The Vale of White Horse District Council is asking for residents to get involved in its plans for the future.

Climate and nature recovery, affordable housing, and sustainable and inclusive communities are the council's top priorities for the next four years with the new council plan.

The council looks forward to a two-way conversation with its residents, businesses, community groups, and other pivotal organisations in the district.

On April 16, the district council launched 'At the Heart of the Vale,' engaging everyone within the district for a series of conversations.

The council hopes to put communities at the forefront of its upcoming goals, aiming to cater to the residents' needs and bettering their communities by adopting a more community-centred approach.

The dialogue will help shape a new draft corporate plan for 2024-2028.

This engagement will run until May 14.

Cllr Bethia Thomas, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "We want everyone to join in the conversation with us.

"What we set out now will influence the district over the next four years and will also have a wider reaching impact even further into the future.

"We have started the ball rolling with our ideas – but now we need to know if we are heading in the right direction.

"We can only do this by throwing the question out to our communities – what do we all want ‘At the Heart of the Vale’? I encourage as many people as possible to engage with us – as this is about all our futures."

To participate, residents can directly visit www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/HeartOfTheVale or visit the drop-in event at Didcot Civic Hall, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on April 18.

Information will also be available at multiple locations, including libraries across the district, The Beacon Arts and Community Centre in Wantage, and the council offices in Abbey House, Abingdon.

The current corporate plan will run its course this year, necessitating a clear directive for the next four years.

This new plan looks to build upon the achievements and learnings of the past few years, adopting an ambitious new approach with a targeted focus on the three core priorities of providing the homes people need, supporting climate and nature recovery and creating healthy, sustainable & inclusive communities

Late in Autumn 2024, based on the valuable feedback from the community, the council will present a draft ‘At the Heart of the Vale’ 2024-2028 plan.

Once subjected to the usual democratic and scrutiny process, the final plan will be adapted by the Full Council in October 2024.