West Oxfordshire District Council scores strong quarter

West Oxfordshire District Council has reported steady gains across its priorities in the third quarter of 2025, from October to December, with strong results in planning, leisure, housing, and customer satisfaction.

Councillor Andy Graham, leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “This has been another strong quarter for the Council.

“Residents are seeing reliable waste collections, high-quality planning decisions, growing leisure participation and record levels of customer satisfaction.

“We are also making real progress on major projects – from regenerating our town centres to decarbonising our leisure centres and investing in community groups and local businesses.”

Regeneration schemes and community investments made headway during the period.

At Marriotts Walk in Witney, new lettings were secured and public realm improvements advanced.

The Salt Cross Area Action Plan was adopted after receipt of the Planning Inspector’s final report.

This marked a major step towards delivering a sustainable, integrated community to tackle climate change and lower energy bills.

At Windrush Leisure Centre, a new low-carbon heating system was installed – a key milestone in the council’s decarbonisation project to reduce emissions from public buildings.

Leisure centre usage climbed to more than 237,000 visits during the quarter, with gym memberships rising from 5,200 to 5,668.

Twenty-two local schemes were supported through the Witney Community Insight Profile grant round.

The council’s Westhive Round 5, which funds community projects through a crowdfunding model, backed 10 new schemes and secured support to continue the approach for another three years.

Shop Front Improvement Grants continued to refresh high streets in market towns.

Plans for the redevelopment of Woodford Way also progressed, targeting new social housing and maintaining free parking in the town.

Frontline services remained robust.

Customer satisfaction reached 97 per cent, while planning performance exceeded national benchmarks.

The council determined 90 per cent of major planning applications and nearly 94 per cent of minor applications within target timeframes.

Councillor Graham said: “Where performance has dipped however small, we are taking clear and focused action.

“Our commitment is to keep improving while continuing to deliver the dependable, high-quality services that residents rightly expect.”

The council delivered 267 affordable homes, well above its target.

Waste collection services remained highly reliable, with missed bin rates lower than target.

Environmental health teams sustained full inspection rates for high-risk food businesses.

Although the report notes consistently strong performance, the council has identified a few areas for targeted improvement and put action plans in place to maintain standards across all operations.

The quarter three performance report reflects the council’s continued efforts to meet the goals set out in its Council Plan.