Government & Politics
Browse news and stories about local government and politics in Oxfordshire, including the administration of Oxfordshire county and the city and district councils by the representatives elected by those who live there.
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Oxford United stadium plans approved by Cherwell District Council
Oxford United’s plans for a new 16,000-capacity stadium at The Triangle have been approved by Cherwell District Council after a lengthy debate. The decision marks a major milestone in the club’s ambition to create a permanent new home.
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Oxford United stadium plans recommended for approval ahead of key planning meeting
Oxford United’s plans for a 16,000-seat stadium in Kidlington have been recommended for approval, with a key Cherwell District Council planning committee meeting set for 14 August before referral to the Secretary of State.
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Campaigners warn Oxford unitary council plan would swallow Green Belt
CPRE Oxfordshire has condemned plans for a new Oxford unitary council, warning expanded boundaries would fuel urban sprawl and damage the Green Belt. The city council says the proposal could deliver 40,000 new homes by 2040 to address housing need.
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FOI reveals pre-election discussions with DfT over congestion charge signage
A Freedom of Information request has revealed Oxfordshire County Council contacted the Department for Transport about congestion charge signage before the May elections.
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Greater Oxford Council plan enters consultation phase across county
Oxford City Council has launched a public consultation on proposals to replace Oxfordshire’s six local councils with three, including a new Greater Oxford Council. The plan aims to simplify local governance, improve service delivery, and make councils more responsive.
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Cherwell planning team in final stages of report on Oxford United stadium proposals
Oxford United Football Club has confirmed that the planning process for its proposed new stadium has reached a critical milestone, with Cherwell District Council’s planning department now in the final stages of completing its official report.
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Oxfordshire County Council addresses national SEND crisis in Parliament
Oxfordshire County Council has submitted written evidence to the Parliamentary Education Select Committee’s inquiry into the national SEND crisis. Despite soaring costs, outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) remain stagnant.
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Lib Dems defend congestion charge plans after criticism over election silence
The Liberal Democrats are under fire for failing to mention plans for a £5 congestion charge during their successful Oxfordshire County Council election campaign.
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Local government in Oxfordshire: Weighing the three unitary council proposals
With the central government encouraging streamlined structures as part of its wider devolution agenda, the key question now is not whether Oxfordshire should change, but how. Explore the three main proposals for reforming local government in Oxfordshire currently under serious discussion.
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County Council continues to endorse One Council as best option for future
Oxfordshire County Council has reiterated its view that a single county unitary council should be the way forward for local government in the county when change happens in a few years’ time.
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Two new unitary councils proposed in Local government reform
Five councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire have joined forces to propose two new unitary authorities—Oxford and Shires Council and Ridgeway Council—as part of national plans to reform local government.
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Plans unveiled for Greater Oxford Council as local government faces major reform
Oxford City Council has unveiled proposals for a new Greater Oxford Council as part of a major local government shake-up, aiming to bring planning, transport and housing decisions closer to the communities they affect.
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Young people praise Oxfordshire Youth Support in new peer review
Young people have praised Oxfordshire County Council’s targeted youth support service in a peer review led by the National Youth Agency. The service, launched in 2021, supports youth facing difficulties to prevent escalation to authorities.
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West Oxfordshire resubmits Net Zero policy for Salt Cross development
West Oxfordshire District Council has resubmitted a revised Net Zero policy for the Salt Cross Area Action Plan (AAP) to the Planning Inspectorate. Initially rejected, the policy was allowed to be reconsidered following a successful High Court challenge by Rights Community Action.
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Lib Dems condemn Labour’s housing policy change in Cherwell amid planning delays
Cherwell’s Liberal Democrats have criticised the Labour government for reinstating the requirement to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, despite over 8,000 homes already approved but awaiting construction.
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Strategic authority debate: Super region plans spark debate in Thames Valley
Plans for a Thames Valley strategic authority covering Reading, Swindon, and Oxford have sparked both excitement and concern. The proposed body would oversee major housing, transport, and infrastructure projects, including a third Thames bridge and a rail link to Heathrow.