Barry Wheatley – Your Green candidate for Woodstock and Bladon

A long-standing local voice

I’ve lived in Woodstock with my family for over 35 years, with deep roots in the community and a strong commitment to protecting what makes our town and surrounding villages so special. During that time I worked for Oxford Brookes University and the South East England Regional Development Agency before actively supporting local businesses around the county as Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses.

I joined Woodstock Town Council in January 2025 because I felt we needed a stronger, more visible voice standing up for residents — not just reacting to decisions made elsewhere, but shaping them.

Experience that delivers

My background spans engineering, business, and public policy — including working for universities, regional development agencies, and small business organisations.

I’ve spent years bringing people together to solve problems, whether that’s supporting local economies, influencing policy, or delivering practical solutions on the ground.

As Chair of Woodstock Town Council’s Environment Working Group, I’m already working on issues that matter locally — from flooding, and nature recovery to sports & leisure, potholes and parking.

Standing up for our community

Too often, decisions affecting Woodstock and Bladon are made without proper consultation or understanding of local needs.

We’ve seen it with:

• Parking changes that don’t work for local workers.
• Development decisions that put unacceptable pressure on our infrastructure.
• Vital services being moved out of the town centre, like the doctor’s surgery.

I believe our communities deserve better — proper partnership, proper planning, and proper respect.

Working together we can make a real difference, like the withdrawal of the proposal to close our Fire Station that was stymied by overwhelming public response to the consultation.

Protecting our environment and tackling flooding

Flooding is an increasing concern in both Woodstock and Bladon..

I’m working to:

• Push for better maintenance of river defences, culverts and drainage systems.
• Bring in expert support and long-term management planning.
• Build on our recently awarded Local Nature Reserve of the Woodstock Water Meadows status to unlock resources and protection.
• Involve schools and residents in local “citizen science” environmental projects.
• Keep up pressure on Thames Water to stop raw sewage overflows into the River Glyme and to upgrade the pumping stations that takes away waste water from Woodstock and Bladon.

We need practical action, not just reports.

Getting development right

We all know we need homes — but they must be:

• Truly affordable homes for local people that are sustainable and cheap to run.
• Supported by proper infrastructure – schools, water, sewage treatment, road maintenance leisure and sports facilities.
• Designed to respect the character of our towns and villages.

Too many developments are being approved without the services to support them. As a District Councillor I will continue to push for a fair deal for Woodstock and Bladon.

Supporting local businesses and town life

A thriving town centre depends on the people who work in it. I’ll use my experience in business support, economic development and of local small businesses as a District Councillor to address the issues that hinder a thriving local economy.

Such as:

• Parking and services that work for staff as well as visitors..
• Policies that support, not undermine, local businesses.
• Protecting (and where possible boosting) footfall and accessibility.

Our local economy is one of our greatest strengths — and it needs active support.

A different kind of politics

Green councillors do things differently.

We:

• Work collaboratively – believing that consensus is much better than conflict and chaos.
• Listen to residents.
• Focus on long-term solutions, not short-term fixes.
• Stay independent — not driven by party machines or big donors.

I’m standing because I believe we can do better — and because I care deeply about the future of our Woodstock and Bladon.

Working with you

This campaign isn’t just about me — it’s about all of us.

If you’d like to get involved, share your views, or support the campaign, I’d love to hear from you.  Email:  b.wheatley@northandwestoxon-greens.uk

Letter to Woodstock and Bladon voters from your Green Candidate Barry Wheatley