u/oxford-city-council

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 stuart.grisbrooke@odsgroup.co.uk.

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

Want this in your inbox? Subscribe to our Your Oxford newsletter: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/newsletter

£20,000 Grassroots Music Fund launches 

We’ve launched a £20,000 Grassroots Music Fund to support musicians, promoters and live music venues across the city.

Grants will help increase access to rehearsal and performance spaces, reduce costs and support Oxford's thriving music scene. Applications are now open and close on 12 October.

Apply here: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/grants/grassroots-music-fund

City Sightseeing Oxford and Museum of Oxford partner for reduced ticket offer

The new offer includes unlimited hop-on, hop-off bus travel for the duration of your ticket and a museum visit that can be used within three months.

The markets are alive with the sound of summer events

Gloucester Green's new Market Music Sessions and a busy programme at the Covered Market are giving visitors plenty of reasons to stop by.

• Events at Gloucester Green: https://oxfordoutdoormarket.co.uk/
• Events at the Covered Market: https://oxford-coveredmarket.co.uk/news-and-events/

A look around Goose Green

Construction is set to begin on Goose Green, a new housing development at Oxford North. The development will deliver 24 new homes including 10 one, three and four-bedroom homes for social rent.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing, took a look around: https://youtube.com/shorts/zIrySoTIdmY

Want this in your inbox? Subscribe to our Your Oxford newsletter: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/newsletter

Oxfordshire and West Berkshire will have three new councils from 1 April 2028.

The councils are:

• Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings.
• Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts.
• Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, combined with West Berkshire.

Oxfordshire and West Berkshire’s seven existing councils – including Oxford City Council – will end at the same time.

Each new council will be responsible for all local services in its area, including housing, social care, recycling and roads. This means services will no longer be split between city, district and county councils.

There are no immediate changes to council services.

The existing councils are working together to design and deliver the new councils, while ensuring services continue without disruption.

The transition to the new councils will be led by shadow councils. These will be created after the elections for the unitary councils take place in May 2027.

Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, explains what this means for Oxford residents: https://youtube.com/shorts/1tOi-2VP-_A

For more information, visit www.3councils.org.