Cherwell District Council has launched a new vision to shape a thriving, sustainable, and connected future for north Oxfordshire residents and businesses.
Published: Monday, 24th March 2025
The vision and accompanying strategy will guide and enhance the district’s progress over the next five years, focusing on economic prosperity, community leadership, environmental stewardship, and quality housing and place making.
This plan, shaped with input from residents and businesses, will help ensure that Cherwell continues to be a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking place to live, work, visit and invest.
The strategy sets out clear priorities to enhance town centres and rural villages, support local businesses, promote sustainability, improve housing options, and strengthen communities. It also aligns with the council’s commitment to modern, efficient services that meet the evolving needs of residents.
As the council moves to its new headquarters in Castle Quay on 31 March, this vision represents a fresh chapter that focuses on delivering real, lasting change while remaining financially responsible and resident-focused.
Councillor David Hingley, Leader of the Council, said: "Our new vision sets out a clear and ambitious direction for Cherwell. We want to create a district where businesses can thrive, communities feel empowered and supported, and residents can access quality housing and enjoy a clean, green environment. This strategy is about taking action to shape a better future, delivering real benefits for everyone who calls Cherwell home.
“Our vision is to be a modern council inspiring and enabling positive, lasting change."
The plan was shaped through public consultation, with 66 per cent of participants supporting the vision statement and an average of 82 per cent endorsing the following four strategic priorities and their associated goals:
- Economic prosperity – to create vibrant economic centres and thriving rural villages and to build an inclusive and green economy.
- Community leadership – to strengthen community collaboration and resilience and to promote health and wellbeing with a focus on inequality.
- Environmental stewardship – to safeguard the environment and promote biodiversity and to promote the circular economy of reduce, reuse and recycle to minimise waste.
- Quality housing and place making – to deliver sustainable and strategic development that meets Cherwell’s needs now, and in the future and to achieve more high quality, secure, and affordable housing that caters for the diverse needs of our residents.
our residents
The council is also transforming how it works to become more insight-driven, digitally enabled, and financially sustainable. By making smarter use of resources and embracing innovation, the council will ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of its communities.
For more details on Cherwell’s new vision and strategy, visit: www.cherwell.gov.uk/vision