Andy Mitchell (Local Democracy Reporter)
Latest news and stories
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“More realistic budget” required as City Council predicts £1.8m overspend on housing repairs
Oxford’s housing revenue account, budgeted to handle more than £47m of income and expenditure in 2022/23, was expected to make a modest £64k profit.
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City councillors urged to keep focus on Cowley Branch Line reopening
Oxford City councillors have been urged to keep the focus on reopening Oxford’s Cowley Branch Line rather than larger rail projects that could emanate from it.
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Councillor Michele Paule “really sad” to be standing down mid-term
The Labour member resigned from her seat on Monday, confirming to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the decision had been taken due to “ongoing health problems”.
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First controlled parking zones approved in Banbury
Residents on Beargarden Road, Crouch Street, Monument Street, New Road, West Bar Street, and Westbeech Court in the central-west area of Banbury will require parking permits following the introduction of the town’s first controlled parking zones (CPZs).
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No timescales and slashed budget for Woodstock Road works
Delayed work on improving Woodstock Road, Oxford, will have to be done within less than a quarter of the original budget – and it is still unclear when it will happen.
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More than half of council tax increase will be used to top up back-up funds
The councillor in charge of finances at Oxfordshire County Council has defended raising council tax by the maximum allowed and saving more than half of the extra cash for a rainy day.
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“Plan B is critical” for Oxford United FC despite stadium talks progress
Oxford United FC has been told that “a plan B is critical” over its 2026 stadium deadline despite Oxfordshire County Council agreeing to progress talks.
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Planning decisions on HIF projects due “in the next couple of months”
The two major road projects, designed to support more than 30,000 new homes in Oxfordshire, have divided opinion and proved challenging to deliver amid budgetary concerns.
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Oxfordshire councils “commanded” to put up tax by maximum allowed
That assertion was challenged by a member of the opposition but the councillor insisted the implication had been made through “very strong hints”.
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“Angst” predicted over garden waste collection price increase in West Oxfordshire
West Oxfordshire District Council wants to increase the price of its annual subscription for garden waste collection from £40 to £45 in April.
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Free parking to continue at Witney’s Marriotts Walk after council’s £9m purchase
The car park is open from 7.00am until 1.00am on Monday to Saturday and from 9.00am until 1.00am (Monday) on Sundays, with shoppers able to park for free for four hours on floors one to six and up to nine hours on the top two levels.
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Last-minute update delays plans for 530 homes near Bicester
The decision was delayed after 34 pages of extra information landed in front of councillors hours before a planning meeting, raising concerns that members may not have had time to read the extra papers beforehand.
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Lack of power on SEND decisions driving £29m private provider bill
Oxfordshire’s director of children’s services believes the county needs more clout and more cash to plug the black hole in special educational needs finances.
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Plans for giant solar farm “misrepresented” by Botley West name says councillor
The Botley West Solar Farm proposals would see panels spread across three sites to the north of Woodstock, west of Kidlington and west of Botley, with the aim of powering up to 330,000 homes with green energy.
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West Oxfordshire district councillors draw political battle lines as budget takes shape
The council’s cabinet member for finance, rued the lack of control districts have over revenue generation during an address at a cabinet meeting held at Woodstock Community Centre.
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West Oxfordshire District Council could dip into cash reserves to fund jobs
The council has listed an equivalent of 20 full-time jobs, costing more than £676,000 in salaries, that it would like to push forward in the next financial year.