Latest news with #OxfordCityCouncil
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Oxford City Council rents out historic buildings to save £210k
A council has agreed to rent out five of its empty Grade II listed buildings as part of a plan to save £210,000 a City Council approved letting the properties on Ship Street and Michael's Street on 125-year leases. It said each have been empty for years because of "considerable dilapidations affecting their structures and consequent difficulties in letting them".The authority said it would help the properties' restorations without it having to pay for the work itself. The Ship Street properties were formally listed in 1954, while the one in St Michael's Street was listed in of them have been used as hostel or student accommodation over recent years. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Update on Oxford parking machine payment scams from police
An update from police has been issued on recent cases of car park pay machine scams at an Oxford city centre car park. Fraudsters have been targeting car park users at Oxford's Worcester Street car park with card skimming devices, taking money from their accounts shortly after the machine is used. The issue was first reported by Oxford City Council, who operate the car park, in June, after three customers reported money taken or attempts for it to be taken from their accounts. READ MORE: Oxford liar jailed after claiming crashed Audi was stolen Thames Valley Police for Oxford have said the city centre neighbourhood team has been paying extra visits to the car park to keep on top of it. A spokesperson said: "The Oxford city central neighbourhood ream have been patrolling in response to reports of skimming devices discovered on contactless payment points across Oxford City Centre, as reported by Oxford City Council. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get: Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app "We urge everyone to be vigilant when using contactless payment points at any pay machines, including those at petrol stations. "Always check the machine before using it and report any suspicious activity to the police immediately." READ MORE: Thames Water drought risk and water shortage warning Card skimming devices are fitted over the card payment point on a machine and can capture card data without the card owner's knowledge, allowing scammers to take funds from the account. The city council earlier said they have reported the incidents to the police and initiated increased inspections on all council-owned pay machines. They've also instructed enforcement officers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity and have made the public aware of the fraud risks.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Oxford City Council reorganisation plan criticised as 'land grab'
Plans to expand Oxford's boundaries to accommodate 40,000 new homes have been described by critics as a "land grab" that could threaten neighbouring villages and the green government proposals to reorganise local government, Oxfordshire could be split into one, two or three unitary authorities.A three-council model, backed by Oxford City Council, would create a Greater Oxford authority and incorporate some nearby villages, including Kidlington, Cumnor and city council said the proposal was the "best option for the whole area". Councillor Tim Bearder, who represents Wheatley on the county council, said residents in the village did "not see themselves as part of Oxford"."We are proud to be part of distinct rural communities with unique histories, identities and traditions," he said."[The proposal] would effectively erase the character of Oxfordshire's villages under a wave of creeping urbanisation."Oxford City Council's open endorsement of these plans as a route to building tens of thousands of homes outside its current boundary exposes what this really is: a land grab."He added that the authority's proposal to "destroy" the green belt was "not only harmful to the environment but also economically incoherent". 'Secure jobs' The city council previously said the plans would allow 40,000 new homes to be built by 2040 to deal with housing demand, while bringing decisions on transport and the green belt closer to authority's leader, Susan Brown, said: "We think our three unitary proposal is the best option for the whole area."This would bring local decisions under one roof and closer to the people they affect."It would also enable us to build more affordable homes, provide new bus connections, protect green spaces and create new, secure jobs for our children and grandchildren."In contrast to the city council, Oxfordshire County Council is backing plans for one authority, which it said would cut costs and keep services district councils are backing plans to create two new authorities: Oxford and Shires Council, and Ridgeway Council – the latter of which would also include West government is expected to make a final decision on local government reorganisation in 2026, with the new councils set to be established in 2028. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Beloved city break destination mulls new tourist tax
Oxford City Council is exploring the introduction of an Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID), often referred to as a " tourist tax", on overnight stays. The proposed scheme would add a surcharge to hotel and college room rates for guests in Oxford. City officials estimate that such a levy could raise up to £10m for additional projects, with a £2 nightly charge potentially funding city improvements. Funds generated by the ABID would be controlled by a dedicated board, independent of Oxford City Council or other government bodies. Similar visitor charges are already in place in other UK cities, including Manchester and Liverpool.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Oxford visitors could face new ‘tourist tax'
Visitors to Oxford could face a new charge on overnight stays, local authorities have announced. Oxford City Council is currently exploring the introduction of an Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) – sometimes referred to as a 'tourist tax' – which would see hotel and college room rates adding a surcharge for guests. City officials are currently discussing how Oxford can 'better manage the effects of tourism while ensuring it remains a vibrant and popular place for residents and visitors'. In addition to an estimated 2,300 hotel rooms, the University of Oxford has approximately 8,000 rooms available to let at various points in the year that could benefit from the scheme. In a statement, authorities suggested that such a levy could unlock up to £10m for additional projects, depending on criteria set by the task groups. More than 32 million people visited the city last year, according to council figures, with tourism supporting about 40,000 jobs. A £2 nightly charge on overnight stays in the city 'could help fund improvements to the city's visitor offer', the council said. According to the council, any funds raised would be controlled by a dedicated ABID board, not Oxford City Council or any other statutory or government body. Local resident, Flora Nelson, is in favour of the proposal. 'Oxford is absolutely overrun with tourists, especially in the summer, which makes getting around the city difficult for residents,' she told The Independent. 'Some suggestions for how the tourist tax could be used? Fix the terrible state of the roads in Oxford, make extortionate public transport cheaper and improve services for homeless people.' Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, cabinet member for planning and culture, said the proposed scheme 'has the potential to unlock a lot of money and make improvements that will benefit everyone'. He said: 'Oxford's accommodation sector plays a vital role in our city's economy. 'Supporting the next stage of this project will give them the opportunity to shape projects and funding streams that work for them.' Manchester introduced a £1 per night visitor charge in April 2023, while Liverpool's began in June, with a £2 nightly charge.
