SODC Update – February 2024

New Joint Local Plan – Preferred Options Consultation

 The most significant document the district council produces is its Local Plan. The Joint Local Plan 2041 is now in its Preferred Options Consultation stage.

Ambitious new policies on biodiversity and energy efficiency are being proposed and crucially, some housing sites that were allocated in the last Local Plan 2035 are being removed. These include Chalgrove Airfield and a site in Nettlebed, in the Chilterns National Landscape (formerly known as AONB).

Following motions and work by Jo, it is pleasing to see policies to protect dark skies and tranquil places and policies to protect our rivers.

We are asking residents, businesses and local organisations to review the proposed policies and share their thoughts.

Some in-person drop in sessions have already taken place but you can review the policies and give your views at:

https://theconversation.southandvale.gov.uk/jlp/

We are very keen to broaden the reach of our consultation and get as many residents, businesses and community groups as possible to share their thoughts. Please do share with your residents and parish councils are, as ever, encouraged to respond and give their views.

The consultation closes on 26 February.

Recycling League Tables

South Oxfordshire is officially the number one district in the country for recycling, with 61.6% of waste being recycled. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) recycling league tables published last month placed South Oxfordshire in first place and Vale of White Horse third.  https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results-202223

Congratulations and THANK YOU to our residents for your commitment to recycling.

The news follows the announcement of the extension of the waste contract with Biffa until June 2026 and work starting on a new waste strategy that will put reducing waste and reusing items at the centre of future efforts.

Alongside the high performing collection rates for both councils, locally, a recent waste satisfaction survey has yielded encouraging results for the councils’ household waste collections, indicating a high level of resident approval with this side of the service. An impressive 82% of respondents expressed satisfaction, or high satisfaction, with the overall quality of the waste and recycling services provided.

The Councils are now encouraging residents to further boost this achievement by turning their efforts to reducing waste.

This is your regular reminder to PLEASE REPORT MISSED BIN COLLECTIONS by 6pm on the day after collection day. You can report a missed bin to Biffa, by emailing admin.southoxford@biffa.co.uk or calling 03000 610610.

Get Ready for the Great British Spring Clean

The Council is once again supporting Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean with litter pickers, high-viz jackets and bags available for loan to community litter picking groups and individuals from Friday 15 March to Sunday 31 March.

Equipment is limited and it’s first-come-first-served, so bookings should be made as soon as possible by completing and returning the booking form and declaration document available on South’s litter picking webpage: waste.team@southandvale.gov.uk  We must receive completed forms at least two weeks before a litter pick takes place.

GLL Sport Foundation Grants

Local athletes in need of financial help with their sporting endeavours can apply to the GLL Sport Foundation. The Foundation supports local athletes with access to sports facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring, mental health support and financial assistance.

https://www.gllsportfoundation.org/news/gll-sport-foundation-awards-2024-applications-open

Motions to Council

Motions proposed by elected and approved by council, and actions taken on them are now available to view on the Council’s website. Do have a look if you are interested: https://www.southoxon.gov.uk/south-oxfordshire-district-council/local-democracy-and-elections/council-meetings-and-decision-making/approved-motions-2/