Oxford Direct Services ready to cover ‘Greater Oxford’

Greater Oxford, the new authority for Oxford and surrounding villages and Kidlington, will come into effect from April 2028 as part of local government reorganisation.

It will make redundant the current legacy councils, including Oxford City Council and Oxford County Council.

It also means change for Oxford City Council’s in-house company Oxford Direct Services (ODS) that handles waste collection, property repairs and grounds maintenance.

All the services it offers typically within the boundaries of the city council will have to be done for the surrounding villages and Kidlington once under Greater Oxford.

ODS does bin collections in Oxford (Image: Oxford City Council)

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Simon Howick, managing director of ODS, told this newspaper that the company would be “well placed” to cover its expanded territory.

He said: “On behalf of the new unitary authority, ODS would be extremely well placed to cover a greater area which would mean recruiting additional staff and taking on more vehicles and equipment.

“However this will be a decision for the new council as part of the work to implement the new arrangements.

“ODS and colleagues from the existing councils will support that work over the coming months.”

Mr Howick added that ODS is expected to be under control of Greater Oxford as its shareholder from 2028, from its current single shareholder the city council.

However, this would be confirmed after a new shadow authority is elected in 2027; Labour is currently in control with the surrounding villages in the Vale, South Oxfordshire and Cherwell being generally Lib Dem areas.

He added: “The government has chosen the option that will mean the least change and the most opportunity for ODS colleagues.

“ODS are looking at the decision positively and believe the new councils will be in a strong position to continue to prioritise ODS, so the company can maintain its focus on delivering excellent services for residents and businesses, whether commercial or public sector.”

In 2024/25, ODS directly employed 539 full-time equivalent staff and generated £33.3 million in Gross Value Added.

Nearly 90 per cent of its workforce lives in Oxford or the wider Oxfordshire area.

ODS delivers specialist services across waste and recycling, grounds maintenance, property and facilities management, highways maintenance and fleet services.

Together, these services support more than 1,400 businesses and 60,000 households in and around Oxford.

A recent independent economic impact assessment found that ODS made a £69 million contribution to the UK economy in 2024/25.

Nigel Chapman, cabinet member for council companies, said previously: “ODS not only provides essential frontline services for residents and businesses, but also creates jobs, strengthens local supply chains and keeps investment rooted in Oxford and Oxfordshire.

“The scale of the economic contribution highlighted in this report shows the real value of a strong, locally based organisation doing good for our city.”