Local News

“The trouble with benchmarking is that it is a ratchet process” by Andy Mitchell, Local Democracy Reporter Councillors in charge at Oxfordshire County Council have been urged to proceed with caution when conducting reviews of executive pay. The warning came during discussion of the authority’s pay policy statement in which the salary of the county’s […]

An appeal for the first application is yet to be heard The developer who wants to build up to 140,000 square metres of commercial property near the small hamlet of Nethercote has submitted a second outline planning application for their scheme – despite an appeal for their first application not yet having been heard. A […]

New CEO gave an “outstanding” interview demonstrating her preparation, passion, and desire for the role A new permanent Chief Executive has been selected for the Trust that oversees the Horton General Hospital.   Professor Meghana Pandit was appointed by the Council of Governors of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust yesterday. Her appointment will come into […]

Available spare seats will still be sold to parents who’s children don’t qualify for free school transport by Andy Mitchell, Local Democracy Reporter Under-fire councillors insist policies on home-to-school transport have not changed despite a recent furore and that work to improve provision is ongoing. Conservative opposition councillors this week said they had been “bombarded” […]

People are urged to donate to reputable charities if they wish to support the homeless Be cautious when donating to beggars as they may be part of an organised crime group – that’s the warning from Cherwell District Council’s Community Safety Team. They say that people have been appearing on the streets pretending to be […]

“It is a basic right for tenants to feel safe in their own homes” Cherwell District Council has welcomed progress in the Renters Reform Bill following the latest House of Commons Committee report.   The council says it supports the report which provides recommendations to improve the private rented sector.    Recommendations include a requirement for […]

Keith Richardson trades as Keith’s Catering Van, at the Hardwick Hill layby A Banbury burger seller has been prosecuted for dishing out side-orders of illegal tobacco from his van. Keith Richardson, 56, of Parsons Piece in Banbury, pleaded guilty to eight offences when he appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court last Friday. Yesterday Richardson was sentenced […]

The county’s portion of the Council Tax will rise by £82 on an average band D property by Andy Mitchell, Local Democracy Reporter The councillor in charge of Oxfordshire County Council’s finances launched a staunch defence of spending plans and called the opposition’s alternatives “casual, careless and callous”. The portion of council tax that goes […]

Organisers say: “This is going to be one MASSIVE party!” Nile Rodgers and Chic are heading to this year’s Cropredy Festival as the Thursday headliner.    The multi-Grammy award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist was confirmed this lunchtime. Nile’s back catalogue includes timeless classics like ‘Le Freak’, ‘Everybody Dance’ and ‘Good Times’.   He’s been one […]

One described Banbury as “booming” but the other claimed wasted cash on a shopping centre in decline A spat on Twitter between two local councillors has led to rival claims about whether the Castle Quay Centre and Waterside development has been a success or failure for the wider town since the shopping centre was purchased […]