Oxford City Council

Work will start in January to install electricity infrastructure for boats to help reduce #airpollution along Oxford’s waterways. In 2023, we were awarded with the Canal & River Trust £193,000 from the Government’s annual Air Quality Grant to install ‘eco-moorings’ at the Aristotle Lane visitor moorings. The project will see the installation of three ‘eco-mooring’ bollards aiming to provide visiting boaters with electrical power infrastructure as an alternative to diesel engines, generators and wood burners for their daily heat and energy needs. In Oxford, it is estimated that there are around 200 boaters living on the rivers and canals, with half of them being visiting boaters. However, there are limited locations across the county where electrical power is available for boaters – especially for short-stay moorings. Without access to electricity, boaters are often forced to run diesel engines to charge up their batteries and to burn wood or coal to heat their houseboats, both of which have been proven to be harmful to human health. Work to install the eco-moorings will begin on 6 January and is expected to be completed by the end of February – subject the weather conditions. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/evDHv-3S

Our online social value platform, Match My Project, has enabled almost 200 hours of volunteer time and facilitated seven completed projects in its first year.   Match My Project Oxford is an easy-to-use online platform that matches businesses and individuals that want to donate their time and services with local community groups seeking support.   So far, completed projects include the redevelopment of Flo’s Pavilion at Flo’s in the Park, improvements to the energy efficiency of the historic Old Fire Station, and personalised tutoring sessions for young people at Windale Community Hub. However, there are still 33 projects waiting for a match.   It’s free and easy to get involved. Companies can engage in one-off or ongoing projects, with options tailored to individual skills and needs – from marketing and project management to construction and beyond. Community groups, in turn, gain essential expertise at no cost that helps bring their projects to life. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g75-riK2

Following approval by Cabinet on 11 December, we have opened public consultation on our draft Budget for 2025/26 and medium-term financial plan. Despite a backdrop of austerity, pandemic, inflation and councils going bankrupt across the UK, we have announced a balanced budget for the next four years. Key proposals include funding for: 🏠 almost 1,600 new council homes in the next eight years 🤝 delivering new community centres in East Oxford and Blackbird Leys 🌿 increased grass cutting and litter picking across Oxford 💡 £22m to improve energy efficiency in council homes 💧 a new splash park in Hinksey ⚽️ a freeze on pitch hire fees for sports teams We will also continue to maintain leisure centres, community centres, parks, youth clubs and other existing support for residents and businesses. Despite current uncertainties about central government support for councils, this will be achieved in part through the our wholly owned companies OX Place and ODS, which are expected to generate £19m in dividends to help fund services over the next four years. Consultation is now open on the Council’s consultation portal and will close at 23:59 on Friday 31 January.

Statement on the Government's plans for Devolution "We welcome the Government’s proposal to introduce mayoral combined authorities at the regional level across England. Devolution of some of the powers and funding currently held centrally by Government, and a clear framework to enable local authorities to coordinate delivery of housing, planning, transport and economic growth, puts decision making closer to local people and should ensure a better approach. This also presents a real opportunity to secure the investment in infrastructure required to support sustainable growth and deliver more affordable homes that Oxford clearly needs. In anticipation of the White Paper, we have already been engaging in discussions with neighbouring councils in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and elsewhere about the potential creation of a Thames Valley Mayoral Combined Authority. Government has also indicated it is seeking to introduce a single tier of local authorities – so-called unitary councils, as part of this process. The white paper mentions a population of around 500,000 as an appropriate size for unitaries in most areas, but also highlights there may be exceptions to ensure new structures make sense for an area, including for devolution, and that decisions will be on a case-by-case basis. 500,000 would be bigger than Oxford, but smaller than Oxfordshire, and also much bigger than most existing unitary councils. Government will be setting out information on how and when to submit proposals for unitary structures, but it has been clear that local government reorganisation should not delay devolution. We will therefore be looking carefully at what the options will be best for the residents of Oxford to reflect the very different needs of a city from its surrounding rural hinterland, and ensure they continue to have democratic representation at the closest level possible to reflect their views. Our neighbouring councils will be similarly looking for solutions that work for their own residents. Over the coming months we will continue to work constructively with them and with Government to explore where there are common aims around sustainable and inclusive growth, housing delivery and transport to best serve the interests and needs of our residents." - Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council

12 new council homes in the beating heart of East Oxford. That's what's currently being built in Princes Street, just off Cowley Road, by our housing company OX Place. As Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing, explains, these one and two-bedroom homes will be let at affordable social rent — around 40% of what a private landlord charges — to people in housing need on our waiting list. But that's not all. Alto, our newest development, will see another 14 shared-ownership homes come onto the market in Collins Street, giving more people the chance to get on the property ladder. A 'Fabric first' design and features like air source heat pumps and solar panels mean both developments will be highly energy-efficient — comfortably beating our planning requirements for carbon reduction and reducing energy use for tenants and shared owners.

Statement welcoming new mandatory housing targets as planning reforms announced "We welcome the government’s publication of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as this should help ensure we can deliver desperately needed new homes in Oxford. "Oxford City Council are builders, not blockers. We have a strong track record on housing delivery. Since the start of our current Local Plan in 2016/17 there have been 4,145 net housing completions in Oxford and we expect a further 3,446 net completions by the end of 2027/28. "The new NPPF raises housebuilding targets across the country and makes them mandatory again. We welcome this move given the affordability crisis that permeates nearly every aspect of life in our city. Oxford needs homes. "It’s not just about numbers. It’s also important these homes are built in good quality environments supported by energy, transport and social infrastructure. We welcome further discussion with government about investment in infrastructure needed to support new homes. "We are disappointed to see some of our neighbouring councils trying to rush out their Local Plans in a desperate attempt to avoid having to include the new housing targets. For this reason, the only sensible way forward is to have strategic planning for new housing and other development at sub-regional level." - Councillor Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Planning

Our housing company OX Place is committed to building communities as well as affordable new homes. This means creating social value through things like work and training opportunities on their developments. Adison is an apprentice site manager for LIFE Build, working on OX Place’s development of 12 new council homes in Princes Street and 14 shared ownership homes in Collins Street. In this video, he talks about what he’s learned and how his apprenticeship is helping open up opportunities for a future in the construction industry.

Councils across the UK are going bankrupt. Why aren't we? As Councillor Ed Turner explains, it's because of the Oxford Model. Learn more: Video description: Cllr Ed Turner walks around Rose Hill Community Centre, which is owned and operated by Oxford City Council, speaking to camera about the Oxford Model.

Against a backdrop of austerity, pandemic, inflation and councils going bankrupt across the UK, we have announced a balanced budget for the next four years. The Council’s Budget proposals for 2025/26 include funding for: 🏠 Almost 1,600 new homes for Oxford 👋 Two new community centres, in East Oxford and Blackbird Leys ✂️ Increased grass cutting across Oxford 🗑 Increased litter picking across Oxford 💡 £22m to improve the energy efficiency of council homes 💧 A new splash park in Hinksey ⚽️ A freeze on pitch-hire fees for sports teams The Council will also continue to maintain its leisure centres, community centres, parks, youth clubs, and other existing support for residents and businesses. This has been achieved in part through the ‘Oxford Model’, which will see our companies generate £19m in profit to help fund services over the next four years. Our Budget proposals will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on 11 December, after which a public consultation will be opened to get the views of Oxford residents. Read the full proposal: https://lnkd.in/g25k4tmq

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of the Council, walks us through what the results tell us. Key findings about Oxford: 💙 70% of residents are satisfied with their local area – up from 66% in 2023 🤝 78% feel their local area is a place where people from different cultures and backgrounds get along well – up from 76% in 2023 🔒 Residents feel safe during the day in their local area (87%) and in the city centre (90%), but less safe at night (69% and 68%, respectively) Key findings about Oxford City Council: 👍 54% of Oxford residents are satisfied with Oxford City Council's performance – up from 52% in 2023 💻 75% use the Council’s online services – up from 68% in 2023 The Council services residents were most satisfied with were: 🌿 Parks and open spaces (79% satisfied) 🏛 Museums (79%) 🗑 Recycling and waste collection (71%) Read more at link in bio. Video description: Councillor Susan Brown walks along Cowley Road, speaking to camera about the most recent Oxford Residents' Survey results. She is wearing a red and black coat and the footage is layered with footage of Oxford City Council building projects and initiatives.