Freeze Council Tax by being Responsible with your money
At a time when household budgets are under pressure, residents deserve a council that lives within its means.
- We will freeze council tax, delivering value for money without increasing the burden on families.
- This will be achieved through careful spending, cutting pet projects, and bringing council finances back under control.
- We will focus on core services not vanity schemes or politically motivated spending.
Backing Businesses and the Rural Economy
West Oxfordshire’s economy depends on small businesses, farmers, tourism, and the self-employed. A strong local economy means secure jobs and thriving communities.
- We will champion independent shops, pubs, farms, and rural enterprises.
- Keeping business rates as low as possible is vital and we will lobby for fair rural funding.
- We will support our local markets, events, and tourism that bring visitors and spending into our towns and villages.
Infrastructure That Comes First – Not Last
New homes being built must come with the infrastructure to support them. Growth must work for residents not the other way around.
- We will insist developers deliver infrastructure before or alongside new housing not years later.
- We will scrap the Liberal Democrat, Labour, and Green councillors’ plan to build on the Woodford Way car park in Witney, protecting vital parking that supports Witney’s town centre businesses and residents.
- Work with Thames Water to ensure vital sewage upgrades take place to support the housing growth.
Reinstating Community Grant Funding
Strong communities do not happen by accident they are built and supported. Community groups are not “nice to have” extras they are the backbone of West Oxfordshire.
- We will reinstate community grants for village halls, sports clubs, community groups, and local charities.
- Funding grants will be transparent, fair, and focused on real community benefit.
- We will work with parish or town councils to ensure local priorities are respected.
Tackling Fly-Tipping and Environmental Crime
Fly-tipping blights our countryside, lanes, and villages and residents are fed up. Looking after our environment means being tough on those who damage it.
- We will take a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping, with stronger enforcement and higher penalties.
- We will lobby the County Council to scrap the new booking system for recycling site visits.
- We will reduce the cost of a garden waste permit, removing a key incentive for illegal dumping.
Flood Mitigation and River Maintenance
Rivers, streams, and drainage channels will be cleared of debris, improving water flow and reducing flood risk. Prevention is cheaper and far less distressing than recovery.
- We will work closely with landowners, the Environment Agency, and local flood groups.
- New developments will be required to contribute properly to flood mitigation measures.
- We will invest in flood prevention and resilience, not just reactive measures when it’s too late.
We can only deliver Our Plan for a better West Oxfordshire if you Vote Conservative on Thursday 7th May.