll publish our submissions on this page.
November 2025
Reforming the licensing system
HM Government sought views and evidence to help inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.
- HM Government’s consultation on reforming the licensing system.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s consultation on reforming the licensing system.
Transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan Consultation
The National Energy System Operator requested comments on the key components of the Transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan.
- The National Energy System Operator Transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to the National Energy System Operator’s Transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan consultation.
October 2025
The Local Plan for Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire Council asked for comments on their draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire.
- Buckinghamshire Council’s draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire Consultation
- South Oxfordshire’s response to Buckinghamshire Council’s draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire Consultation
September 2025
Modernising and improving the administration of Council Tax
HM Government asked for views on policies to improve the administration of council tax.
- HM Government’s consultation on modernising and improving the administration of Council Tax.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s consultation on modernising and improving the administration of Council Tax.
Local Government Outcome Framework
HM Government sought feedback from local authorities on their plan to move towards an outcome focused model of accountability for councils in England.
- HM Government’s Local Government Outcome Framework consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Local Government Outcome Framework consultation.
Wantage and Grove Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)
Oxfordshire County Council wanted interested parties to share their thoughts on cycling and walking infrastructure in Wantage and Grove.
- Oxfordshire County Council’s Wantage and Grove Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to the Wantage and Grove Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan consultation.
August 2025
Oxford City Council Local Plan 2042 Preferred Policy Options Consultation
Oxford City Council sought input from interested parties on their preferred policy options for their Local Plan 2042.
- Oxford City’s Local Plan 2042 Preferred Policy Options Consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to Oxford City’s Local Plan 2042 Preferred Policy Options Consultation.
West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2041 Preferred Policy Options Consultation
West Oxfordshire District Council sought input from interested parties on their preferred policy options for their Local Plan 2041.
- West Oxfordshire’s Local Plan 2041 Preferred Policy Options Consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to West Oxfordshire’s Local Plan 2041 Preferred Policy Options Consultation.
The Fair Funding Review 2.0
HM Government requested comments on their proposed approach to local authority funding reform.
- HM Government’s Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation.
Oxford Temporary Congestion Charge
Oxfordshire County Council sought views on the proposed Oxford temporary congestion charge for cars scheme.
- Oxfordshire County Council’s consultation on the Oxford Temporary Congestion Charge.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to Oxfordshire County Council’s consultation on the Oxford Temporary Congestion Charge.
July 2025
Flood and coastal erosion funding reform
HM Government requested views on their proposals for changing the way flood and coastal erosion projects are funded. They also called for evidence on alternative sources of funding and devolution opportunities.
- HM Government’s consultation on flood and coastal erosion funding reform.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s consultation on flood and coastal erosion funding reform.
Community Benefits and Shared Ownership for Low Carbon Energy Infrastructure: Working Paper
HM Government sought views on potential mandatory community benefits for low carbon energy infrastructure, and shared ownership schemes.
- HM Government’s Community Benefits and Shared Ownership for Low Carbon Energy Infrastructure: Working Paper.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Community Benefits and Shared Ownership for Low Carbon Energy Infrastructure: Working Paper.
Improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield development
HM Government sought views on improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development.
- HM Government’s consultation on improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s consultation on improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development.
Reform of planning committees: technical consultation
HM Government requested feedback on their proposals around the delegation of planning functions, the size and composition of planning committees and mandatory training for members of planning committees.
- HM Government’s technical consultation on the reform of planning committees.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s technical consultation on the reform of planning committees.
Planning Reform Working Paper: Reforming Site Thresholds
HM Government asked for views on reforming site size thresholds in the planning system to better support housing delivery on different types of sites.
- HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Reforming Site Thresholds.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Reforming Site Thresholds.
Technical consultation on implementing measures to improve Build Out transparency
HM Government sought to gather views on the introduction of a new statutory build out framework.
- HM Government’s Technical consultation on implementing measures to improve Build Out transparency.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Technical consultation on implementing measures to improve Build Out transparency.
Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out
HM Government invited views on further action that should be taken to speed up homes being built.
- HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out.
May 2025
Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes: 2025 update
HM Government sought views on proposals to raise minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales by 2030.
- HM Government’s consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes.
April 2025
North Wessex Downs National Landscape Management Plan Review
The North Wessex Downs National Landscape sought feedback and comments from stakeholders in relation to a draft revised management plan.
Land Use Consultation
HM Government sought views on their vision for land use in England and how to deliver it. The consultation will inform the development of a land use framework.
- HM Government’s Land Use Consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Land Use Consultation.
Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery
HM Government invited views on their proposed new approach to development and nature recovery.
- HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery.
March 2025
Funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026/27 onwards
HM Government sought views on an updated formula for allocating the Homelessness Prevention Grant to local authorities.
- HM Government’s consultation on the funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026/27 onwards.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s consultation on the funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026/27 onwards.
- Funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026-27 onwards: Consultation outcome.
February 2025
Chilterns National Landscape Management Plan Refresh 2025-2030
The Chilterns National Landscape sought feedback and comments from stakeholders in relation to a refresh of its management plan.
- Chilterns National Landscape Management Plan Refresh 2025-2030 Schedule of Proposed Changes.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to the Chilterns National Landscape Management Plan Review.
Local authority funding reform: objectives and principles
HM Government sought views on the approach to determining new funding allocations for local authorities and fire and rescue authorities through the local government finance settlement.
- HM Government’s consultation on local authority funding reform: objectives and principles.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s consultation on local authority funding reform: objectives and principles.
- Local authority funding reform objectives and principles consultation: summary of responses.
Cowley Grid Supply Point (GSP) Strategic Development Plan Consultation
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks invited stakeholders to share their thoughts and comments on their draft Strategic Development Plan for Cowley GSP.
- Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ Cowley Grid Supply Point (GSP) Strategic Development Plan Consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ Cowley Grid Supply Point (GSP) Strategic Development Plan Consultation.
Cherwell Local Plan 2040 Regulation 19 Consultation
Cherwell District Council invited views and comments on its Local Plan.
- Cherwell District Council’s Local Plan 2040 Regulation 19 Consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to Cherwell District Council’s Local Plan 2040 Regulation 19 Consultation.
Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms
HM Government sought views on a range of proposals aimed at implementing technical reforms to the compulsory purchase process.
- HM Government’s Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms consultation.
- Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms: Consultation outcome.
Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning Committees
HM Government invited views on models for a national scheme of delegation.
- HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning Committees.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning Committees.
Planning Reform Working Paper: Streamlining Infrastructure Planning
HM Government invited views on further action they could take through the planning system to streamline the development of critical infrastructure.
- HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Streamlining Infrastructure Planning.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Streamlining Infrastructure Planning.
January 2025
Local Government Finance Settlement 2025/26
HM Government sought views on its proposals for the local government finance settlement for 2025 to 2026.
- HM Government’s Local Government Finance Settlement 2025/26 consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Local Government Finance Settlement 2025/26 consultation.
- Provisional local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026 consultation: summary of responses.
The Funding and Sustainability of Local Government Finance
The House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee issued a call for evidence to inform its inquiry into whether the local government finance system is fit for purpose and if it can meet the needs of local authorities and service users.
- South Oxfordshire’s submission to the House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into the funding and sustainability of local government finance.
- The House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s Report on The Funding and Sustainability of Local Government Finance.
Reforming the Right to Buy
HM Government sought views on how the Right to Buy should be reformed to deliver a fairer and more sustainable scheme.
- HM Government’s Reforming the Right to Buy consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Reforming the Right to Buy consultation.
- HM Government’s response to the consultation on Reforming the Right to Buy.
December 2024
Bathing Waters Reform Consultation
HM Government requested views on proposed reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 for England and Wales.
- HM Government’s Bathing Waters Reform Consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Bathing Waters Reform Consultation.
- HM Government’s response to the Bathing Waters Reform Consultation.
November 2024
Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy
HM Government wanted to hear views on the proposals within their industrial strategy.
- HM Government’s consultation on Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s consultation on Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
September 2024
Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the Planning System
HM Government sought views on their proposed approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). They also requested feedback on a series of wider national planning policy reforms.
- HM Government’s Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the Planning System consultation.
- South Oxfordshire’s response to HM Government’s Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the Planning System consultation.
- HM Government’s response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system consultation.
