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Barry Wheatley, Green Party Candidate for Woodstock and Bladon

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Town Councillor for Woodstock

Barry Wheatley

My background is as a scientist/engineer turned business man, with a career built around hard work, innovation, problem solving and supporting businesses. I’ve worked across industry, academia and public policy – always focused on turning complex challenges into workable, real-world solutions. As a town councillor in Woodstock that’s the approach I try to bring to the council and want to take to the District Council.

Alongside my professional career, I spent several years volunteering as Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses in Oxfordshire, championing the small and medium-sized enterprises that are the lifeblood of our local economy. That experience has given me a deep understanding of the challenges facing local businesses – from rising costs to infrastructure pressures – and the importance of practical, joined-up solutions to help them thrive.

Since being elected to Woodstock Town Council in January 2025, and as Chair of its Environment Working Group, I’ve been working on the issues that residents raise with me time and again:

  • Flooding risks and the long-term management of the Water Meadows.
  • The pressure from overdevelopment without the essential infrastructure to support it.
  • Traffic and parking problems affecting visitors, residents, workers and businesses.
  • The need to protect and enhance our green spaces for future generations.

This work isn’t always easy, and progress can be frustratingly slow – but I not afraid of hard work.  I believe in working collaboratively, using evidence and professional advice, and getting things done properly rather than chasing headlines.  With the help of other councillors, I led on the drafting of the town council’s opposition to:

  • The proposed new housing development south of Park View.
  • The proposed closure of our fire station.
  • How the pothole crisis is being delt with both locally and nationally.

And our work is starting to pay off with:

  • National recognition of the water meadows as a Local Nature Reserve is on the books.
  • A halt to the proposed fire station closure.
  • Concrete plans to improve sports and leisure facilities, including the swimming pool, much improved play areas and a ‘3G’ all-weather pitch.

But in both Woodstock and Bladon there is much more to do that requires strong representation at District Council level. Especially better engagement with the agencies responsible for flooding, highways and infrastructure.

Like many people I’ve spoken to, you may feel that decisions (like the location of the new doctors’ surgery) are too often made about our community, not with it.  That needs to change!

Green councillors are different.

  • We believe in consensus not party politics, we will never be forced to follow a party line.
  • We are free to listen, think, and act in the best interests of local people.
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