We asked, you said, we did

Members of the public for their feedback on the trial parking machines—touch screen and keypad—located in Civic Car Park (Abingdon), Cattle Market (Wallingford), Goldsmith Lane (Wallingford) and West St Helen’s Street (Abingdon) from Wednesday 9 April until 11:59pm Monday 26 May 2025. The survey was promoted via posters located alongside the car park machines.

We received 36 completed responses. 44% of them used the Civic Car park machine in Abingdon followed by Goldsmiths Lane in Wallingford and West St Helen Street which both had 19% each and Cattle Street in Wallingford with 17%.

Touch screen machines

• Of the 61% (22 respondents) that used the touch screen machines, 50% agree that the instructions were easy to follow.
• 82% agree that the machine was easy to input vehicle registration details
• 45% felt the machine processed their payment quickly, 23% did not.
• 50% are happy to have an electronic ticket rather than a ticket to go on their dashboard, whilst 40% are not.

Keypad machines

• Of the 28% (10 respondents) that used the keypad machines, 60% agree that the instructions were easy to follow.
• 80% said it was easy to input their vehicle registration details
• 40% of respondents disagree that the machine processed their payment quickly, whilst 30% agreed.
• 50% disagree with having electronic ticket rather than a ticket to go on their dashboard, whilst 30% are.

The results have been reviewed and will be presented to council members at a full council meeting in Autumn 2025. If approved, the most appropriate car parking machine will be purchased and installed across all council-owned car parks in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. You can read the full Parking Machines Trial Report here.

Owners of, and people responsible for empty properties in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse to provide information to understand why their property is empty and how we can help to bring it back into use. 

200 completed responses were received, of which 123 were submitted online and 77 via email and post. Most respondents were owners of one or more empty property/ies (59 per cent), whilst 28 per cent were responsible for them. With respect to the type and state of the empty property, the reason for buying it and for it being empty, and the length of time it has been empty, the most common responses provided were:

• 22 per cent declared a detached property and 33 per cent said their property had five or more rooms
• 36 per cent of properties were in need of major renovation
• 33 per cent of properties were bought as primary residence
• 37 per cent of properties have been empty for 1-2 years
• In 26 per cent of cases the relevant proprietor of the property had died 

Respondents to the survey have been offered help and advice to bring their properties back into use, or they have been considered for further monitoring. Empty property owners who did not respond to the survey will be contacted again on a regular basis. Click on this link to read more about the findings of this survey. 

Members of the public, registered charities and charity collectors, businesses/organisations, and district, county and town/parish councils for their views on our new joint policy on charity collections. The proposed policy is aimed at safeguarding donors and beneficiaries, ensuring fair access to collection opportunities and preventing unlicensed fundraising. You can read the full proposed Charity Collection Policy here. 

We received 95 completed responses for this consultation. Most respondents agreed with all the proposals made in the Charity Collection Policy, in relation to both house-to-house collections and street collections. 

More specifically, with regards to house-to-house-collections:

• 89% agree with the proposed amends for applicants to provide detailed supporting material about their charity. 
• 69% agree with the proposed amends to restrict where collections can take place to prevent blanket district-wide collections.  
• 86% agree with the proposal that a minimum of 80 per cent of money donated during house-to-house collections should go to the charitable cause. 
• 86% agree with the proposed amends to set grounds for which an application may be refused.  

With regards to street collections:

• 75% agree with the proposed amends for any one charity/group be allocated a maximum of four collections per year, to provide equal access to all who wish to collect. 
• 87% agree with the proposed amendments to set the grounds on which an application may be refused. 

A report with the results of the consultation was presented to the council’s General Licensing Committees in July 2025. The committee reports included details of changes made to the proposed policy as a result of feedback from the consultation. The Committees discussed the results of the consultation, and a number of the comments received and approved the proposed policy to take effect from 1 August 2025. You can read the comments received in our consultation summary report. Click here to view the Appendix to the report.

We asked business/organisations, town/parish councillors and members of the public for their views on our joint licensing policy for sex establishments in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. The original policy, which was introduced in 2011, was due a review and update. The proposed policy included updates to legislation and expansion to various sections to provide further detail and to add more clarity. 

• 3 completed responses were received to this consultation. All feedback (100%) was received from district, county or town/parish councillors. 

•  67% of respondents which is the equivalent of 2 respondents disagree with the proposed Sex Establishments Policy, whilst 33% (1 respondent) expressed agreement. The respondents disagreed with the section of the policy in which the council determined that ‘nil’ is an appropriate number of licences to be granted in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. 

The council responded to the feedback to explain that a nil policy is an early indication to an applicant that having taken into account the local factors, the nature of our market towns and surrounding areas (for example as family friendly, tourist or heritage areas), that the council has determined that ‘nil’ is an appropriate number of licences that may be granted. However, having a nil policy does not mean the council can reject the submission of an application out of hand. All applications will still need to be determined on their own merits, having regard to the criteria set out within the policy. If an applicant makes a valid application and provides all of the documentation set out in the policy, it will then be up to the licensing panel to determine it in line with that policy taking into account factors such as the character of the locality, the use of other premises in the vicinity and the layout and character of the proposed premises. 

The results of the consultation were presented to the council’s General Licensing Committees in July 2025. The Committees considered results of the consultation including the qualitative comments and approved the proposed policy to take effect from 1 August 2025. You can read the comments received in our consultation summary report.

People living or working in Berinsfield, businesses/organisations, community and interest groups, district, county and town/parish councils for their views on the Berinsfield Regeneration Strategy.

102 completed responses were received. 92 per cent of respondents were local residents. According to respondents, the most important theme of the regeneration strategy was ‘Community Infrastructure’. For all themes except three, Affordable Housing, Design and Implementation, and Management of Facilities and Open Spaces, most respondents would like their relative projects to be delivered before new homes are built at Mount Farm. Click on this link to read the full report.

The findings of this consultation will help us guide and inform regeneration opportunities in Berinsfield and as part of any future housing development, to ensure they are maximised and deliver real improvement for the existing village. The comments received will contribute to the Berinsfield Regeneration Strategy, which in turn will seek to encourage, through the planning process, the investment of funding from any future housing development in residents’ priorities to achieve the change they require in Berinsfield. 

Street traders/businesses, district, county and town/parish councils, councillors, officers and members of the public for their views on our proposed amends to the Joint Street Trading Policy, which was last reviewed in 2011.

Since the policy was last reviewed, street trading has become more popular in the districts, which in turn, identified gaps within the policy.

The amendments included updates to community and charity events, markets and single-use plastic. We also proposed to include advice we currently give to applicants who wish to trade from multiple sites.

The consultation ran for a six-week period until Tuesday 26 November 2024.

We received 49 responses to the survey.

• Most responses (88%) were received from members of the public.
• 2% of responses were received from a street trader/business.
• 71% of respondents expressed agreement with the proposed changes to the decision-making section of the policy.

You can view all the key findings in our consultation summary report, along with an officer response to the comments received.

The results of the consultation were presented to the council’s General Licensing Committees in February 2025. The committee reports included details of changes made to the proposed policy following feedback from the consultation. The Committees considered the results of the consultation and the proposed policy and agreed to approve it to take effect from 1 April 2025.

Members of the public, town/parish councils and district councillors for their comments on proposed changes to selected polling districts and places within South Oxfordshire from 13 September until 25 October 2024.

As a local authority, we have a statutory duty to review the polling districts and places for UK parliamentary consultations at least once every five years.

We received 120 responses to this consultation, of which 98% were from members of the public.

The most selected polling place to comment on was Henley Leisure Centre (29%).

More details on the consultation results, including all comments received, are available in our summary report.

The feedback received was reviewed and presented to the Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee on 18 November 2024. The committee agreed to all the changes which were included in our final recommendation.

Most proposals made in the consultation have been adopted, apart from a few exceptions which are detailed within the consultation summary report.

The Elections Team have proceeded to implement the agreed changes which were actioned to take effect before the next election in May 2025.

Members of the public, town/parish councils and district councillors for their comments on proposed changes to selected polling districts and places within South Oxfordshire from 13 September until 25 October 2024.

As a local authority, we have a statutory duty to review the polling districts and places for UK parliamentary consultations at least once every five years.

We received 78 responses to this consultation, of which 97% were from members of the public. 

• 66% of respondents chose to comment on the Corn Exchange in Faringdon, whilst 10% of respondents commented on The Beacon in Wantage and Shellingford Community Hall making them the second most selected polling places.

More details on the consultation results, including all comments received, are available in our summary report.

The feedback received was reviewed and presented to the Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee on 13 November 2024. The committee agreed to all changes which were included in our final recommendation.

Most proposals made in the consultation have been adopted, apart from a few exceptions which are detailed within the consultation summary report.

The Elections Team have proceeded to implement the agreed changes which were actioned to take effect before the next election in May 2025.

Residents adjacent to the play area (users and non-users), residents living in Abingdon (users and non-users), interested member of the public/individual outside of Abingdon and district, town/parish council representative for their views.

The council is responsible for several play areas across the Vale of White Horse district which are open at all times. The Berrycroft Play Area had been locked for many years between dusk and dawn between Monday and Saturday, and all day on Sunday. We proposed the gates be unlocked at all times. This consultation ran from Tuesday 13 August until 11:59pm on Tuesday 10 September 2024.  

Letters were delivered to 41 properties adjacent to and surrounding Berrycroft Play Area, posters were displayed in and around the play area to inform regular users and the survey was shared with 14 key stakeholders, such as the local town council and ward members. The council also promoted the consultation via the council’s social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, X, Instagram) and via the Nextdoor.

A total of 34 responses were received, with 32 per cent of responses received from residents who identified as ‘adjacent to the play area, and a user’ of the play area.

56 per cent agree with the proposal for Berrycroft Play Area to be open at all times, whilst 32 per cent disagree.

Based on the feedback received, the councils decided to no longer lock the play areas, and Berrycroft play area will be open at all times. We will monitor the situation for any issues raised by this decision. You can view the report of the results here.

Residents adjacent to the play area (users and non-users), residents living in Abingdon (users and non-users), interested member of the public/individual outside of Abingdon and district, town/parish council representative for their views.

The council is responsible for several play areas across the Vale of White Horse district which are open at all times. The Crosslands Drive Recreation Ground had been locked for many years between dusk and dawn between Monday and Saturday, and all day on Sunday. We proposed the gates be unlocked at all times. This consultation ran from Tuesday 13 August until 11:59pm on Tuesday 10 September 2024.

Letters were delivered to 37 properties adjacent to and surrounding Crosslands Drive Recreation Ground, posters were displayed in and around the play area to inform regular users and the survey was shared with 13 key stakeholders, such as the local town council and ward members. The council also promoted the consultation via the council’s social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, X, Instagram) and via the Nextdoor.

A total of 27 responses were received, with 41 per cent of responses received from residents who identified as ‘adjacent to the to the recreational ground, and a user’.

70 per cent agree with the proposal for Crosslands Drive Recreation Ground to be open at all times, whilst 22 per cent disagree.

Based on the feedback received, the councils decided to no longer lock the play areas, and Crosslands Drive Recreation Ground will be open at all times. We will monitor the situation for any issues raised by this decision.  You can view the report of the results here.

Residents in Didcot and the surrounding villages for their views on health and wellbeing, with the aim of getting a better understanding of what additional support may be needed.

We received 1655 responses to our survey. 99 per cent were members of the public, with 80 per cent living in Didcot. Most responses came from Didcot South. 

Getting Around: 82 per cent of people use a car to get around town, while 62 per cent also walk. 

What People Value: Top things residents like about Didcot include:

• Access to local services (30 per cent) 
• Being near family and friends (29 per cent) 
• Green spaces (25 per cent) 
• Community activities (13 per cent) 

Community & Communication:

 31 per cent feel part of a local community (vs. 24 per cent who don’t). 

• 59 per cent don’t feel involved in local decision-making. 
• 44 per cent feel their views aren’t listened to. 
• 42 per cent can find relevant information that benefits them (vs. 25 per cent who can’t). 

Health & Wellbeing: 

• 61 per cent rate their physical health as good; 74 per cent say the same for mental health. 
• 75 per cent say spending time outdoors helps them stay well. 
• Key challenges include motivation (50 per cent), affordability (42 per cent), and lack of local services (34 per cent). 

Loneliness:

 61 per cent rarely or never feel lonely. 

• 32 per cent of people who do feel lonely say that more social activities could help. 

Lifestyle Habits:

• Most don’t smoke or vape (93 per cent), use illegal drugs (98 per cent), or drink excessively (75 per cent). 
• Of those who do smoke, vape, use illegal drugs, or drink excessively, 14 per cent want professional help to quit and 10 per cent would like community support. 

Support for Organisations: 

• Community groups say funding is their biggest challenge (80 per cent). 
• Businesses struggle most with recruiting staff and volunteers (67 per cent) 

The results of the survey were compiled into a report and is available to view here. This report, together with data provided by Public Health at Oxfordshire County Council, will be considered by a new, local Steering Group, which will work to create an Action Plan to address the issues and barriers identified. This report is available to view on th Didcot Garden Town webpage.

The council secured funding to replace or revamp the play equipment in Cotman Close Play Area. We asked for residents adjacent to the play area (users and non-users), residents living in Abingdon, interested members of the public/individuals and district, town/parish council and businesses / organisations for their feedback. The consultation ran for a four- week period from Thursday 11 July until 11.59pm on Thursday 8 August.  

A leaflet was delivered to 83 properties adjacent to the play area, posters were displayed in the park as well as around the play area to inform regular users and a survey was shared with 12 key stakeholders, such as the local town council, ward members and Thameside Primary School. The councils’ Equalities and Arts officers also shared details of the survey with contacts that may have an interest in the topic. Additionally, the consultation was shared via social media and on the Nextdoor app.  

71 responses were received to the consultation, with 58% being from residents that live in Abingdon and are users of the play area, and 27% from residents adjacent to the play area, and a user. 

58% live in Abingdon and are a user of the play area. 

42% feel the range of play equipment provided is poor or very poor, 28% selected poor and 14% selected very poor, 

80% feel the condition of the equipment provided is poor or very poor, 55% selcted poor and 25% selected very poor. 

Other pieces of play equipment residents would like to see in the play area are climbing frame (25%), equipment for toddlers (21%), monkey bars (18%), swings (27%), trampoline (24%), zip wire (14%) and slide (15%). 

Following the close of the consultation, all feedback was carefully reviewed and used to inform the decisions regarding the new play equipment. The full report detailing the results is available to view here. 

Construction of the new play park began in March 2025 and opened to the public in April 2025. The park features nature-themed surface graphics designed to create an inviting atmosphere for visitors of all ages, three types of swings catering to various age groups and abilities, a trampoline, a climbing structure with an integrated slide, a zip wire, a roundabout, and several other engaging play elements. The councils arts officer worked with local school children to design bespoke signage, adding a personal and creative touch to the space. 

Residents living in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, who use the waste services, to provide feedback on the services.

The survey included questions about the waste and recycling collection service, street cleansing, food waste service, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, and bins, as well as actions the councils should focus on.

The survey ran for six weeks until 23 April 2024.

We received 252 responses to the survey.

Some of the key outcomes are below.

• Overall, 86% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the waste and recycling collection service. Respondents were satisfied with the reliability of the service i.e. collecting on the correct date (86%), the state their bins have been returned i.e. not damaged (66%) and how the collection team returned their bins to the correct location (54%).
• 82% use the food waste collection service, while 12% do not and 6% sometimes use it.
• 36% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with street cleanliness and 40% with road sweeping across the districts.
• 62% of respondents didn’t know the following five stages form part of the waste management hierarchy: 1. reduce the number of things we buy, 2. reuse and repair, 3. recycle, 4. energy recovery or incineration and 5. disposal or landfill.

You can view the full survey summary report here.

We have used the survey to form part of our annual report to the Joint Scrutiny Committee on the performance of our waste and street cleansing contract provider, Biffa Municipal. 

In addition, information received is being used to help form our 2025/26 communications plan.  

For comments on the Garsington Neighbourhood Plan that was submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council in February 2023.

In June 2023, a public consultation on the draft plan was carried out. The draft plan, documents and results were published and submitted to an independent examiner.

The examiner issued a Clarification Note which set out initial comments on the submitted plan and areas where further clarification would be helpful. As a result, modifications were proposed to the plan.

South Oxfordshire District Council then invited comments on the significant modifications in February 2024 for a 6-week consultation period.

You can view further information about the consultation on the Garsington Neighbourhood Plan Page.

6 responses were received to the significant modifications consultation.

Click here to view the comments received. 

On 5 September 2024, residents voted on whether they agreed or disagreed with the adoption of the Garsington Neighbourhood Plan. The official results were:

• Votes in favour of adopting the neighbourhood plan (YES vote): 369 (95.6%)
• Votes against adopting the neighbourhood plan (NO vote): 17 (4.4%)
• Turnout: 386 (27.5%)

Garsington Neighbourhood Plan was adopted on 24 October 2024.

For comments on the Beckley and Stowood Parish Neighbourhood Plan that was submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council in February 2023.

In March 2023, a public consultation on the draft plan was carried out.

The draft plan, documents and responses were published and submitted for examination.

The Independent Examiner advised the District Council that a package of modifications was required to the Plan to ensure that it meets the basic conditions.

The district council prepared an updated Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening considering the significant modifications proposed by the independent examiner.

South Oxfordshire District Council then invited comments on the significant modifications in January 2024 for a 6-week consultation period.

You can view further information about the consultation on the Beckley and Stowood Neighbourhood Plan Page.

18 responses were received to the significant modifications consultation.

Click here to view the comments received.

The council determined on 4 July 2024 that the Plan, as modified by the Examiner’s recommendations, should proceed to referendum.

A referendum was held on Thursday 5 September 2024 and 78.3% of those who voted were in favour of the plan.

Beckley and Stowood Neighbourhood Plan was adopted on 24 October 2024.

Members of the public, taxi drivers and proprietors licensed by the district council for their views on a nationally recognised method to calculate taxi tariffs from 31 January until 19 February 2024.

At the request of the trade, we also proposed changing the start time of Tariff 2 from 10pm to 11pm to ensure it remains fair and reasonable for both passengers and hackney carriage proprietors and drivers.

We received a total of 26 responses for Vale of White Horse.

• 65% of respondents represent a driver/proprietor licensed by the district council.
• 35% of responses were received from individuals/members of the public.
• 38% agreed with the proposed Tariff, whilst 27% expressed disagreement.

Once the consultation period concluded, we collated and reviewed all the responses received.

We received 7 objections to the tariff which meant the matter was referred to Cabinet for review. Some of those who disagreed with the tariff did so because they felt it was too high, some felt it was too low. The Cabinet set a tariff with some changes made to the consultation tariff timings to reflect suggestions from the trade association.

Consultation Report and Taxi Fares Webpage

Members of the public, taxi drivers and proprietors licensed by the district council for their views on a nationally recognised method to calculate taxi tariffs from 31 January until 19 February 2024.

At the request of the trade, we also proposed changing the start time of Tariff 2 from 10pm to 11pm to ensure it remains fair and reasonable for both passengers and hackney carriage proprietors and drivers.

We received a total of 53 responses for South Oxfordshire.

• 66% of respondents responded on behalf of a driver/proprietor licensed by the district council.
• 34% of respondents were received from individuals/members of the public.
• 60% of respondents disagreed with the proposed Tariff, whilst 34% did not provide an answer. 6% expressed agreement.

Some of the comments made, for example those members of the public asking why fares were higher on Sundays, shall be considered and explored further during future reviews. 

Once the consultation period concluded, we collated and reviewed all the responses received.

We received 32 objections to the tariff which meant the matter was referred to Cabinet for review. Some of those who disagreed with the tariff did so because they felt it was too high, some felt it was too low. The Cabinet set a tariff with some changes made to the consultation tariff timings to reflect suggestions from the trade association.

Consultation Report and Taxi Fares Webpage

For comments from the public and stakeholders following the submission of the Steventon Neighbourhood Plan Submission to South Oxfordshire District Council from Thursday, 7 December 2023 to 11.59pm on Thursday, 1 February 2024.

You can view further information about the consultation on the Steventon Neighbourhood Plan Page.

9 responses were received to the consultation.

Click here to view the comments received. 

Vale of White Horse District Council appointed an Independent Examiner, to review whether the plan met the basic conditions required by legislation and whether the plan should proceed to referendum.

• The council determined on 1 July 2024 that the Plan, as modified by the Examiner’s recommendations, should proceed to referendum.
• A referendum was held on Thursday 5 September 2024 and 97.3% of those who voted were in favour of the plan.

Steventon Neighbourhood Plan was adopted on 23 October 2024.

For comments from the public and stakeholders following the submission of the Binfield Heath Neighbourhood Plan to South Oxfordshire District Council from Thursday, 7 December 2023 to 11.59pm on Thursday, 25 January 2024.

You can view further information about the consultation on the Binfield Heath Neighbourhood Plan Page.

9 responses were received to the consultation.

Click here to view the comments received. 

South Oxfordshire District Council appointed an Independent Examiner to review whether the plan met the basic conditions required by legislation and whether the plan should proceed to referendum.

• The council determined on 16 July 2024 that the Plan, as modified by the Examiner’s recommendations, should proceed to referendum.
• A referendum was held on Thursday 5 September 2024 and 95.4% of those who voted were in favour of the plan.

Binfield Heath Neighbourhood Plan was adopted on 24 October 2024.