PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
Oxfordshire County Council
South Oxfordshire District Council
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have launched a public survey on proposals to reduce the minimum timeframe to charge a council tax premium on long-term empty properties.
Currently, the councils allow a maximum duration of up to two years for a domestic property to remain unoccupied and substantially unfurnished before an additional, long-term empty council tax ‘premium’ charge is incurred, on top of the normal full 100 per cent charge.
Recent changes in council tax legislation now allow councils to reduce this minimum timeframe from two years to just one year. If this change is adopted, a new policy on long-term empty properties would come into effect from 1 April 2026 – to allow sufficient time for empty property owners to plan or adjust their plans accordingly.
The long-term aim of the proposal is to see as many homes brought back into use as soon as possible.
You can have your say via a link to the survey online here: This survey is open for six weeks and will close at 11.59pm on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
Currently, the councils allow a maximum duration of up to two years for a domestic property to remain unoccupied and substantially unfurnished before an additional, long-term empty council tax ‘premium’ charge is incurred, on top of the normal full 100 per cent charge.
Recent changes in council tax legislation now allow councils to reduce this minimum timeframe from two years to just one year. If this change is adopted, a new policy on long-term empty properties would come into effect from 1 April 2026 – to allow sufficient time for empty property owners to plan or adjust their plans accordingly.
The long-term aim of the proposal is to see as many homes brought back into use as soon as possible.
You can have your say via a link to the survey online here: This survey is open for six weeks and will close at 11.59pm on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
Healthwatch Oxfordshire
What do you think our priorities should be for 2025-2026?We would like to hear your views on what areas of health and social care you think we should focus our work on over the next year. We’d also like your ideas on topics for our public health and care webinars, and your feedback on how you think we are doing.
Please share your thoughts with us by completing this short, anonymous survey.
What we hear will inform our work plans for 2025-26 and also ensure we give the best possible service to people in Oxfordshire.
If you would like a copy of this survey in another format or language, or would prefer to speak to someone about this, please contact us on 01865 520520 or [email protected]
Please share your thoughts with us by completing this short, anonymous survey.
What we hear will inform our work plans for 2025-26 and also ensure we give the best possible service to people in Oxfordshire.
If you would like a copy of this survey in another format or language, or would prefer to speak to someone about this, please contact us on 01865 520520 or [email protected]
Want to make a difference? Join us as a trustee!
We are looking for new volunteers to join our board of trustees. Becoming a trustee offers a real opportunity to make a difference to health and social care services locally. This is what one of our current trustees says about the role:
"I love being able to gain a deeper understanding of health and social care across the county, to celebrate what is being done well and see what lessons can be learnt to improve care for local people."
We are only looking for a time commitment of around 20 hours a year, and a full induction is given. To find out more about the role or how to apply, please see here, or give us a call on 01865 520520.
We are looking for new volunteers to join our board of trustees. Becoming a trustee offers a real opportunity to make a difference to health and social care services locally. This is what one of our current trustees says about the role:
"I love being able to gain a deeper understanding of health and social care across the county, to celebrate what is being done well and see what lessons can be learnt to improve care for local people."
We are only looking for a time commitment of around 20 hours a year, and a full induction is given. To find out more about the role or how to apply, please see here, or give us a call on 01865 520520.
CITIZENS ADVICE