17/07/2026
Press release from Oxfordshire Green councillors-
Green councillors are calling on their councils to reaffirm their commitment to the inclusion, safety and equality of transgender and non-binary people this week. This follows new statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) which affects service providers, including the councils, who are operating single-sex services or spaces. Both councils have a longstanding commitment to equality and inclusion, including 2021 resolutions to support trans rights. Gender reassignment remains a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.
Councillor Katherine Foxhall is proposing the motion to Vale of White Horse District Council on 15th July. She says “This guidance creates huge uncertainty and has a real-life impact. It leaves organisations, groups and businesses with a legal minefield and significant expenses if they wish to continue being inclusive. To be clear, this guidance is cruel and unnecessary. It cements exclusion, segregation and hostility and it will cause real harm to trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people who have accessed inclusive spaces and services for years.”
Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye is proposing the motion to South Oxfordshire District Council on 16th July. “We accept that this council has an obligation to comply with the law in its provision of services. We also appreciate that council staff have already been working hard to understand how this Code affects our services and leisure centres. Our motion makes it clear that we will do all we can within the law to continue to create a safe environment for transgender and non-binary residents, staff and visitors to access essential services and public spaces.”
Councillor Robin Bennett is the group leader at South Oxfordshire District Council and co-chair of the South and Vale branch of the Green Party. “It’s important to show residents that we are still committed to inclusion, equality and the safety of our trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming residents. We are grateful to the Liberal Democrat groups at our councils for their positive and supportive response to this motion, and to our colleagues in Oxford City Greens who have worked closely with us as we seek to bring parallel motions to our full councils this week.”
