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Communities 

ONS Data for Oxford 

This week the Office for National Statistics released 2021 Census data about nationality, religion, ethnicity and language. 

In Oxford, data on nationality and ethnicity shows thousands more people now choose British rather than English as their national identity. It also identifies that, after English, Portuguese was the most widely spoken language and that Oxford has a lower proportion of Christian residents  compared to the county and nationally.

The Census data helps us to understand our communities and we use it to make sure our policies meet the needs of a changing population and to tackle inequalities. We want Oxford to be a safe and welcoming city for everyone, so understanding how it is made up is incredibly important. 

You can find more of Oxford's data by hitting the button below. 

Housing

Home Improvement Agency

Have you heard of our Home Improvements Agency (HIA)? They do brilliant work to help people live independently, safely and comfortably in their own homes. 

Poor housing conditions can put people at more risk due to issues like old age, disabilities, health conditions or low income. The HIA can help with adaptions to a home and general household repairs, minor electrical and plumbing works, energy efficiency measures and home safety and security.

Oxford HIA is part-funded by Oxfordshire County Council and the NHS Better Care Fund. We're really pleased that the county council recently agreed to renew its contract for HIA services for three years from 1 April 2022. This vital funding will help to sure that more people can live safely in their own homes.

Our HIA team work hard for clients and recently this hard work has been recognised. The team have been shortlisted in two categories at the National Healthy Housing Awards 2022.

The awards ceremony will take place on 6 December.

Last chance to have a say on Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping strategy 

The consultation on Oxford's Housing, Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28 closes on 8 December so don't miss your chance to have a say. 

The strategy has been developed over the last year and is based on the findings of a comprehensive homelessness review and strategy evidence base that we carried out in spring 2021. It is split into five priority areas: 

• Providing more affordable homes 
• Great homes for all 
• Housing for a net zero carbon future 
• Preventing homelessness and adopting a rapid rehoming response 
• Ending rough sleeping 

Climate Emergency

Planting over 100 trees this tree planting season

It's tree planting season in the UK and we'll be using it to plant over 100 new trees to increase urban tree cover and biodiversity across the city.

In recent years, as a response to the climate emergency, we have planted over 10,000 new trees in the city. This year, as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, we will be adding a further 103 trees across the city.

We've already seen three cherry trees planted at St Giles' War Memorial to mark the 75th anniversary of twinning links between Bonn and Oxford and further trees will be planted at: 

• Cricket Road (which will be known as Jubilee Avenue)
• Cowley Marsh Recreational Ground 
• Margaret Road Recreational Ground 
• Hollow Way Recreational Ground 
• The Barn on Dunnock Way 

The trees will enhance these recreational grounds without impacting sports provision, play areas and open green spaces.

If you're interested in tree planting and want more advice on how to get started yourself, then make sure to check out our new newsletter mini-series, Treemails. You can sign up here or head to your subscriber preferences.   

Economy

Small Business Saturday 

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small businesses and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their area.

We're so lucky that Oxford has a plethora of small businesses throughout the city to cover all of your needs and this weekend (and every weekend) we'd encourage you to check them out. 

Our very own Covered Market is a hub for small, independent businesses. It's also in the running for Britain's Favourite Market 2023 in the Great British Market Awards.

We'd love for all the traders and market staff to be recognised for their hard work, so if you agree that the Covered Market is the best, please do consider voting. 

Voting is open now and you can vote once a day up until the closing date. 

Useful information for Oxford 

Statement on the approval of six trial traffic filters in Oxford

The City Council has long supported the need for measures to tackle congestion such as the proposed trial traffic filters that are designed to reduce traffic levels and congestion, to improve bus services across the city and make cycling and walking safer and more pleasant.

There is an absolute need to reduce traffic in our city. We know that Oxford’s medieval roads cannot handle the current traffic levels, and there is no space to build new roads. The current congestion is so bad that it is making buses unviable, we cannot allow more bus routes to be cut. 30% of Oxford households don’t own a car, and depend on buses. We need to change the way we travel, rethink our own journeys, and support those who do need to travel by public transport, car and bike.

With any scheme of this scale and significance, it is important that residents and businesses are engaged, and that communities are supported throughout. With over 6,000 responses to the consultation, it is clear that this is an issue which many Oxfordshire residents and businesses feel strongly about and needs to be carefully considered.

Over the past few years, the City Council has worked with the County Council on engagement and consultation of measures to support traffic and congestion reduction, such as the Zero Emission Zone Pilot and the trial traffic filters. This has included engagement with large and small businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders so that the challenges they face can be taken into account. From this engagement work, a system of exemptions and permits for particular drivers has been developed so that journeys that have to be made by car, can be, and business vehicles can operate as normal. While this trial is a nudge to change the way we travel, car drivers will still be able to drive to any destination at all times – although you may need to take a different route.

The City Council supports the County Cabinet’s decision to introduce the traffic filters as a trial in order to see how they work in reality, before any final decisions are made by the County Council. We understand the need to delay the introduction until the work on Botley road has been completed.  A trial, rather than a permanent scheme, ensures flexibility and the ability to adjust the measures where necessary in response to any unexpected consequences. We intend to work closely with the County Council on continued preparation, introduction, and monitoring of the traffic filter trial, as well as the ongoing engagement with residents and businesses across Oxford to help everyone adapt to the future of transport.

Are you following us on social media?

Looking for more from Oxford City Council? Make sure you're following us on social media. 

You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and we're now on TikTok too. 

Lord Mayor's Christmas Carol Concert 

The Lord Mayor of Oxford's annual Christmas carol concert is back at Oxford Town Hall for a magical night of festive music, carols and song.  

The concert is on Sunday 18 December 2022 in the Oxford Town Hall, 2.30-4pm.

The event is held as a charity fundraiser, tickets sales and donations from the carol concert will be shared between the Lord Mayor’s chosen causes: Aspire, Asylum Welcome, and Emmaus.

Tickets are on sale now! 

Winter at MoX

Brrrr! It's Winter at MOX!

Don't miss out on our amazing activities this winter!

Under 5s will love Mini MOX, our story-songtime session: in honour of the season, we'll be telling the story of Empress Matilda's escape from Oxford Castle!

Learn all about Christmases of yesteryear in our Christmas At MOX workshop with crafts and object handling, and then join us as we get ready to ring out 2023 with our New Year's workshop!

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