The updated guidance, agreed by the council’s cabinet in April 2026, aimed to enable a move towards more ‘car free’ and ‘car light’ developments, where appropriate.

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “If every new development is designed around the assumption that car ownership and car use should continue to grow unchecked, congestion will simply get worse and journeys will become less reliable for everyone.

“However, it’s essential that our approach commands broad support and can be delivered successfully in practice.”

Representations received by the council highlighted the complexity of balancing transport, climate, and housing objectives – particularly social housing – with the need to ensure that any guidance is both ambitious and capable of effective implementation through the planning system.

The council will continue to work closely with local planning authorities, developers, and other stakeholders to review the issues that have been raised and consider whether reasonable refinements can be made that support both housing delivery and shared transport and climate ambitions.

Cllr Epps added: “We remain concerned that the growth demands of central government will be unachievable and result in chaotic levels of congestion unless we do something to address future car use.  Developers are encouraged to concentrate on how to build more homes, not more car parks.

“By working creatively and collaboratively across the sector, we are confident we can develop an approach that supports sustainable travel while also enabling the delivery of the homes and communities Oxfordshire needs.”

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Single mum of three, Katie Gamble, cut her energy bills with help from Oxfordshire County Council and Welcome the Warmth. She is now encouraging others to check if they qualify.

The scheme is part of the government’s Warm Homes: Local Grant programme, funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. It offers free energy-saving upgrades to eligible households to help reduce bills and improve energy efficiency. Measures include insulation, solar panels and heat pumps.

As Katie, who is 43, explains, “I have three teenagers and a very busy household, so our energy use is high. When the cost of living increased, our bills really shot up, which was so difficult.

“I found out about the scheme through my job at the council and realised I was eligible. The process was simple. I applied online and heard back from the team quickly.”

Through the scheme, Katie had solar panels and a battery installed at her home, which she says she would not otherwise have been able to afford.

“It was really straightforward. They carried out a survey of my home to check its energy rating, then talked me through the options and the benefits of solar panels.

“They did an amazing job. I still can’t believe it was completely free. There is no way I would have been able to afford it otherwise. I would encourage anyone to check if they are eligible because it could make a real difference.”

Councillor Laura Gordon, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “It is great to see how the Warm Homes: Local Grant has helped Katie and her family make their home more energy efficient and cheaper to run.

“Katie is one of over 100 households that have already benefited from the scheme, and there are a number of ways it can help. With energy costs still a concern for many households, this scheme can help people cut costs and make their homes warmer and more efficient before the colder months return.

Find out more about the scheme and check eligibility by visiting Welcome the Warmth’s website or by calling 0800 038 6775.  

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A consultation on private, for-profit schemes is being run jointly by Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council and runs from 12 May - 14 June 2026.

People can read the consultation documents and complete the questionnaire through the online consultation portal Let’s Talk Oxfordshire.

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “Oxfordshire has huge potential to play a significant role in the move towards cleaner, more secure energy. But it is also important that our communities have a voice in how the benefits of that transition are shaped and shared.

“This consultation is about listening early. We want as many people as possible to tell us what a fair and practical approach should look like.”

Across Oxfordshire, more renewable energy and battery storage projects are expected to come forward over the coming years as part of the transition to a cleaner, more secure energy system.

Oxfordshire’s councils want to make sure that where communities host large-scale low-carbon energy infrastructure – such as ground mount solar, batteries or wind – there is a clearer, fairer and more consistent way to discuss long-term local benefits.

The proposed interim policy does not determine how much renewable energy is built in Oxfordshire. Planning decisions are made entirely on their own merits by local planning authorities and the government.

The proposed interim policy is attempting to ensure that where projects are approved, communities have an opportunity to get a fair share of negotiated benefits. The policy will provide a shared framework for how councils, communities and developers can discuss voluntary community benefits and shared ownership separately from planning decisions.

Community benefit contributions are payments or other forms of support offered by developers to communities hosting low-carbon energy infrastructure to secure local value from hosting. These contributions can support local priorities such as community facilities, nature recovery, energy efficiency, skills, fuel poverty reduction, or other projects identified by communities.

Community shared ownership is where communities may have the opportunity to take a financial stake in a renewable energy project, allowing more of the value created by clean energy infrastructure to be retained locally.

The consultation is open to everyone, including residents, parish and town councils, community organisations, energy developers, landowners, local businesses, investors, infrastructure providers and other interested stakeholders.

Feedback received through the consultation will be used to inform the final version of the interim policy before it is considered by each council throughout the summer.

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The Warm Homes Local Grant, a scheme run by Oxfordshire County Council in partnership with Welcome the Warmth, is designed to help eligible households improve the energy efficiency of their homes, reducing heating costs and improving comfort, particularly for those on lower incomes and living in less energy efficient properties.

Improvements include insulation, low carbon heating, and solar panels, depending on eligibility and property type.

The scheme is fully funded by the government, meaning residents who qualify do not have to pay for the measures covered by the grant.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “Everyone deserves a warm, comfortable home that’s affordable to heat. The Warm Homes Local Grant is helping Oxfordshire residents lower their energy bills, improve their health and comfort, and cut carbon emissions at the same time.

“By fully funding measures such as insulation, low carbon heating and solar panels, this scheme is supporting households through the cost of living pressures while also helping us take practical action on climate change.”

The county council’s trading standards team is also taking the opportunity to remind residents to stay aware, as some individuals may attempt to take advantage of the situation through unsolicited doorstep visits or pressure-based sales approaches.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Safety, said: “The Warm Homes Local Grant can make a real difference to people’s lives – helping households stay warm, reduce energy bills and cut carbon emissions, all at no cost to eligible residents.

“But it’s vital that people feel safe and confident. We want to be absolutely clear: the council will never cold call you about this scheme, or any other for that matter. If someone turns up at your door or contacts you out of the blue claiming to be linked to a council grant, please don’t feel under any pressure to engage. We can confirm whether a company is genuinely connected to the scheme, and keep a close oversight of all approved and associated businesses, and can provide independent reassurance whenever needed.”

All installers working on the scheme are subject to a rigorous vetting and onboarding process, including checks on qualifications, accreditations, insurance, health and safety standards and customer satisfaction. Installers are not permitted to use the scheme to upsell additional work, and strong quality assurance checks are in place.

There are three steps residents are urged to take to protect themselves when dealing with cold callers:

• Never agree to home improvement work on the doorstep
• Never hand over personal or financial details to cold callers
• Take time to check and verify information independently – the council’s retrofit team can assist with this 

Residents who think they may be eligible are encouraged to find out more and apply directly through official channels. Find out more about the scheme by visiting the council’s website or by contacting the retrofit team on retrofit@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Concerns about cold callers, misleading claims or suspected fraud should be reported to Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standard

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After years of struggling with addiction and the devastating consequences it brought ‒ financial hardship, social isolation, and eventually homelessness ‒ Rob found himself at the Oxford Night Shelter. It was there that a chance conversation became a turning point.

Rob said: “Just one person said, ‘You need help.’ That was it. One lady said, ‘I know someone who knows someone.’ That’s all it took to turn things around.”

That connection led Rob to extra care housing. Designed to support older people and those with additional needs, extra care housing is a service commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council to help people live independently while receiving the support they need.

The service offers self-contained homes with care and support available on site when needed.

Having grown up in Aylesbury and spent time living in Ashford and London, Rob now calls Abingdon home. He describes the location as beautiful and enjoys a daily routine that includes early mornings, walks into town, coffee with friends, and reading by the river.

Extra care housing offers a unique balance of independence and reassurance. For Rob, that sense of belonging has been just as important as the practical support. He also praises the carers.

Rob said: “I’ve got lots of friends in other flats. There’s a real sense of community here.

“If I need help with something, the carers are there for me. They’re fantastic ‒ they give you space, but they’re always ready to step in when you need them.”

Rob is candid about the toll alcohol took on his life.

Rob said: “It ruined everything. You spend all your money and end up drunk somewhere. It’s a slippery slope.

“But I feel very grateful to have come out the other side. I don’t think about those things at all now. It’s the furthest thing from my mind.”

Oxfordshire County Council has supported the development of 1,140 extra care apartments across Oxfordshire.

Extra care housing works because of a strong partnership. Care staff are on site 24 hours a day, offering support and an emergency call service whenever residents need it.

The landlord, Sovereign Network Group, provides and maintains the accommodation and communal facilities – including gardens, an assisted bathroom for those with mobility issues, and even a commercial kitchen so residents can enjoy a professionally cooked lunch every day. The supported housing officer plays a vital role in helping residents settle in and maintain their tenancies successfully.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Rob’s story is a powerful reminder of the difference that the right support at the right time can make.

“Extra care housing offers people not just a place to live, but a place to thrive. It is about dignity, independence, and community – and Rob’s journey embodies all of that.”

Rob’s message to others who may be struggling and considering extra care housing is simple and heartfelt: “Go for it. Just do it. You won’t look back with any regrets. It’s a lifesaver. I was at breaking point, and this has saved my life. I haven’t been so happy and at ease for a very long time.”

Learn more about extra care housing and how it could support you or someone you care about.

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People can expect to receive a ‘warm welcome’ at Oxfordshire County Council’s libraries this winter, with the network offering a warm space and a hot drink for those who need it.

For the fourth year running, Oxfordshire libraries are partnering with the Warm Welcome Campaign, which supports a network of over 4,000 warm spaces across the UK.

The campaign seeks to open up more community spaces for free for those who may be feeling isolated, or whom need a warm place to stay during the colder months.

Oxfordshire’s libraries are also delivering a range of other support for residents including free cultural activities, advice sessions and signposting on helpful topics.

Simon Lay, Libraries Branch Network Operations Manager at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We will be particularly focused on providing warmth, company and support to those affected by poverty and social isolation over the winter months.

“We’re continuing to see a rise in the number of people taking up the offer of a warm space and a hot drink. In Abingdon Library, for example, we are delighted to welcome back our regular visitors and welcome new faces.

“It’s a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the space we provide, reading newspapers, doing a jigsaw and connecting with others. Take up of the warm space offer has increased by 50 per cent, and the team are grateful that we are able to provide this hospitality.”

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Warm spaces such as our libraries provide a lifeline for many in our communities during the winter months. By offering a welcoming environment, a hot drink, and opportunities for connection, we’re not only helping people stay warm, but we’re also helping to tackle social isolation and support those facing hardship.

“This initiative is a clear reflection of our strategic priorities: we are committed to reducing inequalities, improving health and wellbeing, and building resilient, inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. Our libraries are at the heart of this effort, ensuring that every resident has access to the support and warmth they need this winter.”

As well as libraries, many other community buildings across the county also provide a warm space for those who need them. Find out more by visiting Warm Welcome’s website.

Find out about other ways to keep warm during the winter months, including financial help and more, by visiting the council’s dedicated webpage.

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Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and West Oxfordshire, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have joined together, under the Future Oxfordshire Partnership, to deliver pioneering local area energy plans (LAEPs) for Oxfordshire, to address climate change and secure cleaner, more affordable energy for the county.

The plans will provide clear, strategic, and community-focused actions for transforming the way local energy such as wind and solar is generated, used, and managed, supporting both local and national climate goals.

They will assess how building improvement measures such as insulation and low-carbon heating can reduce reliance upon fossil fuels. At the same time, they will improve the quality of information necessary to plan and deliver the energy we will need from the electricity grid, ensuring homes and businesses can benefit from cleaner, more reliable power in the years to come.

To develop the plans, the authorities will work with local communities and businesses to identify projects that will help manage the transition to cleaner energy. The plans will identify specific actions for each district, together with more strategic projects to be delivered at the county level.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Chair of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership and Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “It doesn’t make sense to spend energy, and therefore money, transmitting electricity made by burning gas through wires and pylons over miles and miles to people in Shrivenham, for example, when they could use the cheap energy created at a nearby windfarm or excess electricity made on a neighbour’s roof. This is why we need a local area energy plan.

“This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when we work together to tackle challenges. The six councils of Oxfordshire are joining forces and working with the community to make a plan for a greener, fairer energy system.”

The LAEPs will also provide more information to energy network providers, enabling them to plan and invest in necessary electricity grid upgrades ahead of demand. This is key to ensuring that Oxfordshire has the energy capacity to meet its future needs, powering homes, businesses, and delivering locally generated renewable energy.

Ove Arup & Partners have been appointed as lead consultants in the development of the LAEPs. These plans will play a critical role in shaping a sustainable future for Oxfordshire, demonstrating how local collaboration can make a significant impact in addressing global challenges.

Stuart Hallett, from Arup, said: “With a renewed focus on transitioning the UK’s energy system to net zero, supported through new functions such as the Regional Energy Strategic Planner (RESP) and access to investment vehicles targeted at decarbonisation interventions, such as Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund, it is vital that regional scale LAEPs are developed and shaped to align with these strategic mechanisms as well as enabling local scale decarbonisation to happen.

“As advocates of a whole-system approach to energy planning at this scale, we are delighted to be working on this industry leading work, supported by our partners Global City Futures and Oxford Brookes University, to deliver a stakeholder led plan, placing people, business and communities at the heart of a cost effective and just transition, whilst enabling network infrastructure investment to be planned effectively.”

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As well as the chance to reduce their energy bills ahead of winter, Oxfordshire householders have an extra incentive for downloading the Energy Saver App.

In response to the energy price cap rising from 1 October, Oxfordshire County Council is launching a new monthly prize draw for app users.

Starting in October, three lucky bill payers every month until January will win £225 – the average cost of a household’s monthly energy bill – creating 12 winners in total.

People can automatically enter the prize draws by downloading the app, connecting it to their smart meter, and logging in every month to view tips and savings.

The app, which launched in July 2024 and has been downloaded more than 1,800 times so far, is available exclusively to Oxfordshire residents. It is designed to help households save energy and reduce their bills.

Even if you don’t win, residents using the app are expected to save more than £200 annually on their energy bills.

Councillor Dr Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “We expect everyone who signs up will be able to cut their gas and electricity consumption by at least seven per cent and save themselves money.” 

The app connects to smart meters to gather information about electricity and gas usage, providing personalised tips and insights to help users cut their energy consumption.

Tom Woolley, SMS and Metis’s Product and Strategy Director, said: “Helping people save money by reducing their energy consumption is good for the planet and your pocket.”

The app is independent of energy suppliers, ensuring there are no hidden catches. It is supported by Oxfordshire County Council in collaboration with independent energy infrastructure and solutions provider SMS and its cloud-based energy transition platform Metis. It is funded by the government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The app also offers users the opportunity to participate in trials for energy saving smart appliances like solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps.

Full terms and conditions of the prize draw can be found on the Energy Saver App’s website.

The app can be downloaded free of charge by visiting Google Play or the App Store.

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All of Oxfordshire’s 172,000 households who have a smart energy meter can download it for free whether they own or rent their home and regardless of which energy supplier they use. 

Oxfordshire County Council is helping to deliver the Energy Saver App, which will analyse gas and electricity consumption and suggest simple, personalised actions to reduce bills. 

Councillor Dr Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “In the middle of a cost of living crisis and a climate emergency, this exclusive offer for Oxfordshire is a fantastic way for residents to reduce their bills and cut their carbon emissions. 

“We expect everyone who signs up will be able to cut their gas and electricity consumption by at least seven per cent and save themselves money. The app is independent of the energy suppliers, so there is no catch, and we are delighted to be pioneering it here in Oxfordshire.” 

Later in the year, more than 500 householders representing a cross-section of app users, will also be invited to help trial energy smart appliances. These include solar panels, batteries and heat pumps on a cheaper monthly basis, removing the barrier of installation costs, providing clean energy, and helping transform Oxfordshire’s homes.

This trial will look at how modelled energy tariffs could affect take-up of energy smart appliances, helping to achieve a low carbon energy system.

The service, provided by independent energy infrastructure and solutions provider SMS and its cloud-based energy transition platform Metis, aims to bring affordable green technology to more households.  

Tom Woolley, SMS and Metis’s Product and Strategy Director, said: “The app, powered by Metis, connects to your smart meter to automatically gather information about your electricity and gas usage. It then analyses the data to provide simple advice on how you can reduce your bills.

“Additionally, the app uses the information to suggest future steps for saving money through solar and heat pumps, customised to your household’s specific needs. Users will be asked to input information about their smart meter.

“The app can then access current and historical electricity and gas usage data from the UK Data Hub, which it translates into clear, simple insights that make understanding – and reducing – home energy consumption quick and easy.

“The decisions on when and whether to get solar panels, battery systems, heat pumps can be a daunting task. This approach makes sense of that, removing the need for upfront investment and clear data driven, bespoke options to further reduce energy spend and reliance on the national grid.

“Helping people save money by reducing their energy consumption is good for the planet and your pocket.”   

Anyone signing up to the app here can: 

• Receive personalised, easily actionable tips to help them reduce their energy consumption.
• See how much money and CO₂ they’re saving.
• Receive insights about their home energy consumption on their phone.
• See which devices have consumed the most energy.
• Compare their energy consumption with similar homes.
• Create a weekly or monthly budget and track their spending and usage against the target.
• Compare their spending and usage with previous months to track progress.
• See how much they’re paying for each unit of energy.
• Receive notifications about abnormal consumption.
• Understand their future consumption based on usage history and other similar homes.
• Participate in energy events and prizes.
• Receive personalised recommendations for home efficiency upgrades and their likely impact. 

Users remain in control of their data and no user information will be shared with third parties without their explicit consent. 

The app has been developed through a collaboration between the council, SMS and Metis, Eliq and My Utility Genius and is supported by the government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. 

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Oxfordshire County Council has invested £5 million into the Resonance Supported Homes Fund that has bought and refurbished the property, in partnership with housing provider, Golden Lane Housing.

The home is the first of five properties planned for Oxfordshire, providing person-centred housing for adults with additional needs, with four more due to open in Banbury, Bicester, Kidlington and Horspath later this year.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “This is a key part of our Oxfordshire Way vision, to support people to live well, within their own communities. Through working with partners, we are delivering a scheme that is making a real difference to adults with learning disabilities and autism, supporting them to live in their own home, with all the independence and happiness that brings.”

The six-bedroom property includes off street parking and has an enclosed back garden. It has had extensive refurbishment and includes adaptions to the kitchen and dining room to create a kitchen-diner and renovations to the garden to make it safe, accessible and manageable for all the tenants to maintain.

Four members of the new household moved in February and have been settling into their new surroundings. They have also been meeting staff from Midco Care, who will be supporting them on a daily basis. A fifth person is due to move in shortly.

Hannah, who’s 38, is one of the new tenants. Having previously lived in a shared supported housing scheme in Oxford, she’s now moved into the Witney home, which is closer to her mother and siblings.

Hannah said: “This house makes a whole lot of difference to my life at the moment. I was so happy to find it.”

The Resonance Supported Homes Fund was created in 2020 by social impact property fund manager, Resonance. It is designed to provide a solution to the acute housing shortage that leaves thousands of adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health problems struggling to access homes suitable for them that meet their needs.

The fund selects and buys the properties, which are located at the heart of local communities, so that residents are close to local amenities, such as shops and GP surgeries, good public transport and support services and networks, including friends and family.

Once purchased, each property is fully refurbished and refitted to a bespoke specification as well as having its energy efficiencies improved to help reduce tenants’ energy bills.

Daniel Brewer, CEO, Resonance, said: “Handing over this first property in Witney to Golden Lane Housing is a key milestone in the Resonance Supported Homes Fund’s ambition to provide the right housing for people with learning disabilities and autism in Oxfordshire.

“It was an absolute delight and privilege to meet some of the tenants that have recently moved into the beautiful new home that our fund has bought and refitted to meet their needs.

“Thanks to the investment from Oxfordshire County Council, and the fund’s partnership with expert housing partner, Golden Lane Housing, the fund is now making a difference to the lives of four people living in a home that is right for them, enabling them to live fulfilling lives with independence and choice.”

Once the property has been refurbished and adapted, it is transferred to a housing provider. In Oxfordshire, Golden Lane Housing has been chosen as a partner for the fund, offering specialist support to enable the new tenants to gain independence and enjoy a successful tenancy.

John Verge, CEO, Golden Lane Housing, said: “We are delighted to be working with Resonance and its Supported Homes Fund to provide quality homes that meet the need of individuals. Resonance has a long-proven ability in the housing sector of sourcing properties that are suitable for tenants and long-term operational partnerships with other housing associations.

“Golden Lane Housing has worked nationally for over 25 years providing specialist accommodation. The work Golden Lane Housing and the fund will be carrying out together, will ensure it contributes to addressing the great need for supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people across Oxfordshire.”

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The council won the award for the best climate action and decarbonisation initiative at the recent Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Service Awards 2023.

It was recognised for its energy insights tool and energy flexibility trials, successfully demonstrating the crucial role local authorities can play in moving away from the use of polluting fossil fuels. The work formed part of the Local Energy Oxfordshire scheme – also known as Project LEO.

Project LEO, which has been trialled over a four-year period, is an ambitious, wide reaching, collaborative energy demonstrator scheme. It has provided a blueprint for a greener, more flexible and fairer electricity system for the UK in the future.

The council led the development of a strategic energy mapping platform to support local area energy planning and provided assets, including buildings, to participate in the flexibility trials. 

Project Lead Inga Doherty, Oxfordshire County Council’s Climate Policy and Programme Team Leader, said: “We were delighted to pick up the APSE award for best climate action and decarbonisation initiative. The energy mapping platform is already contributing to decarbonisation work across the county and will be used to develop a robust, well informed, local energy plan for Oxfordshire.

“We also demonstrated how council assets can contribute to a transition to a net zero energy system. It’s fantastic to lead on initiatives that help us move over to cleaner energy that bit sooner and to have our work recognised by APSE.”

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “Project LEO is a big jump towards the energy system of the future, and it is really gratifying that our contribution to it has gained national recognition. This ground-breaking work in Oxfordshire has documented the path to a national system that we need by the early 2030s.”

The Local Area Energy Planner Plus (LAEP+) energy mapping platform, developed with commercial partner Advanced Infrastructure Technology Ltd and tested by Oxfordshire’s city and district councils, provides a spatial picture of how and where energy is used across the county and informs where changes are needed to enable the transition to net zero.

A wealth of data was provided through a successful collaboration with Energy Systems Catapult – a not for profit centre of excellence that bridges the gap between industry, government, academia and research.

It has already been used to inform the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and identify areas suitable for inclusion in retrofit programmes to make buildings more energy efficient.

It will be key to developing a local area energy plan that identifies opportunities to reduce demand, maximise the use of the county’s existing energy infrastructure and scale up renewable generation.

Lily Cairns Haylor, Head of Product and Co-founder at Advanced Infrastructure said: “In transitioning to a net zero energy system, the LEO LAEP+ energy insights tool has demonstrated its remarkable value in saving time and resources while pinpointing optimal locations and timing for the deployment of low-carbon technologies, including EV charge points.  We are extremely proud to have partnered with Oxfordshire County Council on Project LEO in our shared mission to decarbonise the local area.”

Mo Baines, APSE Chief Executive, said: “We received over 300 submissions for the awards this year, with each one demonstrating a clear commitment to the goals of continuous improvement and the delivery of excellence in public services.

"On behalf of everyone at APSE, I would like to congratulate each one of our incredible finalists – you are a credit to the communities you serve.”

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Oxfordshire County Council’s climate team was successful in the second phase of applications to the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2). The £630m government-funded grant scheme provides energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating to low income households living in fuel poverty.

The HUG2 funding will deliver whole-house retrofit installations to at least 310 properties across Oxfordshire that are not heated by mains gas – instead heated, for example, by electricity, liquefied petroleum gas, coal or oil.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equalities, said: “Those who live in poor quality housing are more likely to suffer from long-term health conditions such as respiratory illnesses and struggle with fuel poverty. We know that the risk of fuel poverty is, unfortunately, increasing as the cost of living crisis continues.

“Therefore, we hope that the programme will help to expand on and complement the work we are already doing, such as through our Better Housing Better Health service, to make vital home improvements to reduce fuel poverty and improve health conditions.”

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “A quarter of carbon emissions in the county come from our homes. The least energy efficient homes not only tend to be more expensive to run but also have a greater carbon footprint as a result.

“However, this retrofitting service will allow residents in energy inefficient homes to get improvements required to not only reduce their fuel costs, but also their carbon footprint, removing the funding barrier for those residents most in-need.”

Retrofitting funding will prioritise insulation first, followed by sustainable heating, including air source heat pumps, and then consider renewable, free electricity generation via solar panels.

The programme is available to residents who own their home or privately rent, do not use mains gas for heating, have a combined household income of less than £31,000, or are on means-tested benefits. Homes should also have an energy performance certificate rating of D or below.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: “This investment will help thousands of households to heat their homes for less, keep them warm for longer and could save hundreds on their annual energy bill.

“The green energy sector is growing, and this funding will support green jobs and provide the training needed to deliver these vital upgrades to homes.”

For those wishing to find out more, an expression of interest form is available at oxfordshire.gov.uk/retrofit.

Oxfordshire County Council, in collaboration with the districts and city councils, also funds the Better Homes Better Health service. This service supports residents with energy efficiency advice, accessing grant funding and improving access to eligible benefits to reduce fuel poverty and improve health conditions. Residents can call the advice line on 0800 107 0044.

Further information, including eligibility, will be added to Oxfordshire County Council’s website nearer to the project start, in April 2023. The retrofit team can be contacted at retrofit@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Households not eligible for HUG2 grants still have time to see if they can apply for help with retrofitting their properties through HUG1 scheme.

The scheme runs until the end of May and aims to improve poorly insulated homes for low income residents in properties with an EPC rating of D or below. Details are available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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Oxfordshire County Council has sent letters to over 4,250 residents eligible for support. These residents will be in receipt of housing benefit but no other relevant state benefits, and therefore do not qualify for the government’s cost of living payments.

Claire Taylor Oxfordshire County Council’s Corporate Director for Customers and Organisational Development and Resources said: “We know it’s a challenging time for many residents. That is why we are using the Household Support Fund, money provided by Department for Work and Pensions, to support residents most in need. 

 “This measure is another way the council is continuing to support residents during the cost of living crisis, and I would encourage everyone eligible to respond to their letter as soon as possible.”

 Each letter has a link to a form where residents can securely enter their bank details. They will also receive a unique reference number to protect against fraud. Residents must fill in this form by 28 March 2023 to claim this money.  

 Anyone with concerns or who is unable to access the online form can contact Oxfordshire County Council’s customer service’s team on 01865 956511.

 The council received £3.3 million from Department for Work and Pensions. This funding is the third round of the Household Support Fund to support vulnerable residents. As well as assisting residents who receive housing benefit, the council is offering support to other vulnerable groups:

• £1.1m food vouchers for children and early years on free school meals during school holidays
• Over £500,000 to city and district councils for local emergency welfare schemes
• £200,000 for residents known to the council with long term health conditions and disabilities
• £200,000 for carers across Oxfordshire

In all cases, residents will be directly contacted about support by their school or the council. Those who need to apply for emergency welfare can apply through their city or district council.

Residents can learn more about help available during the cost of living crisis at Oxfordshire County Council’s dedicated webpage oxfordshire.gov.uk/living

More information

Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards service is encouraging all residents to ‘Take 5 to Stop Fraud’ during the cost of living crisis.

Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe

Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you

Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

Report: You can report fraud or cybercrime to Action Fraud any time of the day or night using our online reporting tool, or by calling 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm).  If you or someone else is in immediate danger or risk of harm dial 999

For advice on any other consumer issue, or to report a matter to trading standards, call the Citizens Advice national consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or at citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer  

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The day included visits to Grosvenor’s Barton Park development including Barton Park School and Barton Sports Pavilion, in addition to Barton Community Centre, the Elmsbrook development in Bicester and Kingsmeadow.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “I am delighted to have been able to welcome Professor Whitty to the county to showcase our health place shaping work.

“Tackling inequalities and creating healthy communities is a top priority here in Oxfordshire, so it is great to see our work receive recognition from the chief medical officer for England.”

Councillor Phil Chapman, Cherwell District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities, said: “Healthy place shaping is an approach which combines community activation, different models of care, and a built environment which promotes healthy life choices. The work that’s been done on this in Bicester for a number of years is leading the way in creating better outcomes for our residents, and we’ve since adopted it across the district. We are absolutely delighted to have been able to showcase this important work to the Chief Medical Officer.”

Councillor Louise Upton, Oxford City Council Cabinet Member for Health and Transport, said: “Barton Healthy New Town aims to create an innovative and sustainable way to improve health and wellbeing and was showcased at the World Health Organisation’s Healthy Cities Conference in 2018. The overall aim of is to give all residents equal opportunities to achieve good physical and mental health outcomes.

“As well as creating a built environment that has health and exercise designed in, we’ve got new ways of working with healthcare professionals, and we’re supporting the community to get more active in its own wellbeing. Grant funding has provided things like a breakfast club for children and young people and a Community Cupboard to improve food access, and there has been more targeted healthcare support for people with long-term conditions and high users of healthcare.”

Dan Leveson, executive director for Oxfordshire at the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, said: “Professor Whitty’s visit was welcome recognition of what we can achieve to improve people’s health and wellbeing through close working across health and care, schools, businesses, volunteers, housing developers and academics.”

Rupert Biggin, Project Director, Grosvenor Property UK said: “As master developer for Barton Park, one of the 10 NHS Healthy New Towns, we laid the groundwork for healthy living by building the infrastructure that would encourage walking, cycling and active lifestyles right at the start of the project.

“By partnering with the council to understand and respond to what local people wanted, we believe Barton Park shows how new places can create healthier and better-connected communities.”

Steve Hornblow, Head of Special Projects (North West Bicester) at A2Dominion, said: “Everyone at A2Dominion was delighted to welcome Professor Whitty to our award-winning Elmsbrook development at North West Bicester. 

“England’s chief medical officer is one of the leading figures in promoting healthier living and his visit provided a great opportunity for us to showcase our commitment to building sustainable homes for the future, and ensuring that health and wellbeing is a lasting legacy of our communities.”

Healthy place shaping in Oxfordshire aims to create sustainable, well designed and thriving communities, where all residents are supported to live healthier and happier lives. The experience and learnings generated by the Healthy New Town pilots have informed Oxfordshire’s approach to healthy place shaping and it is now being delivered across the county to reduce health inequalities.

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People with long-term health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD) and high blood pressure can get advice and support to help sort out housing problems that may make their health worse from the service.

The service aims to support residents keep their homes safe and warm. It can also refer those who need it for further social and financial support to help people stay in their own homes for longer.  

Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “We know good housing is critical for good health. Winter months can be particularly stressful for those in poor-quality housing, which can exacerbate health conditions. Those who live in the poorest quality housing are more likely to suffer from health problems, such as respiratory issues.

“With the ongoing cost of living crisis, we’re all feeling a little nervous about what this winter may bring. We hope that this service, which can provide people who may need it most with vital home improvements, can go one step towards helping residents to stay safe, warm, and healthy.”

The service has supported 1,592 households and made over 200 visits to people's homes since 1 January 2022. 

The help offered can be immediate and short-term such as emergency fuel vouchers for those on prepayment meters, or long-term, such as getting insulation or a new heating system. 

The service can also help residents to understand their energy bills and the support and benefits they may be entitled to.

Jayne Yuruker, Community Link Worker at Age UK Oxfordshire, said: “It's wonderful to have such a great resource in our county. When I make referrals, the service responds to clients quickly and offers support both over the phone and in person. It has a wealth of knowledge, which has directly benefited my clients and I look forward to continuing to work with the team.”

Learn more about the work of Better Housing Better Health, including how to access support, by visiting bhbh.org.uk or ring 0800 107 0044.

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The decision has been made by the county’s partnership of six councils – Oxfordshire County Council; the district councils – Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire; and Oxford City Council – to financially help support existing hosts as a result of the cost of living crisis and to encourage new hosts to step forward.

Leaders of the six councils, Councillor Liz Leffman (Oxfordshire County Council), Councillor Barry Wood (Cherwell District Council), Councillor Susan Brown (Oxford City Council), Councillor David Rouane (South Oxfordshire District Council), Councillor Emily Smith (Vale of White Horse District Council) and Councillor Andy Graham (West Oxfordshire District Council) agreed the following statement:

“As a partnership, we have been working together since the start of the war in Ukraine to respond to the crisis and support refugees coming into the county. All households across the county are facing financial pressures currently. It is hoped that the increase in payment will help existing hosts commit to continuing their partnership arrangements as they reach the six-month mark and enable new hosts to volunteer.

“We’ve been asking guests and hosts who are coming up to this six-month point about their plans. We know and understand that personal circumstances have changed for some, but it is also the case that social and private housing supply in Oxfordshire remains very limited and expensive.

“That is why we want to support existing arrangements wherever possible – they give guests the stability and security they need as they plan their next steps.”

The payment increase will be funded using the £10,500 the government is providing to the county council to support every guest.

The increase will be from November 2022 until March 2023 and will be payable in arrears from the 1 December 2022. It will be paid into bank accounts as a separate payment and will only apply when people host for more than half a full month. The increase will not be subject to tax and will not affect entitlement to any benefits.

Existing hosts or potential new hosts can find out more about the scheme and support available online at oxfordshire.gov.uk/ukraine, by phoning +44 1865 966444 / 01865 966444 (8.45am - 5pm, Monday to Friday) or by emailing ukraineresponse@oxfordshire.gov.uk. Anyone who would like to register an interest in hosting can visit gov.uk.

They can also contact any of the district or city councils for any housing and community support queries.

More information

Housing and community support queries can be directed to:

South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council
Phone: 01235 422600 choose option one
Email: communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk

West Oxfordshire District Council
Phone: 01993 861000
Email: ukraine.support@westoxon.gov.uk

Cherwell District Council
Phone: 01295 227001
Email: customer.service@cherwell-dc.gov.uk

Oxford City Council
Phone: 01865 249811

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The £100,000 fund will help community groups with their energy bills to ensure venues can stay open.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equalities, said: “The council committed to ensuring that community venues stay open this winter. This fund will continue to support the hard work of community groups, who are helping some of the most vulnerable people in the county so that rises in costs to access services are not passed on.

Zoe Sprigings, Chief Executive Officer for the Oxfordshire Community Foundation said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Oxfordshire County Council again on a further round of grants, this time to support the increased costs of running premises.  We know that community buildings are becoming hubs for everything from mutual aid to befriending to debt advice, and we really welcome this additional support to keep these spaces open for the winter.”

The funding opportunity is now open until 21 November 2022. Community groups can find out more and apply online by going to Oxfordshire Community Foundation’s website.

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Oxfordshire County Council is strongly urging the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) to withdraw its proposals to significantly cut planned investment and modernisation of energy infrastructure that will help people and organisations make the transition to greener energy.

The UK’s electricity system is set up in three parts: the generators, the distribution grids (which are split between national and local), and the end supply companies – to whom people pay their bills. Ofgem is conducting a consultation relating to the local distribution grid companies.

The local electricity grid companies, known as district network operators (DNOs), are in a monopoly position and, as a result, Ofgem approves their business plans for every charging period. With the next period (2023 - 28) Ofgem has released a consultation on what it is proposing to change to those draft business plans being submitted. They include short-term cuts in previously proposed levels of investment, which could lead to increased costs to the consumer in the long-term.

Three DNOs cover Oxfordshire: Western Power Distribution, which covers about 10 per cent of the county to the north around Banbury; UK power networks, which covers the areas around Thame and Chinnor; and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, which covers the rest of Oxfordshire.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “We condemn the time and effort spent on a consultation that will have negligible impact upon bill payers, for whom the problem is in the order of thousands of pounds, while significantly disabling urgent and necessary modernisation.

“In light of the accelerating impacts of climate change and the clear and stark warnings from every reputable scientific body regarding the need to accelerate the energy transition, we must condemn, as reckless and foolish, any proposals that wilfully downgrade and slow that transition.

“We believe it is clear that cutting already inadequate investment in grid capacity to support future electrification of heat, transport, housing and employment growth will significantly impact Oxfordshire economically, environmentally and socially.

“No long-term cost impact assessment has been completed for this important decision. We estimate that the level of cost savings for householders will be minimal, around £10 per year, while the longer-term impacts will have a greater cost, especially to those on lower incomes. The October fuel cap will still be a staggering £3,549 per year.

“We have already seen several new commercial and residential developments experiencing prohibitively costly grid connection offers and delays. The work being delivered under the groundbreaking innovation project Local Energy Oxfordshire indicates the potential opportunities for flexible services and future needs of the transition from DNOs to district network service providers.

“With several electric vehicle companies, charging companies and supply chain organisations based within Oxfordshire, there is a direct impact upon the local economy from the proposals to provide a reduced number of EV connections.

“The Oxford Low Carbon Economy report estimated that seven per cent of the local economy was based upon the low and zero carbon industry, with the potential to add £1.35 billion to the local economy and an additional 11,000 jobs by 2030, with the correct policies. The proposed restrictions will have an ever further and growing constraining impact on the local economy and jobs.”

Oxfordshire County Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, as did the UK government. Working with other local organisations, the county council developed the Oxfordshire Energy Strategy and Pathways to a Zero Carbon Oxfordshire reports. Both allow a target of meeting net zero for the county by 2050 or earlier.

In its response to the Ofgem consultation, the county council has said it can find no evidence of any detailed assessment in which Ofgem has taken these factors into consideration when making its draft determination. The council considers that Ofgem would be failing to meet its duties and responsibilities if the proposal were approved given they include “to deliver net zero” and “ensuring a fair treatment for all”.

Councillor Sudbury added: “Electric vehicle uptake in the county is already well ahead of other areas (approximately 40 per cent share of new vehicle registrations in June 22, the highest rate in the UK) and we expect installation of heat pumps to increase significantly in the next five years. DNOs have regularly indicated the challenge for large scale uptake of EVs and heat pumps on low voltage networks, with several innovation challenges looking to directly address these areas.

“Climate impacts are already imposing very significant global and local costs. The requirement to decarbonise rapidly in this decade should be of the highest possible priority, to avoid much greater future costs and wider threats to our health, economic and social wellbeing.

“We have been clear to Ofgem that we think it is failing to meet its duties by making these proposals and we urge them to alter their plans.”

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Poppy Meadows is being delivered by Housing 21, a national leading provider of retirement living and extra care, in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council and Vale of White Horse District Council, supported by the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal. It will provide 80 flats for people wanting to live independently but with extra care available on site.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, officially opened the show home at Poppy Meadows and said: “Good quality housing with care is a vital component of the Oxfordshire health and wellbeing strategy, with the ultimate aim of enabling people to live and age well.

“Care delivered in an extra care housing setting like Poppy Meadows has a key role in ensuring people are supported to live as independently as possible for as long as possible in their own self-contained flat that also has care and support on site.”

Poppy Meadows, on Greenwood Way in Didcot, is due to open in November 2022, two months ahead of schedule. In Wallingford, a 75-unit scheme called Highcroft is being developed by housing association Soha and is due to open its doors in January 2023. This is in addition to Willow Gardens in Chipping Norton, which provided 80 new extra care flats for residents in April 2022.

Extra care housing is a positive option for anyone over the age of 55 who doesn’t need the fulltime support of a care home but who may not be able to remain in their current home. They might have additional care needs, learning difficulties, mental health concerns or feel isolated or lonely.

Susan Wells, New Homes Sales Manager at Housing 21, said: “We are delighted to open our new show apartment and we can’t wait to start welcoming local people to view their potential future home. Poppy Meadows has been designed with residents in mind and will provide much-needed homes for the people of Didcot, enabling older people to live independently in a beautiful community setting.”

In addition to the freshly decorated homes, Poppy Meadows will also host a range of additional facilities including a resident’s lounge, bistro and hairdressers.

Cllr Bearder continued: “I’m really impressed by what this sort of facility has to offer. Providing someone with their own front door gives them a home of which they can be proud. A safe, comfortable, happy environment where they can live well within, and be a part of their community, for as long as possible.”

Cllr Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Development and Infrastructure at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We’re very pleased that Poppy Meadows has opened to help bring new affordable extra care homes to our district. The apartments and facilities are impressive and being in a central location on Great Western Park, residents will be able to lead independent lives in the full knowledge they have extra support should they need it.”

Helping people to live well and age well is a crucial ambition of the Oxfordshire Way. The approach, adopted by Oxfordshire County Council, puts individuals at the heart of adult social care decisions, working with partners and volunteer organisations to help people live independently for longer. For more information and advice on ways to support independent living in Oxfordshire, go to livewell.oxfordshire.gov.uk

More information

• For more information about extra care housing, go to oxfordshire.gov.uk/extracare
• Housing 21 is a not-for-profit, leading national provider of Retirement Housing and Extra Care for older people of modest means. We manage over 20,000 properties, providing over 38,000 hours of social care each week.

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Climate Action Oxfordshire – www.climateactionoxfordshire.org.uk – lists measures people can take and rates them according to effort, impact, and cost. It also gives people an idea of what financial savings they can make and includes tips and links on how to get started.

From small changes such as washing your clothes on a cold cycle, creating a wildflower area or using rechargeable batteries, to recycling more, eating less meat, and – for those with a bigger budget – getting solar panels or an electric vehicle, the website is full of practical things you can do with the time and money you have to spare.

It is a joint venture set up by Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, West Oxfordshire, and the Vale of White Horse district councils, and OxLEP – the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The one stop shop has sections aimed at individuals, communities, and organisations, including businesses, and advice on transport, lifestyle, shopping, home and biodiversity matters.

Councillor Andrew Prosser, Cabinet Member for Climate Change at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “There are so many opportunities for residents to reduce their energy use, particularly around the home which is a major contributor to climate change emissions. Simple steps really can add up, whether that’s draft proofing windows and doors, changing lightbulbs to LEDs and being more diligent about turning off lights, or replacing old appliances to those with a better energy rating when it’s time to renew.

“The new Climate Action Oxfordshire website brings together a whole range of positive actions residents can tap into to make their homes more sustainable, from quick wins that can be easily achieved to those actions which require a bit more input, for those who are able to go that bit further. We would urge everyone to take a look.”

Councillor Sue Cooper, South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Nature Recovery, said: “Our residents are consistently among the best recyclers in the country. This is down to a combination of their efforts and us providing a service which makes recycling easy.

“However, there's always more people can do to reduce waste and to take climate action and so I'm very pleased that the new website will help people to find more information on what they can do at home and in their community. While we look to recycle as much as we can, our aim is to reduce the amount of waste we produce overall.”

Councillor Sally Povolotsky, Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Environment and electric vehicle (EV) owner, said: “Thanks to the park and charge scheme we now have 250 new EV charging points across the county. If you are keen to make the switch to an EV vehicle, you can find lots of useful information on the new website, including about the huge benefits that doing so can bring to our climate and our air quality.”

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “One of the many great things about this new website is that it puts people in touch with our community action groups. We recently welcomed our 100th group into the fold and it is inspiring to see them tackle climate change on a local level.

“Around 8,000 Oxfordshire residents are already involved, on projects including low carbon transport, energy, biodiversity, social justice, food and waste. If you want to get involved, log on and find your nearest group – or get advice on setting up your own.”

Imogen Thomas, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice at Oxford City Council, said: “Tackling the climate crisis can seem like a big task, but there are ways that anyone can get involved. Using less energy means not only saving carbon but saving money, at a time when we are all feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis.

“Many of us can also play a role in boosting biodiversity in our green spaces. If you have a garden, you can explore what native seeds you can plant to encourage wildflowers. If you live in a flat, why not explore how you can volunteer your time to a community garden or your local green space. Big or small, your actions can make a real difference.”

Councillor Dan Sames, Cherwell District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Cleaner and Greener Communities, said: “We could all do with reducing the amount of items we throw away in a bid to reduce our impact on the planet. This new website will help people find homes for unwanted items lingering around the house, in garages or sheds by encouraging and helping them to repair, reuse or donate things like bikes, furniture and electrical items.

“While these are small changes, they will help us move to a One Planet Living model. There are organisations in Cherwell district that will provide you with the help you need. It’s now just a click away.”

Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of OxLEP, said: “The introduction of this platform gives businesses the information and practical, positive steps that can be taken to support a more sustainable future in the workplace.

“We would therefore encourage our business community to make use of the Climate Action Oxfordshire site and understand how certain adjustments will collectively make big impacts and support the drive towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for us all.”

The Climate Action Oxfordshire website contains filters so that users can tailor it to their own circumstances. It will be regularly updated with new information and advice to help the county’s residents do what they can to reduce their carbon footprint.

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The service aims to ensure safer, more suitable housing conditions, to signpost for support for other social and health problems, and to promote independent living for those with existing health issues.

It is a partnership project between Oxfordshire County Council’s adult and children’s social care services and fire and rescue service, the county’s district and city councils, health services and the voluntary and community sector.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health said: “The pandemic has served to highlight the role housing plays in health. Good housing can be critical for good health – not just during a pandemic. The winter months can be particularly stressful for those in poor-quality housing, which can exacerbate health conditions. Those who live in the poorest quality housing are more likely to suffer with health problems, such as respiratory issues.

“However, there are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent or manage ill-health such as adaptations to support independent living, making homes more resilient to extreme weather through home improvements and advice, as well as ensuring more secure private tenancies. This could prove particularly vital with fuel prices remaining high.

“The new service will ensure that people who need support will be able to access it by providing those most in need with a home visit to identify somebody’s needs and to connect them to a wide range of support.”

The countywide service will target communities with high health inequalities and will prioritise requests for support from residents living in poor quality private sector homes.

The existing Better Housing Better Health service has already helped so many in need of support across the county to carry out improvements on their home. One recent recipient of support is Tim, who’s life has been transformed by the support of Better Housing Better Health. Read his story below.

Tim’s story

Tim Owers, who’s in his fifties, needed a new boiler after his aging boiler was condemned. He’d recently returned home from a lengthy hospital stay following major surgery so needed urgent help before the cold winter months set in.

West Oxfordshire-based Tim explained: “When I was discharged from hospital after major surgery I had been away from home for just over a month. Winter was coming and as my boiler was due to celebrate its 50th birthday and had already been condemned during its last service (it had a gas leak) and I was really quite worried about having no heat during the coming months.”

His boiler had been in such poor condition that he was already living without hot water. With the situation heading into the winter months looking bleak, the Better Housing Better Health service came to his rescue, securing him the grant needed to fit a brand-new combi-boiler.

“The Better Housing Better Health service was my saviour in just about every aspect of securing a grant to install a new combi boiler and arranging everything in between,” he continued.

“I now have a new and reliable source of both heat and hot water and can now recover from my surgery, free from all the worries I previously had thanks to the wonderful staff at the National Energy Foundation."

Better Housing Better Health is coordinated by the National Energy Foundation. Learn more about the work it does, including how to access support, by visiting bhbh.org.uk

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The new £5 million investment from Oxfordshire County Council will go to the Resonance Supported Homes Fund (RSHF), a social impact investment fund that helps to provide accommodation for vulnerable groups, such as those with learning disabilities, on behalf of local authorities.

Supported living accommodation enables people to live in their own homes, with care and support provided on site. The fund will help to provide up to an additional 25 support living accommodation units for adults in Oxfordshire with care and support needs.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Most people want to be supported to live within their communities, rather than in residential care homes, so this is great news for those adults in Oxfordshire with additional support needs who want a home of their own.

“As demand for supported living accommodation in the county continues to grow, as people live longer, it is through programmes such as this one, with RSHF, that we are able to provide the support needed. We will empower people to live the lives they want to lead, in their communities, close to their friends and families, and with as much independence as possible.”

Find out more about supported living in Oxfordshire by going to Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Resonance Supported Homes Fund

The RSHF was launched in July 2020 and aims to ensure that people with learning disabilities, autism and mental ill health are treated fairly in society. As a social investor, RSHF is seeking tangible impacts for people that including:

• having their own home and a degree of independence
• control of a stable housing situation
• an “ordinary home on an ordinary street” with the same rights and access to opportunities as all citizens
• enhanced opportunities for work where possible and desired.

More information

• Through the Care Act 2014, the council has a responsibility to meet the care and support needs of adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. To achieve positive outcomes the council generally supports these service users to live independently with their care needs met in their own home.
• RSHF is an experienced social impact investment and property fund manager with a track record of delivering accommodation for vulnerable groups on behalf of local authorities.

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Work on the new development at the Great Western Park site in Didcot, began on 30 June with a groundbreaking event and is being built by Housing 21 – a specialist housing provider – with the land provided by Oxfordshire County Council under a long-term lease.

Extra care housing provides a higher level of support for people with care needs who want to remain independent.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “I was delighted to be able to attend the groundbreaking event in Didcot. Extra care housing is something I’ve felt very passionately about and have been promoting in the county for some time now. This exciting new scheme will even provide more support for residents countywide.”

Once complete, the new facility will provide 80 additional extra care housing units all 100 per cent affordable housing. Sixty units will be available for rent, while the remaining 20 units will be provided under shared ownership.

All flats will be self-contained and accessible one and two bedroom properties, with communal areas and facilities for residents. On site facilities will include a café/ bistro, hair salon and communal lounge for both residents and local people.There will also be 24 hours call out facilities as well as planned care for individual residents, giving all residents the peace of mind that help is available when they need it.

Work is set to complete in December 2022, with residents due to start moving in from early 2023.

Debbie Hope, Head of Development at Housing 21, said: “We’re thrilled to have reached this exciting milestone in Didcot. This new development will provide much needed, high quality accommodation to support local older people and their changing needs. People have their own front door in a busy community setting, with 24/7 support from our on-site care team if needed.

“We have designed the buildings around an internal courtyard which provides plenty of important, open green space. The development is also in an excellent location close to the many facilities of Great Western Business Park.”

Oxfordshire currently has 17 extra care housing facilities, and this one, alongside additional facilities being built in Chipping Norton and Wallingford, will bring the total to 20 by the end of 2022.

Find out more about extra care housing in Oxfordshire on  Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

More information

• Housing 21 is a not-for-profit, leading national provider of Retirement Housing and Extra Care for older people of modest means. For more information about Housing 21, visit www.housing21.org.uk

Oxfordshire County Council was awarded the Green Homes Grant by the government. The council will be working together with expected delivery partner the National Energy Foundation (NEF) to help less well-off households retrofit their homes with energy saving equipment – cutting families’ fuel bills while at the same time helping to reduce the county’s carbon footprint.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “For families with limited disposable incomes, affording the necessary improvements to make their homes more energy efficient is especially difficult. This welcome government grant allows us to reach out to some of these householders in our area, helping to make their homes more environmentally friendly and saving money on energy bills too.”

The grant, part of the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme, was awarded after a competitive application process to help lift families out of fuel poverty. This is when a household has above average fuel costs and these costs would take their residual income below the official poverty line.

There is a strong link between properties with poor energy efficiency and fuel poverty and respiratory illnesses.

In Oxfordshire, 20 per cent of properties fall into the worst energy efficiency categories, according to the Energy Saving Trust. In 2017, 8.5 per cent of Oxfordshire households were in fuel poverty, while respiratory conditions are estimated to affect 50,000 people.

As well as improving the quality of life of the individual households, the scheme will also help the council work towards its goal of enabling Oxfordshire to become zero carbon by 2050. Residential carbon emissions make up 25 per cent of emissions in the county.

NEF, a registered charity with expertise in energy efficiency and fuel poverty, will work with the county’s five city and district councils (Cherwell, Oxford City, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire) to identify properties that fit the criteria. Eligibility factors include low household incomes and low energy efficient homes. Areas of deprivation will be targeted.

Lord Callanan, the Minister for Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility, said: “Local counties across south-east England are already taking strong action on climate change. Our funding today will help the region meet these ambitions and build back greener, helping people to heat their homes cleanly and cheaply while securing green employment across the area.

“The funding for these exciting housing schemes is levelling up in action. Households across the southern region will enjoy warmer homes, save money on their bills and reduce their carbon footprint in the process, all while supporting and protecting over 8,000 green jobs across the country.”

The scheme will focus on insulation as a method of improving energy efficiency, with each chosen property receiving work worth up to £10,000.

Although households will be targeted and cannot directly apply for this Green Homes Grant funding, other services are more widely available. These include the Better Housing Better Health Service delivered by NEF that provides general warmth and wellbeing support to Oxfordshire – go online at bhbh.org.uk for more information.

The work is part of the first phase of the A4095 road realignment project, which will see two structures built to enable access both over and under the railway, connecting two sides of a new area of housing in north-west Bicester.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This scheme will help deliver positive impacts on the lives of local people of a growing community. It will allow people in this area of Bicester to adopt environmentally responsible forms of travel with options and infrastructure to enable cycling and walking. Our goal is to offer infrastructure which combines benefits of active travel with reducing congestion.”

As well as the new underbridge, there will be a separate pedestrian underpass further to the north. The work involves building a steel bridge under the railway and a separate concrete underpass further north under the line. The completion of both structures will enable the building of the newly aligned A4095 road.

The completion of both structures will contribute to one of the scheme’s overall aims – to reduce traffic through Bicester town centre. It will also improve road safety, support better public transport and encourage new and existing residents to use more sustainable transport with enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes, which are all key elements of Bicester garden town.

The underpass will allow a new bridleway to connect the two sides of the proposed development site allowing for better connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. The scheme will also unlock land to enable housing development and associated community facilities to the north-west of the garden town and support healthy new town principles.

The work is being delivered by Network Rail along with Story Contracting. The new infrastructure has been designed by Stantec and is being funded by Homes England and the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.

Work on the underbridge bridge will go ahead this Easter between 2 April and 5 April over a 101 hour period to keep rail disruption to the absolute minimum. There will be some movement of goods vehicles around the area of construction to the south of Bucknell Road and west of Howes Lane but no road closures are expected. 

The railway between Bicester North and Banbury will be closed while the structures are installed under the railway. From 23:59 on Thursday the 1 April until 06:00 on Tuesday 6 April, trains to London Marylebone will be diverted via Oxford and a replacement bus service will run between Bicester North and Banbury, calling at Kings Sutton. Those travelling by train over the Easter weekend are advised to leave more time to travel and to check their journey with their train operator or on the National Rail website.

In October, work will start on the first phase of the Bicester A4095 road realignment scheme. The work, funded by Homes England and the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal, is designed to address expected congestion between Howes Lane (A4095) and Bucknall Road, ensuring road capacity keeps pace with the housing and economic development in and around Bicester.

The new road realignment will also help to support the North West Bicester eco-town development, delivering up to 6000 much needed new homes and related community infrastructure.

The scheme has been helped with £23.5 million of funds from the £150 million Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal the Oxfordshire Growth Board agreed with the Government to accelerate the building of already planned housing that requires infrastructure investment to bring them forward.

The first phase of the work will be a bridge under the railway (a rail underbridge) to accommodate the realigned Howes Lane together with a separate underpass through the railway embankment at Bicester. The underpass will open a new route for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, eliminating the current obstacle of the railway embankment.

The building of both the underbridge and underpass beneath a live railway, the twin track NAJ2 Marylebone to Aynho line, is a specialist and challenging engineering project. This has been achieved through the close and collaborative working, for over a year, on design and delivery of the scheme by key partners of Oxfordshire County Council including Network Rail, Cherwell District Council, adjoining landowners and utility firm Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.

A brief railway closure over the Easter period of 2021 has been agreed with Network Rail to allow safe insertion of the steel underbridge while minimising disruption to the public.

The work is due for completion by July 2021. Both bridges will deliver the first phase of the A4095 realignment to be followed by the roadworks to complete the scheme; reducing local traffic congestion, improving connectivity and supporting the goal to open the Bicester eco-town and its promise of 6,000 new homes.

Cllr Yvonne Constance, Cabinet member for Environment said:

“Investment in better infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians along with real sustainable travel options is a vital part of our growth strategy. New homes are much needed in Oxfordshire but only in locations where they can be built with sustainable supporting infrastructure.

This work along the A4095 will allow Bicester to grow with real active travel options for future residents to enable it to be healthy and sustainable community.”

Cllr Lynn Pratt, lead member for economy, regeneration and property at Cherwell District Council said:

“The realignment of Howes Lane, and associated improvements for walkers and cyclists have only been possible because of extensive collaboration between Cherwell, Oxfordshire County Council, Network Rail, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and local landowners.

“Delivering this new infrastructure will not only ease congestion in the area but also unlock a vital parcel of land in north west Bicester, enabling the provision of 6,000 homes under the Garden Town scheme.”

The investments will enable the development of essential transport links to make sure sustainable infrastructure is built where it is needed to support the development of much needed new homes and jobs in Oxfordshire.

In a development covering the Didcot Garden Town Housing Infrastructure Fund programme or HIF1, the Cabinet took a key decision to accept the preferred alignment of the routes of the four parts of the scheme put forward by its officers.

A sum of £218m from government agency Homes England (HE) (towards infrastructure costs of £234m) will deliver:

• Widening the A4130 from A34 Milton Interchange towards Didcot from single to dual carriageway;
• A new Science Bridge over the A4130, Great Western Railway Line and Milton Road into the former Didcot A Power Station site;
• A new Didcot to Culham bridge between the A4130 and A415 including a new crossing of the River Thames River; and
• A Clifton Hampden bypass

In doing so, the council will also consider the views of local people who submitted views over two consultations to hear residents’ views on plans to support sustainable growth around Didcot. These were held in late 2018 and a second round in March-April this year which yielded almost 700 responses.

In the case of the Housing Infrastructure 2 (HIF 2) scheme, the cabinet agreement means that the council will move ahead with the three parts of the HIF 2 scheme to access Homes England funding agreed in November 2019 worth £102 million to develop:

• An extension of the A40 dual carriageway from Witney to the proposed Eynsham park and ride, including improving cycling infrastructure along the route.
• An extension of the A40 westbound bus lane from west of Duke’s Cut canal and railway bridges close Oxford near to the proposed Eynsham park and ride.
• A40 capacity and connectivity improvements to widen access at Duke’s Cut canal and railway bridges, extending the eastbound and westbound bus priority lane, prioritising bus rapid transit at this pinch point.

In both HIF schemes, the priority is the development of additional highway space, connectivity and infrastructure to encourage more sustainable forms of travel to meet the council’s zero carbon transport network ambitions such as public transport, walking and cycling connectivity. It will also support the delivery of wider health and place-shaping benefits in line with the council’s core policy objectives.

The Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Cllr Judith Heathcoat said:

“Oxfordshire County Council recognises an urgent need for new homes for its people and that these homes require us to get the right infrastructure in to support them first. We are committed to working with our communities to develop the right infrastructure in the right places to allow them to grow in a sustainable way.

Indeed, sustainability is at the very heart of what we intend to develop for the Didcot Garden Town area. A great boost to the work has now advanced with the award of £218m from homes England in June to allow us to work to get the infrastructure right.”

Lucille, 38 years old, is an Oxfordshire lady through and through. Family is very important to her and she’s very close to her mum, who still lives in the county. She’s a very sociable, bubbly character with an extremely positive outlook and is happiest when she is busy at her various clubs and groups, bingo at the local hall or simply spending time with her friends.

Rachel, who is 54, moved from the south of England to Oxfordshire when she was 18 owing to her father’s work at Oxford University. She had previously completed a course about animals and horticultural at a college in Yeovil, loves watch the news and is very skilled in arts and crafts.

The council’s community connections team have helped support Lucille and Rachel as they embarked on a move to their new homes at Mayott House in Abingdon. Community Connections is a part of the wider wellbeing and employment support provision offered by Oxfordshire County Council's Adult Social Care service, for people aged over 18 with additional needs.

They work with people with a learning disability, to enable them to take part in their communities more independently.

Both Lucille and Rachel had been previously residing at Milton Heights residential care home, which is set for closure. They had both made it evident from the beginning that they wanted to live together somewhere that could allow them the independence they sought and the chance to allow their long-lasting friendship to flourish.

Their social worker Lisa Onishi from Oxfordshire County Council’s community connections team said: “I was asked to assess both Lucille and Rachel and with the support of brokerage and sourcing find alternative accommodation.

“Rachel was reluctant to leave her current home where she had been very happy for over 30 years, however she understood the service was closing. One of the most important aspects for Rachel was that a move should include her ability to get to her work at MacDonald’s in Didcot 2 days a week.

“Working with both, they obviously didn’t want to move apart as they had been friends for over 10 years. They also wanted to maintain and grow their independence, so we needed to ensure that accommodation offered them all this.

Mayott House: a perfect match

Mayott House was soon recognised as an option. It had the support they both needed to lead the independent lives they want to lead, and most importantly, it had vacancies. Unfortunately, however, it appeared like the untimely arrival of Covid-19 was going to throw a spanner in the works.

Lisa continued: “No sooner had the application’s been made and initial discussions had we were met with Covid-19 restrictions. How then do we go forward for these two people? For the first three weeks of restrictions, no one was able to leave their homes or visit another. Social workers were now working from home where they could”

Technology helps us to keep in touch during these times

However, Lisa was able to carry out assessments using Microsoft Teams, allowing for Lucille and Rachel to be involved in the entire process. She even sent them photographs of the flats and communal areas and kept up to date with activities that would go on normally in-house in place of a visit.

it was obvious that to get things moving, the team needed to think outside the box, “we were able to arrange a visit with the ladies with the help of an occupational therapist” said Lisa. “They’d come on board earlier in the process and had met one of the ladies before lockdown and were able to order the equipment we needed to prepare the flats.

“The occupational therapist was even able to arrange a visit to the property so they could finally see their new homes before they got to move in, which was a lovely bonus for them.

“Tech also came in handy when it came to sorting out the administrative side of things. Both could sign their tenancies virtually, with our support, and could make some online purchases for all those important things like furniture until a time when they can get to the shops.”

Teamwork conquers all!

It’s been a difficult time for social workers and those who receive care and support as they learn to adapt to how they must communicate with each other. But it’s thanks to the resilience of everyone involved, and the willingness to adapt to the circumstances allowed Lucille and Rachel to get what they wanted.

Lisa continued: “their families have told me how happy they are in their new digs. It was a very challenging time, but thanks to teamwork between both us as professionals, and the wider organisations, Lucille and Rachel were able to move in very much stress-free.

“They’re both loving spending time in the garden enjoying their surroundings together and getting to know their new neighbours.

 “Lucille is very sociable, and it was important that a move provided her with the opportunity to meet new people but maintain her friendships and attend her social groups that are such a big part of her life.

“I spoke to Lucille following her move to see how she was doing. She exclaimed ‘its wonderful’ and went on to say that she loves her new home because she ‘can get up when I like, eat what I like and do what I like’.

“We spoke of her mum visiting and Lucille explained that she hasn’t been able to visit due to the virus but has managed to visit recently but said ‘mum loves my flat’.

“On moving her mum said she found it easier to visit Lucille as she is able to take the bus and get off outside the property whereas previously she was reliant on friends being able to take her to visit Lucille, now she can go whenever she wants”

More information

Find out more about our community connections team on our website. Mayott House is an extra care housing facility in Abingdon. More information about extra care housing is available here.

The easy to use service signposts property owners or private tenants to a website where a postcode is entered to find the most appropriate organization. The services and funds available include grants, loans and energy company schemes that provide home repairs, so residents can stay safe, secure, independent and warm.

The funding can be used to fit or fix a new boiler and install loft and cavity wall insulation to keep people affordably warm. There is also general advice available on how to stay safe and well, and home repairs are also available for people with disabilities.

In its first month, the website has received over 50 e-mails which have been sent directly to the services who can provide the help, when and where it is needed.

The service aims to make a positive difference to peoples’ health which can be negatively impacted by the cold weather conditions. The colder weather is often linked to an increase in heart attacks, strokes, respiratory problems as well as increased cases of isolation. Flu, coughs and cold symptoms can also increase during the winter months, especially for those who have a pre-existing health condition.

It is hoped that accessing the services from this user-friendly online website, will make a positive difference to bring comfort to people’s homes, encourage independence and care for those in greatest need.

Mrs Pilar Thompson from Abingdon Road, Oxford has benefitted from using the service. Her boiler had intermittent heat and was making very loud explosive sounds: “I thought my boiler might blow up. In the end I turned it off and didn’t have any heating in my house at all. My health was suffering, I was so scared and couldn’t sleep so I felt very anxious”.

Mrs Thompson was introduced to a Health Improvement Agency (HIA) case worker who arranged to visit her home with a local plumber. The boiler was deemed to be unsafe, so it was shut down. In the meantime, Mrs Pilar was left with an emergency plug in heater, informed about an appointment for her new boiler to be fitted and she was awarded funding for the new heating equipment to be installed.

Mrs Thompson says: “I am very grateful for all the work done, and very relieved. I know there are other people in the same situation. I think it is really important to have one website that can be promoted so it is easier for people to get help.”

In 2018, Oxfordshire’s vulnerable residents benefited from just over £3 million worth of support to keep them safe, healthy and independent in their homes, so this website is greeted with positive enthusiasm to make a difference.

Ansaf Azar, the Director for Public Health says:

We have taken feedback from communities and professionals that tells us it can be confusing and difficult to know where to find the right advice if you need home repairs. Living in a home that has sufficient heating to stay well, is important for people to live a good quality of life. This website is going to provide a lot of help and comfort to support our residents across the county to live well and live independently. It will also make life easier for residents, so they don’t have to contact different organisations and make multiple calls before they get the information they need.

The programme is proudly supported by the Oxfordshire County Council Information and Communications Technology team who have created intricate algorithms for the website, so seamless access can be given to residents, regardless of their address in Oxfordshire.

For more information go to: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/homerepairs

 If successful, the bid will deliver:

• Extension of the A40 dual carriageway from Witney to the proposed Eynsham park and ride, including improving cycling facilities along the route.

• Extension of A40 westbound bus lane from west of Duke’s Cut canal and railway bridges to the proposed Eynsham park and ride.

• A40 Capacity and Connectivity Improvements at Duke’s Cut Canal and Railway Bridges -

Oxfordshire County Council’s original proposals included the B4044 Community Path, which we took the difficult decision of removing as part of this package, due to the specific criteria for HIFs. Oxfordshire County Council remains committed to this scheme and will seek alternative funding. Please read our statement here.

Making the A40 fit for purpose

The overall scheme aims at creating substantial benefits for existing and future users the A40. This main artery is a single carriageway road and – on the section between Witney and Oxford – up to 32,000 vehicles currently use it each day. Congestion causes daily problems for road users and has been described by business leaders as one of the biggest barriers to economic growth and prosperity in West Oxfordshire. All modes of transport are impacted by congestion, which encourages traffic to seek other routes. Bus services are suffering from increasing journey times and are unable to reliably run to timetable. Demand for travel and transport will only increase over time.

The proposals seek to increase A40 highway capacity for all users of the route between Witney and Eynsham, while providing a high-quality, congestion-free public transport alternative for travel between Eynsham and Oxford. Interchange would be made possible at Eynsham Park & Ride, part of the A40 Science Transit 2 Scheme.

Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said:

“This bid will help us make the A40 fit for purpose giving it a much-needed upgrade to support sustainable growth in West Oxfordshire. The A40 is already above capacity severely affecting residents and businesses. The massive improvements we are proposing will alleviate congestion, improve public transport, making journeys more reliable and shorter and linking this route to the future Eynsham park and ride.”

Giles Hughes, Head of Paid Service at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “This bid will help ease the daily misery commuters have to endure on the A40 every day and will bring major benefits to the District’s economy in terms of attracting businesses and tourists to the area.

“A very strong case has been made to Government for this funding and we look forward to a positive outcome later in the year.”

Chris Coleman, Managing Director for Stagecoach in Oxford added: "We strongly support the HIF bid submitted by Oxfordshire County Council and believe that this second phase of improvements to the A40 west of Eynsham and around Dukes Cut is necessary to secure the full benefits arising from the initial bus lanes scheme east of Eynsham. Together, these will transform journey times and reliability for the thousands of customers using our services each week between West Oxfordshire and the City. This scheme creates a comprehensive solution necessary to deliver an attractive public transport offer on the A40 that is essential to serve the needs of planned residential and employment sites in the future.”

Oxfordshire County Council held a consultation to collect residents’ feedback on the plans for improving the A40 Corridor in late 2018 and expects to hear the outcome of the funding bid by late summer 2019.

The funding will support the creation of new houses including affordable homes and will improve transport links including walking and cycling routes.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, has announced in this year’s Spring Statement the positive outcome of the Housing Infrastructure Funding (HIF) bid for the Didcot Garden Town and the delivery of projects which include:

• A4130 widening from A34 Milton Interchange towards Didcot;
• A new “Science Bridge” over the A4130, Great Western Railway Line and Milton Road into the former Didcot A Power Station site;
• A new Culham to Didcot river crossing between the A415 and A4130; and
• A Clifton Hampden Bypass

The package of measures has previously been identified in Local Plans to deliver growth across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse districts and is linked with the Housing and Growth Deal which will help support the delivery of 100,000 new homes in Oxfordshire by 2031.

This funding announcement will mean that necessary infrastructure improvements are delivered in parallel with new homes and jobs ensuring the long-term economic success in this part of Oxfordshire.

All schemes include improved segregated walking and cycling routes which will give people real travel choice. The lack of suitable crossings over the railway line and river coupled with the success of the Science Vale area has resulted in heavy congestion. The same constraints have resulted in limited alternatives to the private car.

HIF will enable direct and convenient access between new and existing homes and key employment sites in and around Didcot. Oxfordshire County Council will continue to work with its partners and stakeholders to deliver the highway improvements to support growth across the area.

Working together to help residents and the local economy

Minister of State for Housing, Kit Malthouse MP, said:

“This £218 million investment from the Government is big backing for a big project, improving local transport links to unlock new homes for the good people of Oxfordshire for decades to come.

“It’s all part of how the Government is firing on all cylinders to help deliver up to one million new homes across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc by 2050, helping a new generation to realise the dream of home ownership.”

Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said:

“This is excellent news and shows the government recognises the importance of this area locally and nationally and the strength of our proposals to enable and sustain expected growth. It’s a much-needed boost and part of our wider plans for Oxfordshire so that communities, residents and businesses can thrive”.

Cllr Jane Murphy, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, described the announcement as "a significant moment for everybody living and working in Didcot and surrounding villages. I’m delighted that we’ve been a part of this successful bid to bring much-needed infrastructure to our district – this award demonstrates that by working closely with government, delivering on growth, and building positive working relationships with other councils, we can deliver much needed improvements for our residents.”

Cllr Roger Cox, Leader of Vale of White Horse District council added: "This is great news for the local economy – by working together with our colleagues in the councils across Oxfordshire, we have helped to secure the infrastructure investment we needed to ensure that the Science Vale area continues to thrive, offering lots of high quality jobs and career opportunities for our residents.”

Homes England Deputy Chief Executive, Tom Walker said:

“This is great news for Didcot and for Oxfordshire – the £218 million of Housing Infrastructure funding will secure the important infrastructure needed to support the delivery of thousands of new homes across Oxfordshire and help the local economy to grow. Homes England will continue to work alongside the local councils and the Oxfordshire Growth Board to help make these homes happen. ”

David Pryor, Chair of Didcot First, said “Didcot First welcomes the government’s continued investment to the town and surrounding area. With further growth expected in the next 20 years, I’m pleased that the funds have now become available to help relieve congestion in and around the garden town. I’ve been lobbying for a new bridge at Culham for a long time and with the bypass at Clifton Hampden, all the improvements will be welcome for everyone living in and around these areas.”

The garden town team have been working with the advisory board on prioritising the more than 60 individual projects listed in the delivery plan and will now take into account this new funding to support the new homes and jobs set to be created.

If successful, this bid for £218m (towards a total of £234m) will deliver:

• A4130 widening from A34 Milton Interchange towards Didcot;

• A new Science Bridge over the A4130, Great Western Railway Line and Milton Road into the former Didcot A Power Station site;

• A new Culham to Didcot river crossing between the A4130 and A415; and

• A Clifton Hampden Bypass

All schemes include improved segregated walking and cycling routes which will give people real travel choice. The lack of suitable crossings over the railway line and river coupled with growth in the past three decades has resulted in heavy congestion. The same constraints have resulted in limited alternatives to the private car. HIF will enable direct and convenient access between new and existing homes and key employment sites in and around Didcot. The HIF schemes have previously been identified in Local Plan development to deliver growth across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse districts.

Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said:

“This bid for more than £200m shows the sustainable growth ambitions of Oxfordshire. It demonstrates that Government is listening and the recognition that infrastructure is required in parallel to the delivery of new homes. The infrastructure will also be vital to economic growth and support job creation in an area important to the local and national economy whilst helping to support the objectives of Didcot Garden Town.”

Cllr Jane Murphy, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, and Chairman of the Oxfordshire Growth Board, said: “We are committed to ensuring our residents get the infrastructure that’s vitally needed in our district and in Oxfordshire as a whole – it’s one of the reasons we applied for garden town status for Didcot in the first place. We believe this bid is a strong one and we’re working positively and constructively with all our partners, including the government, to ensure this remains one of the best places to live in the country.”

The HIF schemes have previously been identified in the district councils’ Local Plan development to deliver growth across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. The county council has been working in partnership with the two district councils to help enable this necessary infrastructure.

Oxfordshire County Council held a consultation to hear residents’ views on our plans to support growth around Didcot in late 2018.

Oxfordshire County Council expects to hear the outcome of the funding bid by early summer 2019.

The future of transport lies in driverless cars, alternative fuels and power sources and a “connected” world where communication technology helps people get from A to B safely and efficiently.

From developing driverless cars to planning for zero-emission zones and installing power points for the next generation of cleaner cars, Oxfordshire County Council has a hand in supporting a wide-range of exciting local businesses and projects.

See the future now in Oxfordshire

But far from being about developments forever on the horizon, things are already happening right now.

Eagle-eyed visitors to Oxford may have seen the DRIVEN branded driverless cars travelling in and around Oxford for some time. Recently, as you will see in the video, one of the vehicles took to Frideswide Square and other city-centre roads.

Transport solutions come in different forms and recently the county council has worked closely with communities on the edge of Oxford to look at developing mobility options. This has worked really well and helped inform Oxford Bus’ roll out their new on demand bus service “Pick-me-up” – which shows putting in the resources to get community engagement to look in depth at a problem can have real impact and inform new commercial led solutions to their problems.

Smart Oxford, Smart Oxfordshire

The county council is a major player in the Smart Oxford project – a partnership of public and private sector organisations that are building a stronger, safer, economically and environmentally sustainable city.

And, because of its central role in unlocking funding and bringing people together, the county council is gaining a national profile sharing its experiences across the UK.

Oxfordshire is also one of the best-performing and most innovative areas in England and has unique assets to support growth in the national economy. A significant regional economy, Oxfordshire contributes £21.9 billion a year to national output.

This success is something that looks set to continue. Between 2011 and 2016, employment in Oxfordshire grew at 2.4 times the rate of its population, and employment in high tech sectors grew at 15.6%.

It is home to Oxford University, ranked number 1 in Europe for both research and commercialisation, large government investments (more than £2Bn in internationally leading scientific facilities), especially at Harwell and Culham, leading industry clusters in life sciences, scientific instrumentation and motorsport, and the largest investment fund for university spin-outs globally

£2.7m cash for real-world digital replica

Only this week a trailblazing county council-supported project that will develop a ‘Virtual Twin’ world for a type of driverless car – known as Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) – has been awarded £2.7m by the Government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.

This digital replica of the real world will provide a testbed for new driverless cars so that they can be thoroughly trialled and accredited before they take to the streets.

England’s number one

Oxfordshire has also been named in a recent report by Arcadis as the number one region in England for economic growth potential – ahead of Cambridge, Manchester and London – and behind only Edinburgh in the UK.

This is due, in part, to the amazing range of technology-based companies in the county. Oxfordshire is currently home to an internationally recognised cluster of ‘big science’ and research facilities - over 1,500 high tech businesses - and a highly skilled workforce.

Llewellyn Morgan, the county council’s service manager for infrastructure, innovation and development, said: “Rising to the challenge of transport is key to Oxfordshire continuing to grow and benefit from thriving economy.

“You can look at Oxford city in two ways. The traditional view is that it is made up of roads that are too narrow and winding to be fit for the future. But the way we see them is as the ideal environment to test and develop technology that can really make a massive difference.

“Transport is one of the major challenges for Oxfordshire and many other areas trying to fulfil their potential, which is fortunate as we are home to world-leading engineers, developers and cutting-edge technology companies, not to mention Oxford University which is ranked number top in Europe for research and commercialisation.

“Oxfordshire is globally renowned as a centre of science and innovation and one of the top five innovation ecosystems in the world, but rankings don’t mean a great deal without things happening out there in our communities and on the county’s roads.”

Plans for up to 2,500 homes on the old airfield at Grove have been officially granted outline planning permission after Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey signed a legal agreement with Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council that sets out the infrastructure the developers will provide to support the new housing.

The airfield site is over 140 hectares in size, 64 hectares of which will be built upon. The development will include new schools for children at both primary and secondary school age, a community hub, a local centre for shops and other community facilities, a community park, playing fields and an ecology park. It will also include around 800 affordable homes.

The next stage is for the developers to submit detailed planning applications and once those are approved, building can begin.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said: “This agreement brings lots of key infrastructure and funding to support the housing growth. As well as land for new schools, the agreement secures over £40m towards new primary and secondary education facilities and key road infrastructure (Wantage Eastern Link Road). We look forward to the delivery of key infrastructure to support this much needed housing growth.”

Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We are very pleased to have got to this stage – a lot of work and effort has gone into this from all parties. The expansion of Grove in the 60s and 70s gave thousands of families the opportunity to find a home of their own, in a good neighbourhood in the Vale. The airfield development will provide that opportunity to their children and grandchildren.”

Richard Briggs, managing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “We are delighted to have been granted outline planning for this new development which will bring much-needed starter and family homes to Oxfordshire.”

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council and Chair of the Oxfordshire Growth Board, said: “The recommendations made to the Growth Board on housing apportionment was the result of years of hard work by all six councils in the county who have worked in partnership to develop a sustainable approach to meet the county’s future housing needs.

“I am disappointed that South Oxfordshire District Council was not in a position to support the recommendation. However, I am pleased that all other councils voted in support of the recommendations.”

The Memorandum of Co-operation was expanded to reiterate that the programme does not “identify, propose, recommend or seek to identify, propose or recommend any site or sites for additional housing within any district. Each Local Planning Authority will remain responsible for the allocation of housing sites within its own district and through its own Local Plan process.”

What is the Oxfordshire Growth Board?

The Oxfordshire Growth Board is a joint committee of the six councils of Oxfordshire, set up to facilitate and enable joint working on economic development, strategic planning and growth. It does this by:

• advising on matters of collective interest, to seek agreement on local priorities and influence relevant local, regional and national bodies

• overseeing the delivery of projects that the councils of Oxfordshire are seeking to deliver collaboratively in the fields of economic development and strategic planning and those agreed in the City Deal and Local Growth Deals that fall to the councils, working collaboratively, to deliver and has an overall responsibility to manage these programmes of work alongside the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

The meetings are administered and hosted on a rota basis and currently Oxfordshire County Council is the hosting authority.

The leaders of all six councils sit on the Growth Board.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The following recommendations presented to the Growth Board at its meeting on September 26^th have been agreed by five of Oxfordshire’s six councils (Cherwell, City, County Council, Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire). South Oxfordshire District Council has yet to agree its figure.

1. Approve the apportionment of the agreed working figure for the unmet housing need for Oxford, in the interest of complying with the Duty to Co-operate.

2. Approve the attached Memorandum of Co-operation setting out the apportionment and timetable for delivery of the unmet housing need for Oxford, subject to the following addition as a new 3.6 to Section 3: 

3.6 The Programme does not identify, propose, recommend or seek to identify, propose or recommend any site or sites for additional housing within any district. Each Local Planning Authority (LPA) will remain responsible for the allocation of housing sites within its own district and through its own Local Plan process.

N.B In light of the vote, officers were authorised to make such minor editing changes to reflect that South Oxfordshire District Council will not be signing the Memorandum of Understanding.

3. Formally recommend the approved apportionment to each of the Oxfordshire Local Planning Authorities for consideration in the preparation of their Local Plans, in the interest of meeting the objectively assessed housing needs for Oxfordshire.

The recommended apportionment discussed today (September 26) was as follows:

The Oxfordshire Growth Board is a joint committee of the six councils of Oxfordshire, set up to facilitate and enable joint working on economic development, strategic planning and growth. It does this by:

• advising on matters of collective interest, to seek agreement on local priorities and influence relevant local, regional and national bodies

• overseeing the delivery of projects that the councils of Oxfordshire are seeking to deliver collaboratively in the fields of economic development and strategic planning and those agreed in the City Deal and Local Growth Deals that fall to the councils, working collaboratively, to deliver and has an overall responsibility to manage these programmes of work alongside the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

The meetings are administered and hosted on a rota basis and currently Oxfordshire County Council is the hosting authority.

The Oxfordshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) was commissioned jointly by all the Oxfordshire district councils supported by Oxfordshire County Council and published in 2014. It was a technical study intended to help the Oxfordshire local planning authorities understand how many homes will be needed in the period 2011 – 2031. It also considers the housing needs of specific groups such as older people, minority groups and people with disabilities and what housing growth will be needed to support the economy.

The results of the Oxfordshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) published in 2014 established the overall housing need for each district planning area. The councils in Oxfordshire generally agree that Oxford City is not able to fully accommodate its need within its boundaries. Government requires neighbouring areas to cooperate in such circumstances and an agreement was reached that assistance would be needed from other districts in Oxfordshire to meet Oxford’s unmet need. Senior officers for all of Oxfordshire’s councils set up a programme of work to address this issue.

The Oxfordshire Growth Board will meet to agree a proposed apportionment of 15,000 homes but will not make decisions on where in each district housing growth will go. Each Local Planning Authority has the responsibility of doing this in their Local Plans. The Growth Board will consider a body of jointly produced work with a view to reaching a cooperative agreement on how Oxford’s unmet housing need should be distributed across the county. This work has involved consideration of the level of unmet housing need, the sustainability of broad growth options, a study of the Green Belt, transport and infrastructure issues.

The report to be presented on Sept 26 recommends that the Growth Board:

• approve the apportionment of the agreed working figure for the unmet housing need for Oxford

• approve a Memorandum of Co-operation setting out the apportionment and timetable for delivery of the unmet housing need for Oxford

• formally recommend the approved apportionment to each of the Oxfordshire Local Planning Authorities for consideration in the preparation of their Local Plans, in the interest of meeting the objectively assessed housing needs for Oxfordshire.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council and Chair of the Oxfordshire Growth Board, said:

“It is a well-known fact that housing is a major issue in Oxfordshire, with no easy answers, so it’s important that we all work together to consider the housing needs of the county in the context of economic growth.

“The Oxfordshire Growth Board enables local government and representatives from education, transport and local business to focus on resolving county-wide issues such as housing in a co-ordinated and sustainable way.

“It is welcome news that the Oxfordshire Growth Board now has a comprehensive, county-wide evidence base which is needed to consider a fair and sustainable way to share Oxford’s housing needs beyond the Oxford boundary.”

Notes to editors

Item 15 of ‘Oxfordshire Growth Board Post SHMA Strategic Work Programme’ report

The recommended apportionment is as follows:

The Oxfordshire Growth Board is a joint committee of the six councils of Oxfordshire, set up to facilitate and enable joint working on economic development, strategic planning and growth. It does this by:

• advising on matters of collective interest, to seek agreement on local priorities and influence relevant local, regional and national bodies

• overseeing the delivery of projects that the councils of Oxfordshire are seeking to deliver collaboratively in the fields of economic development and strategic planning and those agreed in the City Deal and Local Growth Deals that fall to the councils, working collaboratively, to deliver and has an overall responsibility to manage these programmes of work alongside the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

The meetings are administered and hosted on a rota basis and currently Oxfordshire County Council is the hosting authority.

The Oxfordshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) was commissioned jointly by all the Oxfordshire district councils supported by Oxfordshire County Council and published in 2014. It was a technical study intended to help the Oxfordshire local planning authorities understand how many homes will be needed in the period 2011 – 2031. It also considers the housing needs of specific groups such as older people, minority groups and people with disabilities and what housing growth will be needed to support the economy.