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Celebrating 250 years of Oxford’s historic Covered Market 🎉🍪🍜💐
It’s an exciting year for Oxford, as we celebrate 250 years of The Covered Market!
The market, which first opened on 1 November 1774, is one of the oldest continually operating markets in the country – and older than the modern bicycle.
To highlight the special anniversary, we have collaborated with local designer Big Top Design to create special edition branding, which is displayed throughout the market and on the collectable 250th tote bags.
We are also working with traders on a series of celebrations throughout 2024, including:
Other highlights include:
• a special anniversary edition of the popular Easter Egg Hunt
• a May Morning event, in collaboration with The Market Tap by Tap Social 🥳
• a birthday event to coincide with this year's Oxford Open Doors
• a ceremonial cake cutting to mark the anniversary of opening day – 1 November
The events will showcase the market's evolution over its 250-year history and lay the foundation for a thriving future, attracting new visitors from far and wide! ✨
More events are still to be announced. You can stay up to date with everything that is happening by visiting the Covered Market’s website.
Oxford Living Wage 🙌
February is now Oxford Living Wage Month!
Did you know 80% of employers reported improved staff quality, loyalty and reduced absenteeism when they adopted a living wage?
Maybe you own a business or work in a role that could introduce the Oxford Living Wage at your workplace? If you’re interested, then head over to the Oxford Living Wage page or fill in this short form, if you meet the criteria, one of the team will reach out to you!
From 1 April, the Oxford Living Wage will increase to £12.49. Last week, we mistakenly shared the wrong amount, and we apologise for any confusion this caused.
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Happy Lunar New Year this weekend! 🐉🎉
Oxford will celebrate the Lunar New Year taking place TOMORROW Saturday 10 February, with several wonderful festivities across the city. 🎉
The Oxfordshire Chinese Community & Advice Centre is excited to host its 32nd Lunar New Year event, to welcome the Year of the Dragon. The festivities will take place from 12:00pm to 15:30pm on Sunday, 18 February at the Oxford Town Hall.
Tickets are on sale now at the Meeting Room, St Clement’s Family Centre, Cross St, OX4 1DA (Monday, between 13:15pm and 15.45pm).
We would like to wish everyone celebrating a very Happy New Year! 🎇
Blackbird Leys paves the way for community spirit
Work starting on 300 affordable homes, new shops and a new community centre means Blackbird Leys has been in the spotlight recently.
Earlier this week, Councillor Linda Smith took the Oxford Mail's Noor , Noor Qurashi on a tour of the estate, where she met council officers, representatives from developer Peabody and contractor Hill, and local community groups.
Blackbird Leys is sometimes unfairly criticised, but people who live and work there will tell you it has the best community spirit of any area in Oxford.
And there’s so much going on!
You can read Noor’s stories in the Oxford Mail this week to find out about:
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Bridges Cross development: from start to finish 🏠
Bridges Cross in Speedwell Street is our housing company OX Place’s latest development, completed in November.
Its 38 new homes include 18 council homes and eight shared ownership homes helping people onto the housing ladder. 🤩
We’ve been through our picture library and put together a short video showing the site’s development – from archaeological excavations and work starting in 2021, right through to new homes ready for people to move into last year.
Just hit the play button to watch the video on YouTube.
We’re committed to providing more affordable homes and nearly three-quarters of the homes at Bridges Cross are affordable! 🏠🎉
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Guidance on retrofitting your home ♻️
Are you considering retrofitting your home but feel overwhelmed about where to start?
From heat pumps, solar panels, loft insulation, wall insulation, and more – there are many different options depending on the type of home you live in to help reduce your energy costs and carbon footprint. ✅✨
With so much information out there, we know it can seem complicated. So, we created a dedicated webpage to help explain the basics of retrofitting, which measures might be suitable for you, and the support that is available to help in Oxford.
Whether you are at the start of your retrofitting journey, or are looking for more information about support, check out our helpful guide.
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It's National Apprenticeship Week! 👩💼👷
National Apprenticeship Week is here, and at ODS, we are thrilled to be part of this nationwide celebration. 🌟
ODS, Oxford City Council’s wholly owned service provider, is embracing innovation and inclusivity in their apprenticeship programme.
From 5 - 11 February, we join hands with apprentices, employers, and communities across the country to recognise the incredible impact apprenticeships have on our economy. 
ODS are proud to embrace innovation and inclusivity within their apprenticeship programme. This National Apprenticeship Week, we're eager to highlight our dedication to breaking the mould.
There are currently has 14 apprentices with ODS, many of whom come from Oxford, and ranging in age from 18 to 49. The program is designed to offer a dynamic path for career advancement, providing apprentices with the opportunity to tackle real-world job tasks, practical work experience, and pursue professional certifications. 💪🌟
Keep a look out as we'll be welcoming new participants to our apprenticeship scheme this summer. There is more information below or you can email odsapprenticeships@odsgroup.co.uk.
Consultations
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OCC Website Refresh
Over recent weeks, we’ve carried out a range of work to improve our website, including:
- upgrading the look and structure of the site
- reducing the overall number of pages and documents
- making accessibility improvements
Over the Christmas period, we asked our Residents’ Panel for their views on an earlier draft of the website, and their comments have fed into the changes we’ve made.
We’re now looking for feedback from the wider public.
This consultation ends on 29 February 2024.
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Corporate Strategy 2024-28
Last month we published our draft Corporate Strategy 2024-28.
The draft strategy sets out our plans over the next four years across our five priorities:
- Good, affordable homes
- Strong, fair economy
- Thriving communities
- Zero carbon Oxford
- A well-run council
We've worked with local partners, organisations, community groups and businesses to develop the strategy, but now we want to hear your thoughts.
This consultation ends on 21 March 2024.
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Oxfordshire reigns in first place of national cycling competition for 10 years 🎉
For the 10th year in a row, residents in Oxfordshire are the best in England for recycling, reusing, and composting. 🤩🎉
Oxfordshire County Council has again been named the top performing county council waste disposal authority. In 2022/23, residents recycled, reused, or composted 57.2 per cent of their household waste, according to the latest government figures.
The total amount of household waste produced in Oxfordshire was 278,857 tonnes for 2022/23, with 159,732 tonnes being reused, recycled and composted.
Along with the county council, the city and district councils make up the Oxfordshire Resources and Waste Partnership (ORWP) – a collaborative partnership, which works together to improve recycling and waste management services for residents.
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Free activities in Blackbird Leys TOMORROW 🌟
Ahead of half-term next week, there will be free activities in Blackbird Leys this Saturday!
There will be mural painting taking place at the Blackbird Leys Community Centre, roller skating and music at Fry's Hill Park and food and workshops at The Barn.
The event will run from 12pm to 3.30pm. 🎉
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Oxford to Zero newsletter coming soon!
Would you like to stay up to date on the latest climate news in Oxford? Then we have good news for you – our new 'Oxford to Zero' newsletter is launching soon! 🤩
The newsletter will keep you updated on the progress we are making towards our net zero goals, including reducing carbon emissions, boosting biodiversity and more. 💪
We will also share information about how you can get involved in Oxford, with tips from Climate Action Oxfordshire.
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Stay Connected:
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@OxfordCityCouncil
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@OxfordCity
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@oxfordcitycouncil
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