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Backing Oxford's busesÂ
We are writing to the Government voicing our serious concerns about their planned withdrawal of Covid-19 related funding support for local bus services. We are asking that it continues all necessary funding to maintain services until the end of March 2023 to give time for wider measures to improve services, cut journey times and reduce emissions.
Bus travel is an important way of getting around the city, and we're very concerned that a cut in Government funding at this moment could lead to the reduction or withdrawal of several routes. This could cause major issues for commuters and employers.
Historically Oxford has had the highest level of bus users of any city nationally, relative to the size of its population. Cuts in services could slow economic recovery in Oxford, which could have regional and national impacts.
We support the interests of the people of Oxford and our major employers, and we will continue to work with the County Council and bus service providers to tackle their challenges.
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Bathing Water application
We're delighted to announce that Oxford has reached the next stage of application for designated Bathing Water status.
The application was submitted by Oxford Rivers Project - a partnership project involving Oxford City Council, environmental charity Thames21, The Rivers Trust and Thames Water. If successful, the site will be only the second river swimming area in the UK, after the River Wharfe at Ilkley, to receive official Government designation.
We hope that the designation will make it safer for swimmers and other river users as water quality will be regularly monitored by the Environment Agency. It should also lead to a reduction in the number of raw sewage discharges upstream of the site.
DEFRA has launched a national public consultation on the designation for the River Thames at Wolvercote Mill Stream and we urge you to take part at the link below.
ZEZ launches later this monthÂ
We've been preparing for the launch of Oxford's Zero Emission Zone for four years, so - as we announced in the last newsletter - we're excited that we can officially say that it's launching this month!Â
The ZEZ pilot will launch in a small number of streets in the city centre and will operate from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week, all year round.Â
Discounts and exemptions are available and the system to register for these is already open. Charges to enter the zone will come into effect from 28 February 2022 and from that date, you will be able to pay the charges online on the county council website.
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Marking LGBT+ History MonthÂ
Throughout February, we'll be flying the Pride flag from the Town Hall and encouraging events happening in the city to mark LGBT+ History Month.Â
LGBT+ History Month is an important opportunity to celebrate how LGBTQ+ people in Oxford have lived diverse and inspiring lives, and the part they have played in greater legal rights for the community.Â
The Museum of Oxford will be focusing on local LGBTQ+ history, with elements of Queering Spires, the 2019 exhibition on the past and present LGBTQ+ spaces in Oxford, displayed again, and several related events happening at the museum in February and March.
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Grenoble Road
Plans for a major development including nearly 3,000 new homes to the south of the city took a step forward after their approval by cabinet on Wednesday.
In October, cabinet confirmed its intention to work with fellow landowners Magdalen College and Thames Water to develop an area of land south of Grenoble Road. With initial agreement on key principles and procuring a master developer in place, the three landowners have now agreed to set up a limited liability partnership (LLP) as the best way of delivering the proposed development – known as South Oxfordshire Science Village (SOSV).
We already have an LLP with Grosvenor Britain & Ireland for the building of 885 homes at Barton Park. The benefit of this approach is that members of the LLP will be able to own and operate it flexibly, and it will also mean that taxes fall on profits generated by the LLP rather than on the partnership itself.
The three landowners aim to complete the drafting of the LLP agreement by the end of this month.
Cabinet has also agreed £1.056m to fund staff and consultancy costs for three years from 2022/23. This includes a £0.5m loan to cover the operating costs of the nascent LLP.
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Grants available for Oxford businesses hit by Omicron
Government business grants - up to £6,000 - are available for hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses impacted by Omicron restrictions.Â
The aim of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme is to support businesses:
- that offer in-person services
- where the main service and activity takes place in a fixed rate-paying premises
- in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors
We want to do everything we can to support our wonderful local businesses and this fund may help them recover from the loss of trade caused by Omicron. The funding that has been made available has to be used within the financial year 2021/ 2022, so we would encourage businesses to check their eligibility and apply as soon as possible.
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Thank you to frontline staff
Council and NHS leaders in Oxfordshire are taking the opportunity to thank staff across local authorities and the health and social care system for their tireless efforts throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has led to profound and far-reaching changes to the way we all work and access services, with staff across the NHS and local authorities working in partnership to rapidly start up new services, and deliver services in new ways.
We want to say a massive thank you to everyone that has helped to keep the city moving through the past two years.Â
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Apprenticeship weekÂ
It’s National Apprenticeship Week so we want to highlight the wonderful work that ODS does with apprentices.
Since 2017 ODS have delivered 29 apprenticeships, building their own talent pool, supporting local employment, increasing workforce diversity, and helping to develop employees.
Their Streetscene Manager, Andy, has been nominated for Rising Star in the Apprentice of the Year awards, and another apprentice, Highways Estimator Kirstén, is completing a Civil Engineering Site Technician qualification this year.
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