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Work starts on new council homes
Last week, our housing company, Oxford City Housing Ltd (OCHL) started work on a flagship housing development in the city centre.
The plot of land being developed boasts an impressive history. It has been the site of a 13th-century friary, Lucy Faithfull House – supported accommodation founded in the 1970s – and now, in 2021, work has started to build modern, greener homes.
The 36 homes – which will include 15 council homes let at social rent, three homes at affordable rent and eight homes sold on a shared ownership basis – will aim for at least 40% beyond current government carbon reduction targets. This will help the city on its journey to zero carbon for new developments by 2030.
Each flat will have two bike parking spaces and a private garden or balcony, as well as access to communal gardens. Rooftop solar panels will generate up to 40% of the development’s energy use.
Providing settled homes for people experiencing homelessness
We are committing £2m of funding to provide settled homes for people experiencing homelessness in the city. We believe that nobody should experience homelessness in Oxford, but because of changes brought about as part of the Homelessness Reduction Act of 2018 it has been harder for some people with unmet support needs to sustain a roof over their heads.
Our investment in the Resonance National Homelessness Property 2 Fund (NHPF2) will be match-funded by Resonance to help create a £6m fund to buy properties that will house around 47 people with low to medium support needs who are moving on from temporary accommodation, supported housing and the streets.
Housing management and support for tenants will be provided by Response Organisation, an Oxford-based charity that offers a 360° approach to its service users. Providing safe homes and tenant support will help people rebuild their lives and leave the streets behind forever.
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Investing in our leisure centres for a greener future
Public leisure centres in the city are getting a £10.9million investment to cut carbon as part of our plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Ferry Leisure, Barton Leisure, Leys Pool and Leisure and Hinksey Outdoor Pool will all see their gas boilers replaced with heat pumps that transfer heat from the air or water, giving them a more sustainable future.
Our public leisure centres are in the heart of the communities where they are needed, so we're really pleased that this investment will ensure a low-carbon future for them.
The work will be done in phases to try and keep as many services open as we can and each site will keep as many services running as possible to minimise disruption. You can stay up to date with closures on our website or individual centres' websites.
The funding for this work was awarded by the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund.
World Health Organization publishes new Global Air Quality Guidelines
This week the World Health Organization (WHO) published new Global Air Quality Guidelines.
The new guidelines recommend stricter limits on the safe level of air pollutants. We welcome this move and have written to the UK Government to recommend adopting them as a matter of urgency.
The WHO estimates that around 7 million deaths each year are linked to air pollution. This is a terrifying statistic.
In Oxford, we are working hard to address air pollution levels and reduce exposure to toxic air pollutants. Last year, we became the first UK local authority to set out our own voluntary citywide air pollution reduction target in our Air Quality Action Plan.
To achieve it, we are introducing various measures across the city, and working with Oxfordshire County Council to introduce Britain’s first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot in February 2022.
Air pollution is a serious threat to us all, we cannot afford any delay in improving it.
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Supporting Afghan refugees
Many Afghan refugees are currently in unstable, bridge accommodation. We want to help and are committed to supporting them build new lives in the city.
We are working hard to find suitable homes, but to do this we need landlords' support. We are encouraging landlords across the city to consider letting property to help us house refugee families. With a critical shortage of social housing in the city and over 2,000 families on the council house waiting list, we cannot offer council housing to resettle refugees.
We will use funding from the Government’s Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme to find homes for families in the private rented sector, similar to the successful work to support Syrian families under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. Initially, we are looking for up to ten family homes that can be rented at or near the Local Housing Allowance.
There has been overwhelming support from people in Oxford to help those who have fled Afghanistan, and we are determined to play our part on behalf of the whole city. But it takes more than just our commitment – landlords, businesses and communities are also needed to work as partners with the Council and refugee organisations.
If you think you can help, please do get in touch!
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Broad Meadow extended
Yesterday, on World Car Free Day, we announced that Broad Meadow will stay open until 10 October!
The pedestrian-friendly area of Broad Street has been a tremendous success over the summer. It has provided a safe space to meet with friends or enjoy a lunch break and has been home to a fantastic programme of community and arts events. The new extension also means that it will host the annual Arts Market at the beginning of October.
We'd love to know what you think about Broad Meadow. Could you spare a few minutes to fill out this questionnaire? Your views will help us develop outdoor spaces in the future.
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A statement on the shooting in the Russian city of Perm
Earlier this week, our twin city Perm, Russia was shaken by the horror of a university shooting. We send our heartfelt sympathy to the residents.
“An incident like this reminds us that the geographical distance that separates Perm from Oxford is no barrier to our shared sense of horror and grief.
“It was only last year that Oxford celebrated 25 years since we twinned with Perm with a series of shared virtual events. We now join with our friends in the city in mourning those who have been killed and injured in this terrible incident.”
Cllr Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council
You can read the full statement below.
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Free swimming sessions
Free swimming sessions for under-17's are back, thanks to our partnership with Fusion Lifestyle! The offer is available to all under-17's living in the OX1-OX4 area.
Visit Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre, Hinksey Outdoor Pool (April until September), or Leys Pools and Leisure Centre with proof of age and address, and a member of staff will set up a free swim card for you or your child.
You can then find and book free swimming sessions on the Fusion app or individual leisure centres' websites.
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Coronavirus
We know you’ve heard a lot about Covid in the last 18 months, but it's so important to stay up to date with the latest guidance.
As the temperatures begin to drop, we know we will all start to socialise indoors more often. This comes with a higher risk of transmission. There are lots of things you can do to help lower it, including keeping your windows and doors open, and getting vaccinated.
Please help the NHS this winter by understanding the most up to date advice and following it as much as you can
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www.oxford.gov.uk
01865 249811
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