The traffic filter trial will operate in a similar way to the temporary congestion charge, with the filters at the same six locations and a permit scheme in place. The key difference is that car drivers will no longer be able to pay the £5 congestion charge to go through the traffic filters.

However, with Botley Road open, everywhere in Oxford will be accessible by car without having to drive through a traffic filter. You may need to take an alternative route.

Cars with valid permits and all other vehicles can travel through the filters at all times.

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: "The experience of the temporary congestion charge has shown encouraging signs that people are changing how they travel. We have seen strong growth in park and ride use and significant increases in bus patronage. The traffic filter trial is the next step in helping us tackle congestion that has blighted the city for decades.

“A six-month public consultation will open on Monday. I’m keen to understand the impacts of the trial scheme and see the feedback from residents, organisations and businesses. Your views and experiences will help us shape our future plans for improving travel and transport in and around Oxford.”

For most people who already hold a temporary congestion charge permit, there is no need to take any action as their permits are transferred to the traffic filter scheme.

People who don’t yet have a permit can apply online. Residents in the Oxford permit area are eligible for 100 free day passes per year, while residents in the Oxfordshire permit area are eligible for 25 free day passes per year.

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The footbridge, which connects Swan Street with Ferry Hinksey Road and is used by residents including parents and pupils at West Oxford Community Primary School, was closed after Oxfordshire County Council inspectors identified safety concerns with the structure.

A short diversionary route goes from West Street to Botley Road and then back around to Ferry Hinksey Road. It will add about 10 minutes to most people’s journeys.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repairs, said: “We know how popular this footbridge is, and how important it is for this community.

“However, we cannot compromise when it comes to the safety of the public. The decision to close the bridge has not been taken lightly, but it was the only option in the circumstances.”

Engineers from the council and its principal highways contractor M Group will now consider options to reopen the bridge as soon as practically possible.

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People in Oxfordshire who are eligible for annual winter flu and COVID jabs are being encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Flu vaccinations are now available for pregnant women, children aged two to three years, school-aged children from reception to year 11, and children aged six months and over who have a long-term health condition that puts them at greater risk from flu.

Those aged 65 and over, those under 65 years old in a clinic risk group, people who live in care homes, carers, frontline health and social care workers, and those experiencing homelessness, will be able to get their free booster from 1 October.

Residents in care homes for older people, all adults aged 75 or over and individuals who are immunosuppressed aged six months and over can also get a free COVID booster. 

An RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine is also available to pregnant women, people aged 75 and over, adults of any age living in a care home for older adults, and those aged 65 to 74 who have a weakened immune system or a long-term lung condition (excluding well-controlled asthma).

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: "Flu, COVID and RSV can pose serious risks, especially to people with certain health conditions. They spread more in winter as we gather indoors, increasing the risk of severe illness. 

“The vaccination programme aims to provide those who need the most protection with the help they need. Getting the vaccine not only gives you extra protection but also protects your loved ones and those you work with.

“It's important to boost your protection regularly, as immunity decreases and viruses change each year, so don’t put it off, book your appointment today.

"As always, if you have a fever or feel unwell from a respiratory infection, stay home and limit contact with others."  

Where possible, vaccines will be given on the same day. Find out more about the vaccinations and how to book an appointment by visiting the NHS website.

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Helping residents, families and carers understand what can lead to a fall, and take proactive measures, can be crucial to keeping people in their own homes and out of hospital.

Falling over at home or when out and about is not an inevitable part of getting older, and there are ways to reduce the risk of it happening.

Falls Prevention Week highlights the things people can do to minimise the risk of falling. Falling over and becoming injured can be the start of a progression where people end up in hospital with an injury or illness, accelerating their need to use health and care services.

The website provides a single source of clear information and has been developed through Oxfordshire’s system falls prevention group, bringing together partners from across health, social care, district councils, the voluntary sector, ambulance services, care providers, academic colleagues and Oxfordshire County Council.

The site helps identify risks such as cluttered routes around the home and how cold or hot weather and different medications can affect balance and hydration levels. It also outlines practical steps people can take, such as staying active, going for a walk, or taking part in something they enjoy, to help reduce the risk of falling.

The aim is to support people to take early action, maintain confidence and stay independent for longer.

There is also information about where to go if you have concerns about falling or need help after a fall.

The web pages have already received great feedback from a patient advisory group, which said they were “really nice and simple to understand… clear and easy to read. The homepage is really good; it immediately helps to identify what one needs, such as an actual fall, or the other options to seek information, such as being the carer.”

Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “Falls can have a significant impact on people’s confidence, health and independence, but they are not an inevitable part of getting older.

“This new website brings together clear, practical advice so people can understand their risks, take early action and know where to find support.

“It has been developed through strong partnership working across Oxfordshire, with organisations from health, social care, local councils, the voluntary sector and others contributing their expertise.

“Our aim is to help people stay active, stay well and remain independent for as long as possible. I would encourage residents, families, carers and professionals to take a look and share it with anyone who may benefit.”

Antoinette Broad, Senior Clinical Lead and Advanced Practitioner for Intensive Community Care with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Falls prevention is a priority for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. I see first-hand the significant impact that falls can have on people’s health, confidence and independence, so anything that helps prevent them in the first place is really important.

“This new webpage brings together clear, practical information to help people reduce their risk of falling and understand where to access support if they are worried about themselves or someone they care for.”

A spokesperson for Oxford City Council said: “A fall can affect more than your mobility. It can impact your confidence and independence.

“The Falls Prevention website can help you find the right support, including advice on staying safe at home, reducing fall risks, and learning how the city council’s Home Improvement Agency can help you remain independent through practical home adaptations and support services.”

Paul Ringer, CEO at Age UK Oxfordshire, said: “We were pleased to contribute to the development of this resource, bringing together practical advice to help people reduce their risk of falling.

“Falls can have a significant impact on a person’s confidence and independence. By helping people stay active and understand the steps they can take to look after their health, we can support more people to remain independent and continue living safely in their own homes and communities.”

The website is available at www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/falls.

The web pages have been created by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, with expert input from Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Age UK Oxfordshire, Oxford City Council, Thames Valley Integrated Care Board, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, South Central Ambulance Service.

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Roadworks by the housing developer David Wilson Homes at the Peachcroft roundabout are set to coincide with Oxfordshire County Council’s project at the A34 Lodge Hill junction for around six weeks, starting on Monday 28 September. The two sites are linked by a stretch of the A4183 Oxford Road.

The council is working closely with both project teams and contractors to coordinate the works effectively and implement the most appropriate traffic management.

Every effort is being made to sequence activities efficiently, maintain access where practicable, and reduce unnecessary disruption to residents, businesses, public transport operators, and all road users.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, said: “As highways authority, we would not normally permit two schemes like this to go ahead so close to each other at the same, due to the risk of creating additional congestion and delay.

“However, these are exceptional circumstances and allowing them to take place together will reduce the overall duration of the disruption and avoid delays to either of these vital schemes.”

Work at the Peachcroft roundabout, which connects the A4183, Dunmore Road and Twelve Acre Drive, will have temporary traffic lights in place to manage the flow of traffic.

Work at the Lodge Hill junction will involve two-way temporary traffic lights on the A4183 between the entrance to the Lodge Hill garage and the start of the new south roundabout. This set-up is in addition to the series of overnight closures on the A34 southbound between 21 September - 5 October.

Cllr Leffman added: “While some delays may be unavoidable, traffic management measures have been carefully considered to balance the need to complete these improvements safely with the need to keep traffic moving through the area. The works are also being monitored, allowing adjustments to be made where appropriate to minimise congestion.

“We recognise that the likely disruption will be frustrating, but we believe the short-term inconvenience will help deliver long-term benefits for the community and those travelling through Abingdon.”

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It has long been the case that the council has opposed the use of Campsfield House as an immigration detention centre. On 7 October 2022, the full council supported a motion opposing its reopening. That motion reflected profound concerns about the treatment of people seeking safety and concluded that a reopening would represent a costly, ineffective, and regressive approach to immigration policy.

In adopting the motion, the Council highlighted the history of Campsfield House prior to its closure, noting that nearly 30,000 migrants had been detained at the site and that its operation had been associated with sustained protests, hunger strikes, legal challenges, escapes and two suicides. The motion further noted that the facility was ultimately closed following a highly critical inquiry into conditions at the centre.

The council also considered the wider operation of the asylum system and resolved that government should prioritise the prompt and fair processing of asylum claims, rather than expanding immigration detention. Full council called for:

• the cancellation of the reopening of Campsfield House as a detention centre;
• the creation of safe havens and expanded legal routes through which people can seek asylum in the United Kingdom; and
• the prompt and fair determination of asylum claims, with appropriate safeguards enabling people seeking asylum to live and work within communities while their claims are considered.

In his letter Councillor Neil Fawcett, the Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The current planning application does not address the concerns that underpinned the council's resolution. Instead, it seeks to expand the Immigration Removal Centre through the provision of additional accommodation and supporting infrastructure, thereby increasing the scale and permanence of a use to which the Council has formally objected.

“Campsfield House has long been the subject of significant public concern and sustained local opposition. The proposed expansion risks perpetuating and intensifying those concerns, making additional support for Thames Valley Police necessary to maintain public safety.

“Oxfordshire has a strong record of supporting all people in need, including those who have fled violence and persecution, which aligns with our status as a Council of Sanctuary. The council believes that people seeking sanctuary should be treated with dignity and humanity and that national policy should focus on safe and legal routes, timely and fair decision making and appropriate support rather than increased reliance on immigration detention. Oxfordshire County Council strongly urges the Secretary of State to refuse expansion of this facility and seek to close it permanently."

The programme examined historical cases of child sexual exploitation in Oxford, including those connected to Operation Bullfinch.

A Serious Case Review conducted following Operation Bullfinch identified significant failings in the way agencies responded at the time. Oxfordshire County Council accepted the findings of that review and apologised for those failings.

The review led to significant changes across Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley Police, health partners and safeguarding agencies. By the time the Serious Case Review was published in 2015, it reported that its key recommendations had already been implemented. 

Changes were made to strengthen safeguarding arrangements, improve multi-agency working, ensure that children and young people were listened to, and enhance the identification of and response to child sexual exploitation.

Protecting children remains our highest priority. Children's services in Oxfordshire have been inspected by Ofsted on multiple occasions over the past 12 years and have consistently been rated ‘Good’, with inspectors recognising effective partnership working and positive practice in safeguarding children, including the response to child sexual exploitation.

Today's safeguarding arrangements are very different from those that existed during the period covered by the programme. The council works closely with police, health partners, schools and voluntary sector organisations to protect vulnerable children and young people, support victims and survivors, and help bring perpetrators to justice.

We recognise that the programme may be difficult and upsetting for victims, survivors, their families and others affected by child sexual exploitation. We remain committed to listening to victims and survivors, supporting our safeguarding partners, and continuing to do everything possible to keep children and young people safe.

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Next week, the project will replace the existing carriageway surface and road markings. It will also include verge clearance and drainage repairs and improvements.

The scheme has been developed by Oxfordshire County Council and its highways contactor M Group in close collaboration with industry-leading highways and low-carbon materials specialists.

It brings together five complementary innovations, which collectively are expected to reduce embodied carbon emissions by more than 30 tonnes of CO2 equivalent compared with conventional resurfacing.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repairs, said: “This project represents an exciting opportunity to bring together several industry-leading innovations within a single scheme and better understand how they can help us reduce carbon emissions from highway maintenance.

“Importantly, the trial is about more than carbon reduction alone. We are also exploring how these technologies can improve durability, reduce future maintenance requirements and support better long-term outcomes for Oxfordshire's road network.”

The largest single carbon saving is expected to come through replacing a conventional asphalt binder course with a bespoke mix of Breedon’s ACLA Net Zero Binder Course that has been specifically developed for this scheme.

The innovations have also been chosen for their ability to improve construction quality, enhance long-term durability and support biodiversity. These include:

• The use of Breedon's ACLA net zero binder course, a lower-carbon asphalt material that is expected to deliver the largest carbon saving within the scheme.
• Shell Cariphalte Ultra Carbon Sink Polymer Modified Bitumen, which combines carbon reduction benefits with enhanced pavement durability.
• Thermal Joint Heating technology to improve the quality and longevity of asphalt joints.
• Cold-applied MMA road markings, to be delivered by Wilson & Scott Highways which significantly reduce installation emissions compared with conventional thermoplastic markings.
• A biodiversity enhancement programme, including the creation of habitat features using suitable site-won materials.
• Solar powered welfare cabins and high-tech traffic management to reduce resource requirements, provided by TSM Ltd
• Use of electric plant by sub-contractors Breedon and DJT.

Richard Lovewell, M Group’s Business Director said: “M Group is proud to be working with Oxfordshire County Council to pioneer new approaches to carbon reduction.

“This is much more than a change in material use: by working in alliance with our supply chain partners Breedon, DJT, TSM and Wilson & Scott we are combining a range of lower carbon materials, plant and equipment, welfare cabins, traffic management innovation and techniques within one project. This enables us to evaluate how they perform together in real-world conditions and generate learning that could influence future schemes across the industry.”

To enable the work to be carried out safely, the road will be closed in three phases:

• Phase 1: Monday 21 September to Friday 25 September: Full road closure to allow verge clearance, drainage repairs and resurfacing preparation works.
• Phase 2: Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October: Full road closure to enable carriageway resurfacing and the replacement of road markings.
• Phase 3: Monday 5 October to Wednesday 7 October: Full road closure to complete drainage improvements and verge reinstatement.

A signed diversion route will be in place throughout the closures, and the road will be reopened whenever it is safe to do so outside these periods. Staff will be positioned at either end of the closure to assist residents, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and to help maintain the safety of both the workforce and the travelling public.

More information is available on the highways maintenance page of Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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An Oxford shop has been refused an alcohol licence following objections from Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards service.

Oxford City Council’s licensing and gambling acts casework sub-committee considered the application for Matean Market, 128 Hollow Way, Oxford on Monday 7 September. Trading Standards objected on the grounds that granting the licence could undermine efforts to prevent crime and disorder.

The application sought permission for the shop to sell alcohol for consumption elsewhere between 8am and 11pm each day.

The premises has a significant history of tobacco related offending under previous owners, with illegal cigarettes bought during test purchases and seized between 2017 and 2024.

Since 2019, seven people connected with the shop have been convicted of tobacco or vaping product offences.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities said: “Residents and legitimate businesses should not have to accept high street premises becoming repeatedly associated with criminal activity.

“This decision shows the value of trading standards gathering detailed evidence, working closely with the police and using the full range of powers available to protect Oxfordshire’s communities.”

In May 2026, trading standards received further reports that illegal tobacco was being stored in residential accommodation linked to the address and supplied through the shop. A covert visit on 3 August found activity consistent with those reports.

On 14 August, trading standards and Thames Valley Police executed a warrant at the address, finding 127 packets of illegal cigarettes and 480g of illegal hand rolling tobacco in a bedroom within the residential accommodation.

Police also recovered a knife and cash. Three people were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences. One was also arrested on suspicion of tobacco and trade mark offences. The criminal investigation remains ongoing.

On 15 August, Thames Valley Police obtained a three month partial closure order at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court. The order restricts access to the premises to the landlord, police and council officers.

Davina Walkin, Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards Operations Manager added: “This was not an objection based simply on the reputation of an address or the conduct of previous operators. The sub-committee was presented with a long history of offending together with recent intelligence, covert observations and the results of the warrant execution.

“Trading standards had to consider whether there could be confidence that the premises would operate lawfully and responsibly if it were permitted to sell alcohol. We welcome the sub-committee’s decision to refuse the application.”

Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco can contact 0300 999 6 999 or report it anonymously via www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.

More information

• The licensing decision is separate from the ongoing criminal investigation. No assumptions should be made about the criminal liability of any individual unless and until criminal proceedings have concluded.

• Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death in the UK.

• Cheap illegal tobacco undermines public health work by making smoking more affordable and supporting suppliers who operate outside the regulated market.

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Councillor Neil Fawcett, the Deputy Leader of the county council sent the letter of objection to the government setting out a range of serious concerns about the proposals at the MOD Bicester Site A,

The Home Office first announced the plan in the summer – giving local authorities less than 24 hours’ notice and with no prior engagement with local residents or partners.

In the letter Councillor Fawcett said: “This application gives limited consideration to the impact on nearby communities, despite acknowledging possible anxiety, protest, demonstration or disorder associated with a non-detained site.

“The proximity to the Buckinghamshire border also gives the proposals wider impact. Thames Valley Police, who have already had to engage with tensions before construction has begun, should be provided with additional financial support to keep people safe.

“The council has not seen a sufficiently developed community engagement plan from government to prevent and respond to misinformation and community tensions. Decisions of this scale must be developed transparently and in genuine partnership with local communities, which has not happened here.”

The letter raises objections including:

• Poor connections to surrounding settlements and lack of access to buses, footways, cycleways and street lighting
• Unresolved questions about flood risk, land contamination, wildfire, hazardous materials and risks relating to fire protection between temporary accommodation units.
• The lack of locally agreed arrangements for disease prevention and outbreak management alongside greater clarity on vaccination, prescribing, isolation capacity, contact tracing, room and occupancy and the availability of spare rooms should there be an outbreak.
• Questions about whether shared modular accommodation can remain safe and suitable during increasingly extreme temperatures.
• Insufficient detail on mental health support and privacy for people experiencing poor mental wellbeing or post traumatic stress
• The lack of clarity about the range, capacity and quality of welfare and health services that will be provided on the site nor how adult social care, safeguarding, public health, fire and rescue, hospitals, transport and other local services would be assessed, funded and mitigated – with the same concern applying to local voluntary and community organisations.

Oxfordshire County Council has “Council of Sanctuary” status, which involves a commitment to ensuring that anyone placed in the county by the Home Office is treated with basic dignity and humanity. The letter to government concludes: “Supporting people in need and standing alongside local communities are not mutually exclusive. A responsible accommodation policy must do both. In the council’s view this proposal does neither.”

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Yesterday Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet approved the submission of its local transport delivery plan (LTDP) to the Department for Transport, detailing how it plans to spend £245.5 million of government funding between 2026 - 27 and 2029 - 30.

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This sets out the latest stage of our investment in transport in Oxfordshire. Across all modes and all the county, we are maintaining and improving our networks.

“This includes an increase in funding for active travel, though not to the level we would expect, as government recognises our increased capability. While some government funding has been unfortunately cut, we remain determined to continue to deliver better transport.

“This county council administration is working hard to deliver better facilities for bus and rail users, walkers, cyclists and drivers, and hope to announce details of additional investment in the future.”

The funding has been allocated for projects including:

• road maintenance, including repairs and preventative measures
• bus improvements, including support for local services, ticketing schemes, vehicle improvements and passenger information
• active travel projects, including the development of walking and cycling schemes and studies and improving infrastructure
• Oxfordshire’s electric vehicle infrastructure strategy
• schemes linked to the Vision Zero programme aimed at eliminating deaths and serious injuries from Oxfordshire’s road by 2050.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repairs, said: “While it’s pleasing to see we are getting the money from the government we expected for highway maintenance, there is still a shortfall. That is why this council also puts a considerable amount of money from our council taxpayers into repairing and maintaining our roads.”

Other items set to be funded include a heavy goods vehicles pilot interventions scheme to support sustainable freight movement across the county, and setting up a mobility hub in Benson to create a sustainable transport network.

The finalised LTDP will be published by the government later this year, although the document will be reviewed annually.

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Applications have now opened for the Community Capacity Fund, administered by Oxfordshire Community Foundation, with £503,392.50 available in grants of between £5,000 and £20,000. 

The funding is designed to support Oxfordshire County Council’s Oxfordshire Way approach, helping residents to live well in their own communities for as long as possible by backing local activities that reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, increase physical activity and strengthen community support.

Over the past year, Oxfordshire Community Foundation funding, which helps build thriving communities, has supported 38 projects across the county. Hundreds of people have taken part in theatre and concerts, learned practical life skills such as cooking, accessed counselling, enjoyed gardening through improved accessibility, found warm spaces and meals, and joined physical activities including pickleball.

A second funding stream, worth £271,057.50, will also be available through Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, OCVA, working with Community First Oxfordshire, CFO. These smaller awards of up to £5,000 will open on Tuesday 6 October and remain available until the funding has been allocated.

Last year, 86 groups benefited from the smaller awards, helping local organisations provide practical, accessible and inclusive activities close to where people live.

Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, said:

 “Community groups are often the first to spot what people need and the first to offer practical, compassionate support.

“This funding gives organisations rooted in their communities the chance to grow their ideas, reach more residents and make everyday life better for people who may otherwise feel isolated or struggle to access support.

“Whether it is a meal, a warm welcome, a drama session, a gardening group or a chance to try something new, these activities can be a lifeline. They help people build confidence, make friends and get the right support at the right time.

“If you volunteer with or support a community group that helps people live well, stay independent and feel connected, I encourage you to apply.

“This funding is a great opportunity to bring good ideas to life and make a difference.”

The difference this funding can make can be seen at Chipping Norton Theatre, which has continued to provide drama sessions for neurodivergent adults and adults with a learning disability. The programme transformed the life of one participant who previously would not speak and now performs on stage. Another participant said: “I really enjoy coming to drama because it gives me the chance to meet my friends and it has helped me have more confidence in myself when performing.”

Witney Community Meal is another example of local action making a real difference. It provides meals every Thursday from High Street Methodist Church, helping to tackle food poverty and social isolation while also creating volunteering opportunities, including for neurodiverse people.

Apply now: Groups seeking between £5,000 and £20,000 should check the eligibility criteria and submit an expression of interest online at OCF by Monday 5 October.

Community groups looking to apply for up to £5,000, alongside additional support from OCVA and CFO, can find out more online. Organisations are encouraged to read the guidance carefully, check which funding stream best fits their project, and apply as soon as possible.

Notes for Editors

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, OCVA, assists people to help others by supporting and empowering volunteers, networks, partnerships and non-profit organisations.

Community First Oxfordshire, CFO, is a community development charity which helps groups and individuals to identify issues that affect them and find their own solutions. It supports and advises volunteer-led actions in Oxfordshire, helping hundreds of volunteers fulfil many roles in their communities.

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The grants, ranging from £85 to £3,000, will be used by organisations across the county to tackle the impact of high temperatures, floods, droughts, and storms in Oxfordshire caused by climate change.

The expanded community resilience small grants programme, administered by Community Action Groups Oxfordshire (CAG) and funded by £44,724 from Oxfordshire County Council, supports local events and activities which address or raise awareness of climate adaptation.

This year’s grants have increased from last year when 11 groups received a total of £12,000.

The money will help fund projects including practical ways to make homes more bearable during heatwaves, creating cooler community spaces, tree planting, growing food, harvesting rainwater, and tackling climate anxiety.

The full list of recipients can be found on the CAG Oxfordshire website.

Katherine Chesson, Director of CAG Oxfordshire, said: “Our role at CAG is to support community leaders who, in turn, are able to support their neighbours.

“With this strategic funding from the county council, we are able to make a direct investment in local knowledge and expertise in order to facilitate more connected, prepared communities from the impacts of the climate and nature crisis.”

Councillor Laura Gordon, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “The increase in funding allocated for these grants this year shows how important we believe it is to support communities in carrying out these projects.

“They are the experts and know their own areas better than anyone. This summer’s heatwaves were not one-off occurrences, but the new reality for the UK and we all need to adapt. So, it is inspiring to be able to help so many communities to help themselves tackle the heat and other instances of extreme weather.”

The awards also recognise that climate action will impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

Flooding in Oxfordshire in recent years brought this into the spotlight, with some people suffering a loss of livelihood and a negative impact on their mental health. These events are going to be more common going forward as extreme weather events become more frequent.

One of the recipients is the Cherwell Collective, which successfully applied in all three categories – heat safe homes grants, community resilience grants, and climate anxiety grants.

Victoria Russell, Programme Manager at Cherwell Collective, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the long and short term support of CAG Oxfordshire. The funds are going to help us tackle climate anxiety within Oxfordshire and go towards the work that Cherwell Collective is doing with the Oxfordshire Good Waste Charter, a grassroots initiative that is looking to pave the way for waste in Oxfordshire.”

The council has been increasing its focus on improving heat resilience in the county through a series of training and information events and seminars this year.

It has funded the CAGs to appoint a resilience coordinator to begin community-led learning and capacity building and launched a community of best practice for building resilience, with the first event taking place in September 2026.

Climate risks such as extreme heat, intense storms, and severe flooding are an increasing threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable residents, including older people, people with disabilities, and those with long-term health conditions.

In England, an estimated 2,877 heat-associated deaths occurred during this year’s May and June heat events alone. Many homes, schools, hospitals, public buildings, and other infrastructure are not designed for the weather events now being experienced and are becoming increasingly vulnerable.

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They will be doing so alongside over 40 existing schools who already benefit from the GL Assessments Wellcomm speech and language programme, ensuring support is available early, when it is needed most. 

The Oxfordshire ‘Out Loud’ Wellcomm programme is a £90,000 investment by Oxfordshire County Council, through its new SEND reform budget for the academic year 2026-27. It is set to benefit all pupils, not just those who have special educational needs and disabilities.

Councillor Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This investment will make a significant difference at the right time in a child's education. The initiative enables schools to screen children's language and communication development and deliver targeted interventions, with resources available for everyday classroom teaching.”

By understanding where children may be facing language and communication differences and having a measurable baseline at an early stage, schools can provide practical and specific help quickly, with the aim of preventing these needs becoming a barrier to learning.

Schools in the Oxfordshire ‘Out Loud’ programme will have access to guidance from the council’s specialist advisory teachers and Oxford Health’s speech and language therapists to support using the screening tool and to build on language and communication support within their classrooms. This means children receive help when needs are identified instead of waiting for referrals to specialist services. 

Over 2,200 children in 44 schools were screened between March 2025 and March 2026. Following intervention and specific teaching approaches, there was an increase of nearly 30 per cent of pupils screening at expected levels compared to their initial screening scores. This positive progress is crucial in supporting children’s language and communication skills in Oxfordshire.

In addition to the Wellcomm investment, Oxford Health has delivered a major waiting list recovery programme within its speech and language therapy service. Between September 2024 and August 2026, the number of children and young people waiting reduced from 2,890 to 1,214. Over the same period, the number waiting more than a year reduced from 1,408 to 149, representing an almost 90 per cent reduction in long waits.

Mark Chambers, Head of Children’s Community Services, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The earlier we can identify and support speech, language and communication needs, the better the outcomes for children and young people.

“This expansion is a positive step forward for Oxfordshire, bringing together schools, the council and NHS services to ensure more children receive the right support at the right time.

“We are proud to play our part in helping children develop the communication skills that are so important for learning and life.”

Oxfordshire ‘Out Loud’ builds on the proven success of Oxfordshire's early years advisory team, which has used the WellComm toolkit to support speech, language and communication development since 2021.

The early years advisory team has rolled out the WellComm toolkit to all private, voluntary and independent settings and school based nurseries across the county, alongside a comprehensive training and support programme.

This has enabled practitioners to confidently identify children's language needs early, implement targeted support strategies and improve outcomes for children, including those with English as an additional language.

There are plans to make the programme available in all primary schools across the county by 2030, with future opportunities to explore support for secondary aged pupils as well. 

Further information is available by emailing: primarywellcomm@oxfordshire.gov.uk 

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An Oxford restaurant and shisha lounge operator has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 after pleading guilty to tobacco offences following an investigation by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards.

At Reading Magistrates' Court on 11 September 2026, Karim Elmoheen pleaded guilty to three tobacco offences. He also entered guilty pleas on behalf of Aywarestaurants Ltd, the company which operates Mint Kitchen & Lounge, 21 Temple Street, Oxford.

The prosecution followed a trading standards inspection of the premises on 23 February 2025 as part of a project examining compliance at premises supplying shisha products.

During the inspection, officers found widespread breaches of tobacco packaging legislation. Many products did not carry the legally required health warnings, whilst others referred to prohibited flavours, tastes and smells. Officers also found tobacco that had been decanted into unlabelled containers.

In total, trading standards seized 116 unit packs of waterpipe tobacco weighing more than 35 kilograms. 

The court heard that the business had previously received advice and guidance from trading standards during a compliance visit in August 2024. Despite this, substantial quantities of non-compliant tobacco remained available for supply when officers returned to the premises in February 2025.

Magistrates fined Elmoheen £120, ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £48 and contribute £168 towards prosecution costs. Aywarestaurants Ltd was fined £240, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £96 and contribute £336 towards prosecution costs. The total financial penalty imposed was £1,008. The court also ordered the forfeiture of all tobacco products seized during the investigation.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: "Many people wrongly believe that smoking shisha is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. Tobacco laws exist to ensure consumers are given clear information about the health risks involved”

Davina Walkin, Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Operations Manager, said: “The products found at Mint Kitchen & Lounge lacked important health warnings and included unlawful references to tastes and smells.  The business had previously received advice and guidance, which it did not follow.  We welcome the guilty pleas entered in this case.”

Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco can contact 0300 999 6 999 or report it anonymously via www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk

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• At the time of the seizure the tobacco duty rate for waterpipe tobacco was £183.49 per kilogram.
• Waterpipe tobacco, commonly known as shisha, is a regulated tobacco product and suppliers must adhere to strict rules on packaging and description.
• The offences related to failures to display statutory health warnings and the use of packaging referring to prohibited tastes or smells.
• All seized tobacco products were forfeited by order of the court and will be destroyed.
• Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK.

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Oxfordshire County Council carried out the carriageway maintenance and resurfacing programme along the A361 through Banbury, between the junctions with the A422 Hennef Way roundabout and the B4100 Banbury Cross roundabout.

The work began on 24 August and was completed on 10 September – one shift ahead of schedule.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repairs, said: “This was a very important scheme for Banbury as this road runs right through the heart of the town. It was a massive piece of work, and it needed to be done as it has been many years since it was last resurfaced properly.

“The work will extend the life of the road by preventing water getting in, reducing the need for frequent repairs, enhancing skid resistance for safer travel, and smoothing out road surfaces for a more comfortable ride.”

The Banbury work was part of major programme of road improvements. From the end of May until early October, the council and its principal highways contractor M Group are visiting 38 sites to resurface about 115,000 square metres of roads across the county.

While effective, resurfacing is also expensive and disruptive, requiring road closures and diversions. So, in Oxfordshire, resurfacing work has been combined with a wide range of preventative maintenance treatments to improve the quality and longevity of the county’s roads at a lower cost and with less disruption to the public.

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The annual competition, hosted by Oxfordshire County Council’s libraries service, is a chance to discover new writers, original stories and unique voices from around Oxfordshire.

Winners of each category will see their short story published as an eBook on the Oxfordshire Libraries OverDrive platform and Libby app.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Our short story competition is always popular and generates amazing levels of creativity and engagement.

“Past winning stories have gone on to become some of the year's most popular downloads, making this a fantastic opportunity to get your writing published, discovered and enjoyed by readers across the county.”

The competition is split into three age categories:

• Children: seven to 11 years old
• Young adult: 12 to 17 years old
• Adult: 18 and above.

Children’s stories can be up to 1,000 words. Stories by young adults and adults can be up to 3,000 words.

The competition is free to enter, and entries can be submitted until Sunday 15 November 2026.

Full competition terms and conditions as well as information about how to submit entries can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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Councillor Tim Bearder, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, has written to Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (available to download, right), and shares his thoughts on the implications of this development for Oxfordshire in the video above.

You can read more about LGR, including the latest updates, on our LGR and devolution webpage.

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Between 14 and 30 September, Oxfordshire County Council will carry out the work on the A420 west of Southmoor, on the staggered crossroads between Longworth and Charney Bassett.

The scheme will extend the current single lane in both directions from the Faringdon side by approximately 1km, so that it is just one lane both ways through the junction. The speed limit will also be reduced from 70mph to 50mph.

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “These changes will be welcomed by road users as a way of making this site safer. The current junction is a concern for many drivers, particular those exiting the side roads into and across two lanes of fast-moving traffic.”

The work is dependent on dry conditions. Weather permitting, traffic management will be in place at these dates and times while the work is carried out:

• Monday 14 September: lane closures from 9.30am - 3.30pm for preparatory works
• Tuesday 15 - 17 September: lane closures for grass cutting and gully work
• Friday 18 - Wednesday 30 September: layby closures, 24 hours a day, to accommodate equipment
• Monday 21 - Wednesday 30 September: lane closures from 7am - 7pm with traffic management in place; full road closures from 7pm - 7am, with a signed diversion route in operation.

The speed limit reduction was approved by Oxfordshire County Council last November to be appropriate for the new junction layout and as part of its review of the limits on all A and B roads in the county – one of the tools within its Vision Zero strategy to reduce fatal and severe injuries for all road users in Oxfordshire.

Cllr Epps added: “Our speed limits review is all about reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads. The premise that no one should be killed or seriously injured as the result of a road collision, whatever mode of transport they are using, is at the heart of our Vision Zero strategy.”

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Councillor Matthew Webb, who represents Bicester North, was appointed to the role on Tuesday and hopes to use the position to build stronger links between the council and the thousands of small businesses that contribute to Oxfordshire’s economy and communities.

Cllr Webb said: “Small businesses are incredibly important to Oxfordshire. They create jobs, support our high streets and town centres, innovate, invest in their communities and contribute enormously to the character and prosperity of the places in which we live.

“But running a small business is not always easy. Whether it is dealing with rising costs, recruitment and skills, transport and infrastructure, regulation, accessing support or simply finding the time to make their voice heard, small business owners face very real pressures.

“I want this role to provide a strong link between those businesses and the county council. A key part of that will be listening. I want to hear directly from businesses about what is working, what isn't, and where the council can either help or make it easier for businesses to succeed.

“I also want to make sure that when we develop policies and make decisions, we properly consider their impact on small businesses. Sometimes relatively small changes can make a significant difference to somebody trying to run a business.”

Like other member champion roles, such as active travel and cycling, and public transport, the small business champion is an unpaid and non-decision-making position aimed at supporting cabinet members and assisting in policy development.

Cllr Webb said he intends to meet businesses and business organisations across Oxfordshire, including those in the county’s towns, villages and rural communities.

“One thing I am particularly keen to avoid is assuming that we already know what businesses need,” he added. “Oxfordshire has an extraordinarily diverse economy, and the challenges facing a shop in one of our market towns may be very different from those facing a rural business, a manufacturer, a technology company or somebody who has just started working for themselves.”

Alongside his role as a county councillor, he has extensive professional experience working within the small business sector, including in the electronics distribution industry.

His work has given him first-hand experience of many of the practical issues facing smaller companies, including working with customers and suppliers, quality and environmental standards, regulatory requirements and the day-to-day realities of operating and growing a business.

Councillor Laura Gordon, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “Small businesses are at the heart of our communities and are a key pillar of Oxfordshire’s economy. I’m looking forward to working with Cllr Webb to ensure we’re supporting small businesses across the county to thrive.”

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A former shop worker has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 after admitting offences linked to the supply of illegal vapes, following an investigation by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team.

Darian Kaify Hassani, 20, of Frederick Road, Cowley, admitted personally supplying illegal vapes to trading standards test purchasers and aiding and abetting the company in supplying hundreds more products that breached legal nicotine liquid limits.

Hassani changed his plea to guilty on the morning of the trial at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on 2 September 2026. He was fined £720 and ordered to pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs, together with a surcharge of £288, making a total of £2,008.

The prosecution followed a trading standards’ investigation into Khalifa Super Store, formerly trading from 120 Cowley Road, Oxford.

Councillor Kate Gregory Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: “I am pleased that our trading standards team have once again been able to remove illegal, addictive products from our high streets. This case demonstrates that individuals who knowingly assist in the sale of illegal products can be held personally accountable for their actions.”

The court heard test purchases were made by a trading standards officer on 23 February 2025 and again on 16 March 2025. Both devices sold by Hassani contained nicotine containing liquid five times the maximum 2ml capacity permitted by law. 

He also acknowledged helping the company supply 339 illegal disposable vapes, comprising 214 vapes containing 10ml of nicotine liquid, and 125 containing 24ml - up to twelve times the legal limit.

The packaging also failed to include the required UK producer or importer contact details.

The products were discovered on 16 March 2025 inside a concealed compartment, operated by electro-magnet, built into shelving directly behind the shop counter.  The court heard that Hassani regularly worked in the retail area of the shop and had been present during earlier trading standards inspections and seizures.

Despite being aware of officers' concerns regarding these products, he continued to involve himself in their sale and supply.

Davina Walkin, Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Operations Manager, added: "Mr Hassani had previously been present during trading standards interventions and was aware of officers' concerns regarding these products. Despite that knowledge, he continued to assist in their sale and supply.

“My officers will continue to take robust action against those involved in this illegal trade in order to protect consumers and support legitimate businesses."

Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco, vapes or related products can report it anonymously by calling 0300 999 6 999 or by visiting www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.

More information

The court was told that Hassani had left his employment at Khalifa Super Store in December 2025 and is currently in receipt of Universal Credit of £338.50 and housing benefit of £660 each month.

Yadgar Ghafour, the former owner and director of Khalifa Super Store Ltd, previously pleaded guilty to all offences at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 28 November 2025 and was ordered to pay £3907.24 in fines and costs.  Khalifa Super Store Ltd also pleaded guilty to all offences and was ordered to pay £17,616.24 in fines and costs.

Khalifa Super Store Ltd now trades as Khalifa Supermarket from 120 Cowley Road and is under different ownership.

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Find out more about the exhibition by visiting Philippa James’ website.

Thanks to Photo Oxford | Biennial Photography Festival in Oxford

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Councillor Tim Bearder, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “I welcome today’s announcement pausing the government’s minded to decision for local government reorganisation (LGR) for Oxfordshire. It provides an opportunity to review the underpinning advice, considerations and evidence that informed the secretary of state’s decision, which I have already written to MHCLG to ask to see.

Councillor Judith Edwards, Cabinet Member for LGR and Human Resources, added: “Considerable work has taken place already to prepare our communities for LGR in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire along the lines of the government’s announcement in July.

"We will be seeking further clarity from the government, including what this means for local elections in May, and how this will affect the LGR timeline in our area.”

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Residents are being encouraged to get their blood pressure checked in a new initiative at Oxfordshire County Council’s libraries.

As part of Blood Pressure UK’s annual Know Your Numbers Week, held this year from 7 to 13 September, people can check their blood pressure at a dedicated ‘pressure station’ in any of the county’s 44 libraries.

People with undiagnosed and uncontrolled high blood pressure are more at risk from serious health issues such as stroke and heart attack.

Pressure stations will be available to anybody to use, whether they have been asked to do so by a doctor, or simply curious.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: “High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so the only way to know if your reading is high is to have it checked to lower your risk of serious health issues.

“Our libraries are trusted, welcoming spaces at the heart of communities across Oxfordshire, so they are a natural place to host these free pressure stations. This is a completely free and easy way to check your blood pressure, just drop into one of our libraries during the week where teams will be on hand to help. It takes just a couple of minutes but could change your life.”

The initiative was coordinated by Alet Ransom, Primary Care Network Pharmacy Technician and Cardiovascular Disease Champion, who worked alongside Oxfordshire County Council’s public health team and library service to develop the pressure stations and make it easier for people to check their blood pressure in familiar community settings.

She said: “I’m immensely proud to have helped bring this project from an idea into reality.

“The aim was always to make it easier for people, whether library users or visitors to the area, to ‘know their numbers’ and, where needed, take the next step towards looking after their cardiovascular health. 

“Knowing that the project is now being taken forward and rolled out across the county’s libraries is hugely rewarding, and I’m excited that it will give many more people the opportunity to access this simple but potentially life-changing service.”

Anyone found to have a high reading will be offered advice on simple steps they can take and encouraged to seek further support from their GP or local pharmacy if needed.

Residents can find their nearest library and check opening times on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Find out more about the Know Your Numbers Week campaign by visiting Blood Pressure UK’s website.

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During 2025/26, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 58 chimney fires, with most occurring during the colder months when fireplaces, log burners and solid fuel appliances are used more frequently.

Many householders and businesses, despite being safety conscious, may forget to have their chimney or flue swept or inspected before using their fire when the weather changes.

They may also be unaware of the need to check first floor connections to chimneys, where debris and dust can accumulate in redundant upper floor fireplaces.

Andy Ford, Safety Manager for Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, said: “All chimneys and flues should be regularly cleaned and checked to ensure they’re free from debris, soot and other blockages, such as birds’ nests, and in full working order ready to use safely when the weather gets colder.

“A blocked or defective chimney can cause both chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisonings so it’s very important to employ a professionally qualified chimney sweep.

“If the worst should happen, working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms can give you an early warning. Make sure you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and test them monthly; and don’t keep this advice to yourself – please, pass it on.”

Guidance for owners of wood burners includes not stacking logs next to the fire; they might look nice, but there is a risk of accidental ignition through radiated heat over time.

Care should be taken to use the correct fuel recommended for a fire or stove; firewood and fuel should be stored outside, away from buildings, with wood burners never left unattended when lit.

Residents are also being asked to always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks and hot embers, making sure embers are under control and properly put out before going to bed.

Andy added: “Never be complacent when it comes to fire safety in the home, now is the time to get your chimney cleaned.”

Further information and advice is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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