A Congestion Commission which aims to allow more people to have their say on traffic management policies across the county could be created, as the council is set to debate the motion.

The commission would allow local businesspeople, public sector leaders from the council’s health, education and blue light partners, elected members and academics with relevant expertise in the field to assess the effectiveness of transport measures.

Conservative councillor Eddie Reeves, leader of the opposition, put forward the motion to be debated at today’s full county council meeting (Tuesday, November 4).

This comes as Oxfordshire County Council plan to roll out several measures to prevent congestion in the city, including expanding the Zero Emissions Zone and introducing more traffic filters.

The aim of these initiatives is to reduce car trips, encourage the use of active travel such as walking and cycling, and help lower emissions.

These measures have been factored into the council’s budget and will take place unless there is a change in administration in next years’ election.

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Mr Reeves said: “It’s time for us to come together and tackle Oxford’s congestion problem in a sensible, pro-business way, using the wealth of expertise across our city.

“For years, officials in County Hall have dictated solutions to Oxford, whose business owners, university staff and public sectors workers have been crying out for a meaningful voice.

“Conservative councillors and I have been pushing the idea of a Congestion Commission since January to bring more people into the conversation.

“Restrictive camera-controlled bus filters allied to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and eye-watering car parking charges will not solve the problem.

“They will only drive commuters and shoppers elsewhere.

“With the finest minds in the world in our city, we can surely do better, if only councillors would ask.”

The motion notes that over the course of five years, Oxfordshire motorists could be fined £57 million over the course of five years.

This breaks down to £25 million from expanding the Zero Emissions Zone, £21 million in workplace parking tax and £11 million from traffic filters.

It also states that the group’s purpose “is not to water down or frustrate the administration’s policies” but to “assess the likely effectiveness of such measures and advise as to whether other measures might be given effect after next year’s local elections”.

The council considered setting up a Congestion Commission as part of its last budget debate, but this was not put in place at the time.

If passed, the motion will go to the executive of the county council before it can be enacted.

Ways of tackling hunger in Oxford have been discussed by a group of more than 50 residents, policymakers, and community leaders.

The discussions took place on Friday, October 17, at the Feeding Oxford: Ensuring Dignity and Access Amid Rising Costs event during Challenge Poverty Week.

The event aimed to find community-led actions to combat hunger and food insecurity in the city.

Community researchers Hassan Sabrie and Mujahid Hamidi, supported by Healthwatch Oxfordshire, collaborated with their OX4 Food Crew partners to survey 166 residents who rely on food parcels and free meals.

They aimed to gain a better understanding of the impact of rising living costs and the root causes driving people to rely on community food support.

They shared a short film at the Rose Hill Community Centre event, highlighting their work, and provided updates on steps taken since the report's publication in July this year.

The Agnes Smith Advice Centre now offers weekly advice services at Oxford Community Action’s pop-up Wednesday food bank.

Oxford Community Action also announced plans to pilot a community-led social supermarket over the next six months alongside their Wednesday food bank to provide affordable and culturally relevant staple foods to their communities.

In partnership with Oxfordshire CAG and Active Oxfordshire, Oxford Community Action has also launched community growing projects in Blackbird Leys and east Oxford.

Oxford Mutual Aid has been working to strengthen the partnership’s food sourcing through bulk purchasing trials.

Waste2Taste has been working with Oxford City Farm to develop culturally diverse, budget-friendly recipe cards using common ingredients, to share across community food services.

The OX4 Food Crew has also collectively developed accessible online and print resources to help volunteers and staff signpost residents toward wider financial and holistic support.

Participants at the event, including community members and representatives from local authorities, health providers, and commissioners, held in-depth discussions on collaboration, improving service accessibility, funding sustainability, food supply, and the stigma associated with accessing food aid.

A follow-up event in early December will be held online, welcoming both attendees and other interested stakeholders to continue these discussions.

Dr Veronica Barry, executive director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, said: "It was such a great event, which really shows the power of community research, not only to hear from communities and bring people together, but also to make things happen.

"It clearly highlighted people’s experiences of the cost of living challenges.

"I’d like to thank all who came and shared their ideas, and I’m looking forward to keeping these crucial conversations going to bring about more practical and collaborative change."

DES Buckingham sees Swansea City as a good model when it comes to building an identity at Oxford United.

The Swans have become synonymous with a brand of possession-based football over the last 15 years or so, with promotion and then seven seasons in the Premier League a highlight.

Roberto Martinez took charge as manager in February 2007 and oversaw a change in playing style which yielded immediate results.

After finishing seventh in the third tier at the end of the 2006/07 season, Martinez led the Swans to the League One title the following campaign.

READ ALSO: Six key players to watch out for against Swansea City

Brendan Rodgers was the man who guided the Swans to the Premier League, doing so via the play-offs in the 2010/11 campaign.

Rodgers’ successor Michael Laudrup lifted the League Cup while in charge of the Swans, who retained their Premier League status up until May 2018.

Current Leicester City manager Steve Cooper guided the Swans to the Sky Bet Championship play-offs in 2020 and 2021, but were beaten by Brentford in the semi-finals and then the final respectively.

Luke Williams is the latest Swans boss to maintain the possession-based football, and the team’s average share of possession (61 per cent) is the highest in the Championship this season.

U’s head coach Buckingham said: “I like the club because even when I was a youth coach here or a reserve team coach, whenever you went to Swansea, whether you played their Under-9s, their Under-12s, their Under-15s, their Under-18s, or their first team, they were really clear.

“When I talk about us having an identity, they really have one. I think that really helps in terms of recruitment for their players, but also helps them recruit for a manager, and in Luke’s case, a manager which suits the club rather than a manager coming in and changing everything.

“They’ve got that identity, which is drip-fed throughout their club, and it’s something we’re trying to establish here.

“We feel we’ve got it to a space in the first team, and it’s now trying to replicate that through the club.”

The Swans though are struggling for goals at the moment, going the whole of October without finding the net.

Buckingham said: “Let’s hope that extends for another 95 or 96 minutes, whatever it may be. That won’t stay the same for much longer, things change very quickly, so we’ll be aware of that.

“They’ve got some real threats across not just their front line, but certainly in midfield.”

Although scoring goals has proven difficult recently, only Burnley, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion have a tighter defence in the Championship.

Buckingham said: “We’ve got different ways that we’ll try and break teams down, and whatever players take to the field, we’re confident that we can hopefully find the back of the net and take a lot more of the chances that we’re creating.”

Developers behind plans for a new community centre in a major city project have released a new image of what it could look like.

The Peabody housing association has submitted a detailed planning application for the new Blackbird Leys Community Centre to the Oxford City Council following extensive consultation with local residents.

The developers have now unveiled a new CGI of what the development could look like.

In October last year, planning consent for the community centre was granted in ‘outline’ as part of the wider Blackbird Leys redevelopment.

Since then, the local community has been feeding into the plans, sharing their views on what they would like to see from the new community centre and public space surrounding it.

READ MORE: Major plans lodged for new primary school near Didcot

The application has been submitted by Peabody, the not-for-profit housing association, with the centre to be owned by the city council.

The application is expected to go before the planning committee in spring next year.

If approved, the community centre will be built as part of the first phase of the regeneration project, which will also see 196 new affordable homes built.

With a variety of office spaces, communal seating areas and three large halls, the new community centre is expected to cater for up to 800 people. Plans for the public space include a number of play areas, a rain garden and accessible trampoline.

The public space will also feature art murals, with the opportunity for residents to get involved in their creation following the planning decision.

If approved, construction is expected to begin quickly.

Simon Barry, regional managing director at Peabody, said: “We’ve talked to many residents and know how important this community centre is to everyone.

"We want it to be a place that offers great facilities and fun activities for all, while being a well-designed space where people can enjoy spending time with friends, family, and others in the community.

"Thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts and ideas, and we're looking forward to making these plans a reality."

Linda Smith, Oxford City Council's cabinet member for housing, said: “This community centre will become the new beating heart of Blackbird Leys – a place for people to come together and for the community to grow stronger.

“The building will be a modern, flexible, welcoming space for all residents – whether they are seeking advice and support, looking to learn something new, enjoy a regular activity or celebrate and have a good time.

"Every element has been shaped by residents throughout the design process, it will be a centre residents can be proud of, and I can’t wait to see the positive impact it will start to create when it opens."

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About the author

Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government.

He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years.

Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby

Chewing gum has been removed from Oxford's city centre streets following the award of a £26,500 grant.

The clean-up was carried out by ODS on behalf of Oxford City Council with funding from the Chewing Gum Task Force.

Having begun in the summer, it targeted key city centre streets which experience high footfall, including George Street, New Inn Hall Street, Carfax, Queens Street, parts of St Ebbes, High Street, and St Aldates down to Christchurch Meadows.

The project also involved a deep-clean of the pavements and steam-cleaning of street furniture.

Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, cabinet member for business, culture, and an inclusive economy, said: "I’m pleased to see our city centre streets gum-free thanks to the hard work of ODS - a big thank you to them.

Councillor Alex Hollingsworth (Image: Jon Lewis) "The team's hard work over the past few months, starting early and adapting around large events and extreme weather conditions, doesn't go unnoticed.

"I hope the clean streets and new disposal guidance will inspire people to keep the streets tidy by properly disposing of their gum in the future."

The ODS street cleaning team worked early mornings to minimise disruption, adapting their schedule to work around extreme weather conditions and major events, such as St Giles’ Fair and the Oxford Half Marathon.

The process of removing the gum is both time and labour intensive, and in the worst affected areas it took up to 30 minutes to clean just 1.5 square metres, which was then followed by a mechanical sweeper to eliminate any stains left by the gum.

The council said no chemicals were used during the clean-up to keep "in line" with its "commitment to sustainability".

ODS completed the work using a repurposed 1973 electric milk float, named Earnie.

Adrian Moss, city centre and streetscenes service manager at ODS, said: "We're thrilled to be working on behalf of Oxford City Council, which received the Chewing Gum Task Force grant from Keep Britain Tidy for a second consecutive year.

"The funding helps improve the appearance of our historic streets and supports the city’s sustainability goals, using our repurposed electric milk float.

"Chewing gum litter affects the beauty and accessibility of Oxford, and last year's clean-up showed promising results.

"We're committed to working with the council to make a lasting impact and keep our city clean for everyone."

The £26,500 grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force was administered by Keep Britain Tidy.

The funding supports both the immediate clean-up and long-term behaviour change to reduce future gum littering.

Educational materials have been distributed to promote proper gum disposal and assist in maintaining the cleanliness of Oxford’s streets.

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