Oxfordshire County Council News
Browse news and stories about Oxfordshire County Council – the local authority for the county of Oxfordshire responsible for delivering services like social care, education and transport to the county’s 600,000+ residents.
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First phase of The Ranges completed for innovative automotive and aviation companies
Bicester Motion and construction partner Kier have completed the first phase of The Ranges, a £26.8m development for innovative automotive and aviation companies, delivering a 90,000 sq ft headquarters for YASA, a Mercedes-Benz subsidiary.
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Oxfordshire students encouraged to explore options on A-Level Results Day
Oxfordshire students receiving A-Level, BTEC and T Level results are being encouraged to explore their next steps. Advice is available on continuing education, apprenticeships, training or work through trusted resources including Oxme, UCAS, Gov.UK and the National Careers Service.
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Nearly 40 Oxfordshire flood reduction schemes receive grants
Oxfordshire County Council is awarding over £500k in grants to fund 39 schemes aimed at reducing flooding across the county. Chosen from more than 80 applications, the projects include drainage improvements, natural flood management, ditch works, flood sensors, and public awareness measures.
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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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Supported housing in Oxfordshire transforms lives of people with learning disabilities and autism
A £5m investment has provided over 20 adults with learning disabilities and autism in Oxfordshire the opportunity to live independently, with five renovated homes in Witney, Banbury, Bicester, Kidlington, and Horspath now offering 24-hour support to meet tenants’ needs.
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Thames Travel invests £3m in ultra-low-emission buses for River Rapids route
Thames Travel has invested £3m in ten new ultra-low-emission buses for its River Rapids route between Oxford and Reading. The upgraded service will feature increased weekday and weekend frequencies and the return of the X40 to Abingdon Road for faster Oxford access.
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Graven Hill submits new hybrid planning application to Cherwell District Council
A hybrid planning application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council for the remaining residential development at Graven Hill. Prepared by Graven Hill Village Development Company, it seeks both outline and full planning permission, including homes, an extra care facility, a pub/restaurant, and green spaces.
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Trading standards teams catch illegal tobacco trader in joint operation
Michael Addison, 65, from Cheltenham, was caught with counterfeit cigarettes and smuggled tobacco in Kidlington just six months after receiving a suspended prison sentence for similar offences. Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards service, working with SEROCU and Thames Valley Police, found Addison in possession of illegal tobacco and sales records.
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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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Oxfordshire road resurfacing work underway to improve highways
A county-wide road resurfacing programme is underway across Oxfordshire, led by Oxfordshire County Council and its contractor, M Group. Spanning 36 sites, the project aims to improve road conditions, safety, and driving comfort by mid-October.
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Cropredy primary children to perform at the Fairport Convention
Children from Cropredy Church of England Primary School are set to perform at the Fairport Convention in Cropredy this summer, thanks to a bold and imaginative curriculum revamp led by their musically passionate headteacher, Will Reeves.
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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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12,000 Oxfordshire families benefit from free holiday activities and food programme
Over 12,000 Oxfordshire families have benefitted from the government-backed Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Aimed at children aged 4–16 who receive free school meals, the initiative offers free holiday clubs combining sports, arts, science, and nutritious meals.
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Oxfordshire EV charging scheme for residents without off-street parking
Oxfordshire County Council has launched a pilot scheme enabling residents without off-street parking to safely charge electric vehicles at home. The £700k government-funded project will initially support 500 households with the installation of EV charging cable channels across pavements.
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Free pop-up play events return to Oxford for families with children under five
Families in Oxford have two more weeks to enjoy free pop-up play events designed for children aged five and under, organised by Oxfordshire County Council with support from local partners.
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Oxfordshire Bus Enhanced Partnership secures £10m funding boost for 2025/26
Oxfordshire County Council and local bus operators have secured over £10m in funding for 2025–26 to enhance bus services across the county. The grant will support infrastructure upgrades, such as smart signals and real-time displays, and vehicle improvements.