Oxford City Council News
Read news and features about Oxford City Council – one of five district councils in Oxfordshire. It covers Oxford City – from Cutteslowe in the north to Littlemore and Blackbird Leys in the South, and from New Botley in the West to Barton and Sandhills in the East.
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Oxford North launches Engage programme to unite science, arts and community
Oxford North has unveiled Engage, a long-term arts, culture, and social value programme focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths). Delivered by IF Oxford in collaboration with Modern Art Oxford, Creation Theatre, and Fusion Arts, the initiative brings immersive community projects and events to the new innovation district.
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Oxford City Council confident of funding Cowley Branch Line despite review silence
Oxford City Council says it remains confident of securing funding to reopen the Cowley Branch Line, despite the project being absent from the government’s recent spending review. The scheme, which would add two stations near Oxford Science Park and ARC Oxford, depends on a £20 million local contribution.
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“Little Lungs, Big Impact” kicks off at Oxford’s Serco-run leisure centres
More Leisure Community Trust (MLCT), in partnership with Serco Leisure, has launched the “Little Lungs, Big Impact” initiative to ban smoking and vaping near entrances of its leisure centres in Oxford. The campaign prioritises children’s health by reducing their exposure to second-hand smoke.
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Oxford secures £21m government boost for city-wide low-carbon heat network
Oxford is set to launch a city-wide low-carbon heat network with £21m in government funding and an initial £100m from developer 1Energy. The Oxford Energy Network could grow to £500m, cutting carbon emissions by 15,000 tonnes annually and reducing fossil gas demand by 10%.
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Updated: City council leader slams county’s temporary congestion charge proposal
The leader of Oxford City Council has strongly criticised Oxfordshire County Council’s proposals to introduce a temporary congestion charge on several key city roads, citing a lack of engagement with businesses, residents, and the city council.
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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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Big Splash Weekend brings free swimming lessons to Oxford families
Oxford’s Big Splash Weekend takes place on 07 – 08 June across four local leisure centres: Hinksey Outdoor Pool, Ferry, Leys, and Barton. The event features free swimming lessons, fun family swim sessions, and inflatable obstacle courses.
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Oxford City Council approves New Blackbird Leys community centre plans
The purpose-built community centre will provide flexible, welcoming spaces for local residents and groups, with three large halls, a range of office spaces, and comfortable places for people to meet and relax.
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Oxford’s low-carbon housing project reaches highest point of construction
Oxford City Council’s housing company OX Place and Lucy Developments have reached the “topping out” milestone for Marston Paddock, a low-carbon housing project in Old Marston. Due for completion in Autumn 2025, the development will provide 40 affordable homes – 21 for social rent and 19 for shared ownership.
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Oxford City Council and Hill Group celebrate affordable homes project at Canalside
Oxford City Council and The Hill Group have marked a major milestone in the Canalside development at Oxford North, which will deliver 112 affordable homes by 2026. The project includes 90 social rent council homes and 22 shared ownership properties.
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Ferry Leisure Centre opens new indoor cycling studio and upgrades squash courts
Ferry Leisure Centre has unveiled a series of upgrades, including a new indoor cycling studio and refurbished squash courts. The dedicated cycling space, converted from a former squash court, offers both instructor-led and virtual classes for all fitness levels.
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Major milestone reached for Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme
The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme has taken a big step forward with approval to purchase land. Once built, it will reduce flood risk for over 160,000 residents and create a new wetland corridor west of Oxford.
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Road closures and preparations for May Morning 2025 in Oxford
The City Council is working with partners to prepare the city for thousands of people to attend May Morning 2022 for the first time in-person since 2019.
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Lunchtime Talk: ‘Lost in the Woods: The Story of Slade Camp’
Join Maurice East in Lunchtime Talk: Lost in the Woods: The Story of Slade Camp to hear how people built a community in the aftermath of war.
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Iffley Meadows sees fivefold increase in Snake’s-Head fritillary count
An annual count at Iffley Meadows in Oxfordshire recorded nearly 30,000 snake’s-head fritillaries, a dramatic recovery from a 30-year low of just over 6,000 in 2024. The rare wildflower, Oxfordshire’s county flower, blooms in one of the UK’s few remaining floodplain meadows.
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Artificial intelligence boosts swimmer safety at Oxford’s leisure centre
Three Oxford leisure centres have introduced AI-driven Assisted Lifeguard Technology (ALT) to enhance swimmer safety and support lifeguards. Backed by the Royal Lifesaving Society, ALT uses overhead cameras and AI to monitor swimmer behaviour, providing real-time alerts via smartwatches worn by lifeguards.