A motion calling for the protection of pubs in South Oxfordshire has passed.

The leader of the council will write to the chancellor before the autumn budget, calling for the reduction of taxes on pub sales and to extend the hospitality business rates relief scheme.

They will also write to the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure that pubs are not converted into other commercial or residential uses without explicit support from the community.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Giles proposed the motion at the South Oxfordshire District Council meeting last night, Thursday (October 24). 

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The motion reaffirmed a previous motion made over three years ago, which stated that the council would use its powers to “support communities in their efforts to retain pubs”, particularly pubs that were assets of community value, or in opposition to planning applications for change of use.

Councillor Mike Giles said he wanted to expand the motion to include licensing and other issues.

He said: “The reason for this motion is to protect pubs, which are of vital importance to local communities, provide jobs and combat loneliness.

“The concern is that around 80 pubs are closing per month, so we need to make changes to business rates and apply pressure on the government to reduce the tax burden on them.”

The council will review its existing pub licensing policies, and change any requirements that have a worse impact on smaller pubs where appropriate.

The motion passed with one amendment, which removed the clause to appoint a council ‘Pub Champion’.

In the past five years before October 2023, nominations for assets of community value have a success rate of just 26 per cent in South Oxfordshire, compared to 83 per cent across England, according to South Oxfordshire CAMRA.