Andy Mitchell (Local Democracy Reporter)
Latest news and stories
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Council leader to consider annual report on which councillors attend meetings
The suggestion was put forward following a question over how many councillors had failed to attend any meeting of full council since May this year.
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Traffic filter day-pass plans branded “ludicrous” by a county councillor
A public consultation has led to some changes including offer 100 day passes per year to residents and businesses affected by the traffic filters.
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Apology after thousands of callers gave up waiting for council to pick up the phone
The councillor who oversees Oxfordshire County Council’s customer call handling has apologised after thousands of people gave up while waiting in September.
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Oxfordshire councillors urged not to hold special meeting with SEND parents
Oxfordshire’s director for children’s services argued that preparing for such a meeting would take already-stretched council staff away from attempts to improve services.
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West Oxfordshire planning officers stand up to grilling over housing land supply
The authority was deemed unable to prove it has a five-year housing land supply by the Planning Inspectorate.
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West Oxfordshire District Council to publish new housing land supply position
It comes after the Planning Inspectorate found that calculations made by staff at the council had been overestimated by up to a quarter.
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West Oxon’s Chief Exec describes outcome of Oxfordshire Plan 2050 as ‘very disappointing’
He expressed his opinion while delivering an update to the West Oxfordshire council’s cabinet, the ruling body of councillors, this week.
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Spiralling cost of placements for children in care blamed on past mistakes
The authority finds itself having to fund a £6.7m shortfall to cover the cost of just 13 extra placements for children with complex needs.
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Council’s highways chief hits back at claim that county policies are Oxford-centric
Councillor Andrew Gant railed against suggestions from political opponent Councillor Ian Snowdon who questioned the levels of bus service cuts in rural areas, referring to “empty pledges” to reduce car journeys.
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Councillor calls for alternatives from those opposed to Oxford’s traffic filters
This comes as the Council proposes to bring together 22 actions in its Central Oxfordshire Travel Plan, including three major interventions in and around Oxford city centre.
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Councillor insist Oxford’s zero emission zone (ZEZ) is not a cash cow
This comes after the BBC reported at the start of September that just under £120k had been generated in fees and fines for non-payment.
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Council employee leads petition against pension investment in fossil fuel firms
The petition to pull out of pension investments in fossil fuel companies like shell was started by one of the Oxfordshire County Council’s employees and has gathered more than 500 signatures.
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Cherwell Council to dip into savings to plug £458k shortfall in revenue from car parks
The council confirmed it would dip into savings to plug a £458k gap between what it budgeted to make from car parking charges and current projections.
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Cherwell deputy leader wants more done to highlight cost of living crisis help available
This comes on the back of an estimate that around 4,000 Oxfordshire pensioners are missing out on much-needed financial support.
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Councils plan to create centralised CCTV provision across Oxfordshire
It forms part of a broader plan to roll out the same equipment across the Thames Valley region, which also covers Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, in a bid to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
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Thames Valley Police to use cash reserves for “urgently” needed extra 101 call handlers
Waiting times to get through to a call handler in Thames Valley, the region that covers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, have rocketed since June 2021.