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Housing

Assessing the city's housing need for the Local Plan 2040 

According to the joint housing and employment needs assessment (HENA), commissioned in partnership with Cherwell District Council, Oxford will need 1,322 new homes and Cherwell will need 1,009 new homes each year between 2020 and 2040.

Damp and mould advice

Everyone deserves a decent home free from damp and mould. If your home does have damp or mould, please don’t suffer in silence. We’re here to help.

Untreated damp and mould can pose a serious health risk. It can lead to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system and have a negative impact on people’s mental health.

We're writing to all of our 8,000 tenants asking them to report damp and mould in their home. No matter who your landlord is if you're living with damp or mould please report the issues. 

We have created a web page for all Oxford residents which explains:

• the types and causes of damp
• how people may be able to take steps to reduce condensation in their home
• how to get rid of mould
• how to get help dealing with damp and mould

Bertie Place 

Earlier today, our housing company, OX Place, and youth services, Oxford Youth Ambition, were at Bertie Place recreation ground to gather views on the design of new play facilities.

The new play facilities are part of plans to build 31 new affordable homes on the Bertie Place recreation ground. Twenty-two of the new homes will be council homes let at genuinely affordable social rent and nine sold for shared ownership.

OX Place want to make sure they get this right so are looking for the views of children and teenagers who use the recreation ground to find out what they’d like to see in its place.

Climate Emergency

Misinformation

At the end of last year, we shared our joint statement with Oxfordshire County Council on Oxford's traffic filters, 15-minute neighbourhoods and the misinformation that was circulating online, resulting in abuse directed at councillors and staff at both councils. Since then, the misinformation has continued to circulate.

We understand people are concerned about the traffic filters and 15-minute neighbourhoods because of this misinformation. You can find all the information on Oxfordshire County Council's website or in one of the various independent fact-checkers below.

• Fact Check-Oxfordshire County Council to trial congestion-reducing traffic filters, not a ‘climate lockdown’ that stops residents leaving neighbourhoods
• Fact check: False claim UK city will test 'climate lockdowns' in 2024
• UK county council approved traffic scheme, not 'climate lockdown trial' for 2024
• No, a traffic management plan is not a ‘climate lockdown’ to confine people to their neighborhoods
• Oxford traffic scheme won’t ‘confine’ residents to specific neighbourhoods
• Oxford traffic filters explained after conspirationists attack council
• False climate lockdown claims in Oxford lead to death threats

Communities 

Showing support for Ukraine, one year on

As we approach one year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office ant to compile as many of these symbols of solidarity as we can and showcase them to the world.

They're asking for you to send photos of Ukrainian flags from around the UK to show our support. 

We know there are many flags proudly flying around Oxford, so if you would like to participate please head over to their Facebook post for more information. 

Economy

“Jewel in Oxford’s Crown” will shine even brighter

Markets across the country, such as Brixton and Altrincham, have evolved into places where people meet to socialise as well as shop. Now it’s Oxford’s turn.

The growth in online shopping has meant that town and city centres as well as markets have to offer consumers something different, to tempt them off the sofa and into the marketplace.

Oxford City Council recently approved almost £7m on a ‘masterplan’ to revitalise and secure the long-term prosperity of Oxford’s historic Covered Market.

The Market Street entrance will be transformed, creating a new pedestrianised area where people can sit, socialise and enjoy the market’s food and drinks. It will also see more accessible entrances and toilets, including removal of a step at the Market Street entrance and better lighting throughout the building.

The masterplan’s proposed changes provide an opportunity to create a new type of outdoor space in Oxford and we’re also planning a new and larger communal area inside the market for people to socialise and listen to live music and performances.

This follows the successful introduction of outdoor seating areas across Oxford, which now includes more than 100 hospitality businesses, including in St Michael’s Street, Cornmarket and North Parade.

We’re planning to open the Covered Market into the evening.

A recent consultation found the majority of respondents, including traders and residents, favour later opening hours.

We’re hoping to work with traders on an events strategy to support this, as people also told us they’d like to see trader-led events such as tastings or ‘meet the trader’ talks, music, comedy and film screenings.

The Covered Market has a strong foundation from which we can build. Our wonderful historic market dates back to the 1770s and we want to highlight its wonderful buildings while making sure we continue to evolve to meet current needs and demands. We have a leasing strategy that helps us balance out different types of businesses and tenants, a mix of fresh food, retail and hospitality.  

The current array of traders offer the widest-ever selection of specialist artisan produce, café’s, bars, gifts, experiences, fashion and lifestyle products. And four exciting new businesses recently opened – Rozana, A Woollen Cosy Life, Soctopus and Tap Social.

The City Council’s aim is to create a thriving market that attracts a wide range of people – shoppers, visitors and workers – throughout the day and into the evening.

But we also use the market to foster new entrepreneurs, with the idea of providing a middle ground between Gloucester Green market stall and city centre shops. With this in mind, rent per square metre is about a fifth of city centre shops and we are splitting larger units so they are below business rate thresholds.

Our renovation will see the Covered Market evolve into an even better place to visit and spend time, a fantastic place to grow your business, and it will continue to be the brightest jewel in Oxford’s crown.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, originally published in The Oxford Mail. 

Useful information for Oxford 

By taking part in surveys and questionnaires, you can help shape the city's future, services and facilities.

Oxfordshire County Council

Oxfordshire County Council 

Support for our young people

The Oxfordshire Targeted Youth Support Service works closely with a young person to support them to build life skills, develop healthy relationships and to make decisions that are right for them.

Have you got an under five? 

A child's early experiences influence the development of important life skills. They often impact how well a child will do not only in school, but in adult life too.

The Covered Market launches newsletter

Lord Mayor of Oxford's quiz night 

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