Greater Oxford residents are being invited to experience Oxford’s leisure centres with a free seven-day trial.
The trial is available at Oxford City Council’s three leisure centres:
- Barton Leisure Centre
- Leys Pools & Leisure Centre in Blackbird Leys
- Ferry Leisure Centre in Summertown
All three centres include gym equipment, fitness programmes, and swimming pools.
Residents of the proposed Greater Oxford Council area – including Berinsfield, Botley, Kennington, Kidlington and Wheatley – can take advantage of the trial.
Local government reorganisation
The government has asked councils across England for proposals on simplifying the structure of local government in their regions.
Oxford City Council has put forward outline proposals that would see Oxfordshire’s six councils abolished and replaced with three new councils:
- Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its Green Belt
- Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts
- Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts combined with existing West Berkshire unitary (based on the proposal being developed by those councils, but with those villages within the Green Belt closest to the city becoming part of Greater Oxford)
All three councils would have natural geographic and demographic connections, local accountability to residents, and would be viable under the government’s plans.
Greater Oxford
Greater Oxford is a new proposed council for Oxford and its immediate surroundings.
At the moment, only Oxford residents can take advantage of Oxford City Council’s community services offer, which includes:
- Free swimming for under 17s in Oxford’s swimming pools – Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre, Leys Pools and Leisure Centre, and Hinksey Outdoor Pool
- Free youth clubs and activities, including summer holiday activities, as part of the Oxford Youth Ambition programme
- Heavily discounted leisure centre membership for people on qualifying benefits, including those on carer’s allowance, foster carers and those on disability allowance
Under the local government reorganisation proposals, all Greater Oxford residents could be able to take advantage of the offer.
The aim would also be to extend the offer to Abbey Sports Centre in Berinsfield, Kidlington and Gosford Leisure Centre, and Park Sports Centre in Wheatley.
Residents of the proposed Greater Oxford area can experience Oxford’s leisure centres, which are operated by More Leisure, by taking advantage of a free seven-day trial.
For more information and to book the trial, visit oxfordcityleisure.com/trial.
Online survey
Oxford City Council has launched an online survey to help shape the final proposals, which will be submitted to the government in November.
The survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, can be found on Oxford City Council’s consultation portal.
For more information about the Greater Oxford proposals, visit the Greater Oxford website.
Comment
“We believe Oxford has the best leisure offer in the region.
“There’s a huge range of activities available – from gyms and swimming pools in our leisure centres to dance and exercise classes in our community centres.
“We’re proposing a new council for Oxford and its surrounding villages, and we want residents of those villages to experience Oxford’s leisure offer now.
“Take advantage of the free seven-day trial – and have your say on the Greater Oxford proposals by filling in the online survey.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council
Rate this page
