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 Conservatives propose trimming council tax rise in alternative budget
The Conservative opposition wants to limit the rise in the county’s portion of council tax to 3.99 per cent, two per cent of which is ring-fenced for adult social care.
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Councillor’s mic-drop over housing standards in Cherwell dismissed as “unwarranted flounce”
A councillor championing housing standards in Cherwell was accused of an “unwarranted flounce” having walked out immediately after criticising a new policy.
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Reduced housing targets in Cherwell will protect from “speculative” developers
A new way of calculating housing targets across Cherwell district is set to give councillors more scope to refuse planning applications
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Rents and council tax in Cherwell District are set to go up by the maximum permitted
Cherwell District Council is putting up housing rents and its share of council tax by the maximum allowed amid plans to handle future financial pressures.
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Council leader “extremely disappointed” with Jeremy Clarkson in parking row
Parking restrictions near Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm have been approved, with the leader of Oxfordshire County Council declaring herself “extremely disappointed” with the TV star.
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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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Council introduces new four year plan to improve West Oxfordshire
West Oxfordshire District Council has updated its four-year plan, which sets out how the council will deliver for residents and what it will focus on to improve West Oxfordshire.
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Oxford City Council’s 2023/24 budget to help tackle cost of living crisis
The budget funds a wide range of services to help tackle the cost of living crisis as well as multi-million-pound investments across Oxford, including new council homes and the rebuilding of East Oxford Community Centre.
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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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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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Oxford City Council has announced a by-election in the Littlemore ward
Following the resignation of Oxford City Councillor Nadine Bely-Summers, there will be a by-election in the Littlemore ward to fill the vacancy on 02 March.
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Oxfordshire County Council approves extra funding to tackle fuel poverty
People in Oxfordshire struggling with fuel poverty in poor energy-efficient homes will soon benefit from a new £6.4 million county council programme.
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Next steps in Oxford’s Local Plan 2040 set for cabinet approval
Oxford City Council is preparing to launch a new round of public consultation as the next steps in developing the Oxford Local Plan 2040 looks set for approval by the council’s cabinet.
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County cabinet approves continued stadium discussions with Oxford United FC
Any final decision regarding leasing of the land will be taken in public by a future cabinet meeting based on whether the council’s objectives have been met.
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Government backs new Oxford to Cambridge Pan Regional Partnership
Backing for the pan-regional partnership unlocks access to up to £2.5m in government funding for the partnership to support its priorities in delivering sustainable growth and environmental enhancements for the region.
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Help is at hand for people finding it hard to pay for food and energy bills
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have reopened the Household Support Fund scheme to help households meet the costs of life’s essentials.