Oxfordshire councils "disappointed" by Government reorganisation shake-up

• Oxfordshire council leaders have voiced disappointment after the government announced a review of local government reorganisation plans.

Today in Oxfordshire

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The local news that matters this morning

Here's the local news from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.

Oxford Mail · yesterday Oxford plan for block of flats refused as council cites 'overdevelopment' • Oxford City Council has refused plans for a block of eight flats in place of a bungalow in Headington, on the grounds of 'overdevelopment'.

Herald Series - News (Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage) · yesterday Activist ‘plotted paint stunt at Boris Johnson wedding venue’ • An alleged saboteur plotted to spray paint the word “Palestine” on the lawn at former Henley MP Boris Johnson’s Cotswolds wedding reception venue, a court has heard.

Witney Gazette - News (Witney, West Oxfordshire) · yesterday Rick Stein names his favourite restaurant in the world and it's not Cornwall • Celebrity chef Rick Stein has named his favourite restaurant in the whole world, and it's not in his beloved Cornwall.

Herald Series - News (Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage) · 6 days ago Cost of Didcot perimeter road project has risen reveals councillor • Didcot's long-promised Northern Perimeter Road has been delayed again until 2029, with costs for the project increasing, according to a county councillor

Oxford Mail · Local news · yesterday How much do workplace accidents cost UK businesses each year? • Workplace accidents and work-related ill health cost Great Britain an estimated £22.9 billion a year, according to the latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Bicester Advertiser - News (Bicester) · Local news · yesterday Oxfordshire's future hangs in balance following legal advice • Oxfordshire's future now hangs in the balance once again as the government launches a review of local government reorganisation plans following new legal advice.

Witney Gazette - News (Witney, West Oxfordshire) · Local news · yesterday King Charles pushed by Jamaica with slavery reparations petition • A Jamaican government delegation will file a petition on slavery reparations with King Charles III during a visit to London.

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 46 priority public listings from 46 tracked events over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

14 Sep · The Bullingdon + Plush + Cowley Retreat + Black Swan + James Street Tavern25% OFF SUMMER SALE TICKET ULTIMATE OXFORD BROOKES FRESHERS 2026 Official Student Partners with BoohooMAN FREE T-Shirt with Every Ticket! Sold Out 15 years Running!

18 Sep · Holywell Music Room, OX1 3SBCandlelight: Ed Sheeran & Coldplay

19 Sep · O2 Academy OxfordFishies Saturday Special Ft BIG JOHN

21 Sep · The Sheldonian TheatreMarina Hyde: What a Time to Be Alive!

12 Sep · Blackwell's BookshopMiriam Margolyes BOOK SIGNING

14 Sep · Plush OxfordOxford Big Freshers Icebreaker - Presented by FOOTASYLUM - UK Largest Freshers Events - Sold Out 10 Years Running

13 Sep · Various VenuesOxford Freshers 2026 Wristband

15 Sep · Plush OxfordOxford Freshers Welcome Week - ABBA Wonderland - Sold out 10 years running!

13 Sep · Plush OxfordOxford Freshers Welcome Week 2026 - UK Largest Freshers Events - Sold Out 10 Years Running

18 Sep · Examination SchoolsThe Oxford Wine Festival 2026 (Friday Evening)

11 Sep · Folly Bridge, OxfordOxford: Evening Cocktail Cruise - Daily

12 Sep · Wadham CollegeR60: One with the Earth – 60th anniversary of Resurgence

18 Sep · The Ruskin School of ArtRuskin Undergraduate Open Days 2026

12 Sep · New Theatre OxfordSam Campbell Live in Oxford

15 Sep · O2 Academy OxfordTHE FRESHERS RAVE FT DR BANANA

11 Sep · Oxford Town HallThe Music Of Phil Collins - The Candlelight Concert - Oxford Town Hall

19 Sep · Examination SchoolsThe Oxford Wine Festival 2026 (Saturday Afternoon)

19 Sep · Examination SchoolsThe Oxford Wine Festival 2026 (Saturday Evening)

13 Sep · The Bullingdon + Plush + Cowley Retreat + Black Swan + James Street TavernULTIMATE OXFORD BROOKES FRESHERS 2026 Sold Out 15 years Running! FREE T-Shirt with Every Ticket!

12 Sep · O2 Academy OxfordWelcome To Oxford Brookes

8 Sep · Oxfordshire, United KingdomC.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour

8 Sep · Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3PW, United KingdomCretaceous amber - frozen in time

9 Sep · Museum of Oxford, Museum of Oxford, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1BX, United KingdomMuseum of Oxford Walks: Canal, Castle and Convicts

8 Sep · Ashmolean Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, United KingdomAshmolean NOW: Soma Surovi Jannat

8 SepBach to Baby Family Concert in Oxford Summertown

8 Sep · Old Swan & Minster Mill, Minster Mill,, Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire, OX29 0RN, United KingdomBand & Brew at The Old Swan

8 Sep · Ashmolean Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, United KingdomColonial Views of India: Photographs by Eugene Clutterbuck Impey

9 Sep at 17:00CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS

8 Sep · The Slaughters Manor House, The Slaughters Manor House, Copsehill Road,, Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire, GL54 2HP, United KingdomEscape to the Manor for Afternoon Tea

8 Sep · Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon,, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH, United KingdomFour Seasons at Waddesdon Manor

8 Sep · Oxfordshire, United KingdomHarry Potter Highlights Walking Tour

9 Sep · Museum of Oxford, Museum of Oxford, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1BX, United KingdomLunchtime Talk: 'Bartlemas: Oxford's hidden sanctuary'

10 Sep · Oxford Playhouse, Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2LW, United KingdomMike Wozniak: The Bench

8 SepMurder Mystery Adventure

8 SepOxford Ghost Tour

8 Sep at 11:30 · Oxfordshire, United KingdomOxford On Screen Walking Tour

9 Sep · Oxford Playhouse, Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2LW, United KingdomPaul Merton and Suki Webster's Improv Show

8 Sep · Ashmolean Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, United KingdomRoman Oxfordshire Coins Display

8 SepSaturday Boat trips on the Banbury Canal

8 Sep · Sheldonian Theatre, Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AZ, United KingdomSheldonian Guided Tour

11 Sep · Museum of Oxford, Museum of Oxford, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1BX, United KingdomSounds of the City Exhibition Launch

8 Sep · Sudbury House Hotel & Restaurant, 56 London Street,, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7AA, United KingdomSummer at Sudbury House

8 Sep · Westgate Oxford, Westgate Oxford, Queen Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1TR, United KingdomTake part in the FREE Hatter's Hunt at Westgate Oxford

8 Sep · City Sightseeing Oxford Visitor Information Point, City Sightseeing Oxford Visitor Information Point, Queens Lane, 44 - 45 High Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4AP, United KingdomThe Oxford Explorer's Passport Trail

8 Sep at 11:00White Cube at Claydon

10 Sep · North Wall Arts Centre, North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Summertown,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 7JN, United KingdomWoodhill

Resident pulse

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Did you know? · Oxfordshire

Victorian poet Matthew Arnold coined Oxford's enduring nickname, the 'city of dreaming spires', in his poem Thyrsis.

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