Government & Politics
Follow Government & Politics in Oxford and just beyond, including council decisions, elections, public policy and political developments affecting local communities.
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Oxfordshire County Council aims to set a balanced budget for 2024/25 following £900k shortfall
The proposals form part of the final budget being recommended to the council’s cabinet on 30 January, which will then be decided at the annual budget-setting meeting of all 63 county councillors on 20 February.
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Residents’ Panel survey reveals broad satisfaction with Oxford and council’s work
A recent survey conducted by Oxford City Council has found that residents of Oxford are broadly satisfied with their city and the work of the council, but it varies across different areas and reveals a city of two halves.
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South Oxon and Vale Councils affordable housing grants to help address urgent needs
More affordable, energy-efficient homes will be built in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse thanks to an improved affordable housing grants process.
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Oxfordshire Council provides support to residents during cost of living crisis
Children, low-income pensionable households, carers and many others have benefited from Oxfordshire County Council’s cost of living crisis support schemes for residents over the winter of 2022/3 and afterwards.
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Councillors reject Planning Application for 170 houses on land between Hanwell and Banbury
Councillors have voted unanimously to reject Vistry’s planning application to build 170 houses on prime agricultural farmland between Hanwell Village and Banbury.
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Oxford welcomes new Lord Mayor, Councillor Lubna Arshad
Councillor Lubna Arshad is the first woman of colour, the first Muslim woman of intersectional background, and the youngest Lord Mayor representing the city.
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County council to consider update report on Oxford United’s stadium proposals on 18 April
The cabinet at Oxfordshire County Council cabinet will receive an update on proposals for Oxford United’s new stadium on council-owned land known as “the Triangle”.
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County council agrees MOU with Oxford United for timely talks on stadium proposals
Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved an agreement with Oxford United to govern open and transparent relations between the two parties while exploring Oxford United’s stadium proposals.
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Questions over £4.3m gap in Castle Quay’s revenue sparks a tribal row
Questions over the performance of Banbury’s council-owned shopping centre turned tribal this week with claims that a political group is “denigrating” the town.
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District councillors in Cherwell to get a 2.75 per cent pay rise
Councillors in Cherwell District Council are set to benefit from a 2.75 per cent rise to their annual allowances, as recommended by an independent panel.
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Cherwell District Council budget set despite lack of support from opposition parties
Cherwell District Council’s budget for the new financial year has been set despite a lack of support and criticism from opposition parties.
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Thames Valley Police decides to increase council tax by 6.22%
Thames Valley Police has decided to increase the council tax it collects by 6.22 per cent in an effort to provide ‘strong local policing to keep streets safe.’
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Thames Valley Police reveals plans for new state-of-the-art forensics centre in Bicester
The purpose-built centre in Bicester will become the main forensics hub for the force, containing laboratories, new digital technologies and dedicated training facilities.
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Silverstone museum loan repayments expose ‘weaknesses’ in councils‘ due diligence processes
Several councils and a local enterprise partnership loaned millions of pounds to the Silverstone Interactive Museum, but none of them has yet been fully repaid.
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County councillors warn that reviews could lead to spiralling executive pay
Councillors in charge at Oxfordshire County Council have been urged to proceed with caution when conducting reviews of executive pay.
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Oxfordshire councillor rails against “callous” amendment as 2023/24 budget is set
The councillor in charge of finances at Oxfordshire County Council has launched a staunch defence of its spending plans.