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Sign up to receive our Your Oxford e-newsletter 🌟 http://oxford.gov.uk/newsletter 📥 Stay up to date with what's happening in the city, sign up for our regular e-newsletter: www.oxford.gov.uk/newsletter

💬 We encourage and welcome open, lively debate on our social media channels as long as it is civil and relevant. Remember your comments and posts are public and available to anyone visiting our channels. We won’t suppress legitimate debate of relevant issues, however, we want to ensure people’s safety online, and will not tolerate posts that we feel are inappropriate. You can find our full social media moderation policy here https://www.oxford.gov.uk/communications/social-media-moderation-policy

Statement on County Council issuing legal letter on LGR The government is reorganising local government across England b...
14/10/2026

Statement on County Council issuing legal letter on LGR

The government is reorganising local government across England by replacing district, city and county councils with unitary councils.

Unitary councils are responsible for all council services in an area.

In July, the government announced it was minded to create three unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire:

- Greater Oxford Council
- Northern Oxfordshire Council
- Ridgeway Council

Oxfordshire County Council has now taken the formal step of issuing a legal letter to government ahead of a potential judicial review of local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

The government is currently reviewing its decisions following legal advice and to ensure the reorganisation programme is robust and aligned with the new government's priorities.

Our statement:

"While I understand the leadership at Oxfordshire County Council was disappointed by the Government's preference for three unitary councils, I don't think it should be spending public money on a legal challenge.

"We look forward to the government completing its review of its July three-unitary decision for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, so that all councils can get back to working together to make local government simpler, clearer and better value for residents.

"The three-council model selected by the government will give Oxfordshire and West Berkshire the tools needed to tackle the housing crisis and create well-paid, secure jobs.

"We remain focused on delivering those benefits and making Oxford and the wider area more affordable for future generations."

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council

14/10/2026

Proud moment for the team 🏆 Fishers Vale has been shortlisted in the New Buildings category at this year's Oxford Preservation Trust Awards.

The Awards celebrate the very best in design, conservation and landscape across Oxford, so it's a huge honour to be recognised alongside so many brilliant projects.

Major milestone announced for Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme 💧🌱The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme has reached a signif...
13/10/2026

Major milestone announced for Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme 💧🌱

The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme has reached a significant milestone after its Full Business Case (FBC) was approved by HM Treasury.

The FBC is a key stage in the government's approval process for major infrastructure projects. It demonstrates that the scheme is deliverable and provides value for money. Approval means the project has successfully met these requirements and can continue progressing towards construction.

About the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme

The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme will create a new stream and wetland wildlife corridor to reduce flood risk in Oxford and surrounding areas. Running for around 5km through the floodplain west of the city, the scheme has been designed to work with the natural landscape and will blend into the surrounding countryside.

Oxford City Council has set aside £4.35 million towards the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme and is currently planning for a potential further contribution of £1.3 million, subject to future approval.

As well as helping to protect homes, businesses, roads, rail services and other vital infrastructure from flooding, the scheme will deliver significant environmental benefits. It will create more than 20 hectares of new wetland habitat and around 16 hectares of floodplain meadow, helping wildlife to thrive and enhancing the local environment.

Over its lifetime, the scheme is expected to save more than £1.8 billion by reducing flood damage and disruption.

What are the next steps?

Now that the Full Business Case has been approved, the next milestone is to secure final planning permission for the scheme.

The next stage of the project will focus on getting everything ready for construction. This includes completing final approvals, preparing the site and putting the necessary facilities and access arrangements in place before work begins.

We'll continue to keep residents updated and will share more information about timings and key milestones as soon as it is available.

13/10/2026

One Week to go!

Beats, Rhythms & Rhymes

Join us at MOX for a musical collaboration marking Black History Month, featuring spoken word, performance poetry, and song. Whilst showcasing different generations and genre, the evening echoes around how music is used to tell our stories and celebrate our history, our communities, and our resilience.

We have a super exciting line-up for this event:

• Fimber Bravo — internationally-known steel pan maestro
• Jali Fily Cissokho — virtuoso kora player & singer
• Euton Daley — Unlock the Chains Collective
• Asher AJ Dust — singer, songwriter, and poet
• Amantha Edmead — Unlock the Chains Collective
• Kemastry — hip-hop and spoken word artist
• Rawz — hip-hop and spoken word artist

Saturday 17 October 🗓
6:30-9pm ⌚
Doors open at 6:30pm, with a chance to explore the museum and exhibition (included in entry) before the performances 🎫

This event has been produced in collaboration with Unlock the Chains Collective. Unlock the Chains Collective make and produce theatre and cultural engagement that explores the Black experience through the fusion of dance, music, song, and spoken word / performance poetry. They bring artists together to explore, make work, and develop a Black Arts aesthetics. More about Unlock the Chains Collective can be found on their webpage here: https://www.eutondaley.com/unlock-the-chains-collective.html.

Photo credit to David Fisher

This event is part of the Sounds of the City events programme, funded by Arts Council England.

Trader survey finds Gloucester Green Market is performing positively and well-liked 📍📄Due to the high level of public in...
13/10/2026

Trader survey finds Gloucester Green Market is performing positively and well-liked 📍📄

Due to the high level of public interest, we recently commissioned The Retail Group to conduct an independent study, which included an anonymous survey of traders, and industry expert opinion of Gloucester Green Market.

Data from the study found that overall, Gloucester Green Market is performing well, traders are satisfied and it attracts a high frequency of visits, typically at least weekly.

The study also noted changing national consumer trends for city centre markets, where there are now significantly less hobbyists selling bric-a-brac and fresh produce stalls, but more hot food to meet consumer demand.

Key findings

• One third of visitors come at least daily or twice a week.
• 68% of traders say it’s easy or very easy to communicate with the market management team. Only 11% find it difficult which gives an opportunity for improvement.
• Almost as many traders want less street food as those who want to see more and quality/better street food.
• Over half of traders reported trading down on last year, yet over half were satisfied or very satisfied with their performance, only 14% were dissatisfied.
• 80% of traders use social media to promote their business and 56% say they have benefited from wider social media promotion of the market.
• They report trading is busiest on Saturday and Wednesdays at lunchtimes, and in the afternoons.
• When asked what the main strength of the market was, most traders said its location, followed by availability of students and tourists, the trader mix and the food offer.

Traders also shared areas for improvement, ranging from marketing and promotion, lack of facilities, parking and costs.

We will now share the findings of the report with the market operator, L*D Promotions, so it can come up with a robust set of next steps.

Your Oxford photography competition: Autumn is here 🍂The Your Oxford photography competition is back and this October, w...
13/10/2026

Your Oxford photography competition: Autumn is here 🍂

The Your Oxford photography competition is back and this October, we're looking for photos of Oxford and surrounds in all their autumnal glory!

The winning photo will appear as the banner image on our page until the next competition. We'll also share a selection of the best images on our Facebook and Instagram.

To enter, simply send us a direct message with your photo. Please read the terms and conditions linked below to ensure your photo fits within the guidelines.

Entries close midnight Monday 19 October, with the winner notified by direct message.

You can find full Terms and Conditions on our website: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/communications/oxford-photography-competition-terms-conditions

Pictured: Aston's Eyot

Yesterday, Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Chewe Munkonge, swapped his mayoral chains for running shoes as he took on h...
12/10/2026

Yesterday, Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Chewe Munkonge, swapped his mayoral chains for running shoes as he took on his first-ever half marathon to raise money for Sobell House Hospice.

Sobell House Hospice provides specialist palliative care and support to patients and families across Oxfordshire, helping people through some of life’s most difficult moments.

Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Chewe Munkonge:

"13.1 miles completed! The legs are tired, but the heart is full! Proud to have completed the Oxford Half Marathon, raising funds for Sobell House Hospice, one of my chosen Lord Mayor’s charities. A huge thank you to everyone who supported, donated and cheered us on. Every mile was worth it!"

12/10/2026

What are we doing to support Oxford's hospitality industry?

You asked, and Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, is here with the answers.

📢 Your one-minute guide to what happened in Oxford this week ✅First residents move into new social rent homes at Chestnu...
09/10/2026

📢 Your one-minute guide to what happened in Oxford this week ✅

First residents move into new social rent homes at Chestnut Tower 🏠📦🔑

Residents are moving into 61 homes for social rent at the new Chestnut Tower in Blackbird Leys, marking a major milestone in the widespread regeneration of the area.

The new homes in the nine-storey development are being allocated through Oxford City Council’s housing register, and are designed to help local people who have been waiting for a secure and genuinely affordable place to live.

Cowley Community Roadshow at Templars Square

More than 100 organisations, charities, community groups and public services are coming together on Wednesday 4 November at Templars Square for the Cowley Community Roadshow hosted in partnership with Oxford City Council.

Taking place from 1pm-4pm, the free event will be an opportunity to meet organisations face-to-face, ask questions and discover the support and services that are available across Oxford.

Seek helpful advice at our renters face-to-face clinic 🏠😄

Feeling harassed by your landlord? Do they come in unannounced or have you had your rent increased? Want advice on your tenancy rights?

Our renters face-to-face clinic can give you advice. Book an appointment by calling 01865 252267 or 01865 252211. It takes place on Wednesdays from 9am-12pm at Rose Hill Community Centre.

Bike removals for Oxford Half Marathon ⚠️🚴‍♀️

A reminder that as part of preparations for the Oxford Half Marathon, all bike racks along Jowett Walk, Mansfield Road, and Broad Street will be suspended from 6am on Saturday (10 October). Any bicycles still attached to these racks at that time will be removed.

Any bicycles that are removed will be securely stored for 35 days. After this period, unclaimed bikes will be donated or recycled. Anyone wishing to reclaim a removed bicycle should contact [email protected].

The bike racks will be reinstated by 7am on Monday (12 October).

ODS launches safety campaign as dangerous driving puts frontline crews at risk ⚠️ 🚛

ODS is launching a new workforce safety campaign following a number of near miss incidents involving domestic and commercial recycling and waste crews.

The campaign, known as DROPs (Driving Recklessly on Pavements), aims to remind motorists to slow down, be patient around working vehicles, and recognise that the people collecting waste and recycling are carrying out essential frontline services and deserve to do so safely.

ODS crews continue to report dangerous driving behaviour while working on streets across the city, including motorists mounting pavements, attempting to squeeze past collection vehicles in narrow roads, and making last-second overtakes. Watch the footage: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7RKpQp2IPW0

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Later this month, Oxford City Council will discuss an updated Museum of Oxford Business Plan for 2026-2029. The upda...
09/10/2026

Later this month, Oxford City Council will discuss an updated Museum of Oxford Business Plan for 2026-2029.

The updated business plan sets out a vision for the Museum’s future, focussed on improving long-term financial sustainability, increasing access for Oxford residents and developing new opportunity for community support, philanthropy and sponsorship.

The proposals aim to ensure that the Museum can continue to share Oxford’s stories, support learning and engagement and care for its collections for future generations.

The business plan proposes:

-Piloting free admission to the Museum of Oxford for Oxford city residents from 4 January 2027 until 31 March 2027
-Launching a Friends, Patrons and Corporate Sponsorship Scheme in the run up to Christmas 2026 to support the museum and strengthen community involvement
-Relaunching an Adopt an Object scheme in the run up to Christmas 2026 enabling residents, visitors and businesses to directly support Oxford’s heritage
-Developing a broader range of income sources to support the Museum’s long-term sustainability and reduce reliance on any single source of funding

The business plan report will be discussed by the Council's Scrutiny Committee on 13 October, followed by Cabinet on 21 October.

Read more about the proposals: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article/1920/museum-of-oxford-updated-business-plan-to-be-discussed-at-scrutiny-and-cabinet-later-this-month

Address

Oxford Town Hall, Street Aldate's
Oxford
OX11BX

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441865249811

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