NOMINATION PAPERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE EITHER FROM THE PARISH CLERK OF FROM KEITH BUTLER AT WODC OFFICES, WOODGREEN, WITNEY, OX28 1NB
They must be submitted (by hand) no later than 4pm on Wednesday 3rd April.
NOMINATION PAPERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE EITHER FROM THE PARISH CLERK OF FROM KEITH BUTLER AT WODC OFFICES, WOODGREEN, WITNEY, OX28 1NB
Sign up now for garden waste collections
Letters are being sent to householders in West Oxfordshire encouraging them to sign up, or to renew their subscription, for the garden waste collection service.
The new subscription year starts from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 and costs £30 per bin a year for a fortnightly wheeled-bin collection.
Residents signing up before the end of February will have their licence in time for when the new subscription year starts, and can be sure of not missing any collections from April.
Cllr Steve Good, Cabinet Member for Environment said, “The garden waste collection subscription service is extremely popular and currently more than 27,000 properties are signed up. The price remains the same as last year and at £30, we believe this continues to be extremely good value.”
Signing up for garden waste collections is quick and easy, and can be done using a credit or debit card, either by calling 01993 861025 or online at www.westoxon.gov.uk/garden.
Householders choosing not to re-new their subscription service can have their bin collected. More information is on www.westoxo.gov.uk/garden.
The annual charge runs from 1 April until 31 March each year. Anyone signing up part way through the year they will be charged the full amount (£30) until the end of March.
After collection, the garden waste goes to a composting site near Chipping Norton. This large scale site enables faster composting as it reaches higher temperatures. It is first shredded then stacked in long piles, known as windrows, which are regularly turned to produce compost. The process is monitored and closely managed to quality standard. Compost is then used on agricultural land.
Survey on an increase in council tax to help protect operational policing is launched
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, has launched a survey seeking the public view on an increase in the police element of the council tax by £2 a month*
On Thursday 13th December the Home Secretary announced the provisional police funding settlement for 2019/20. In response to the exceptional operational demands on the police, particularly in areas such as Thames Valley, the Government is increasing the funding available to PCCs by up to £813 million. However, this is provided all PCCs increase the police portion of the council tax by £2 a month or £24 a year (equivalent for a Band D property), which, collectively, will raise £509 million of the £813 million increase in funding.
Anthony Stansfeld said: “The Thames Valley Police budget has been cut by £101 million over the last eight years which has resulted in significant cuts to police officer and staff numbers. This year the Government has encouraged all PCCs to raise the policing element of the council tax precept for all households. To prevent further damaging cuts to policing and restore some important frontline policing capability I would like to make use of this Government advice and raise the council tax precept accordingly.
“Demand on police forces nationally has risen significantly in the last year as a result of an increase in non-crime business, higher crime numbers, the increasing complexity of crime, and the increasing reach of criminals both physically and via technology. Throughout this Thames Valley Police has been efficient and effective but having already faced significant cuts since 2010/11 the process of identifying new cash savings is becoming ever more challenging. However, we are committed to making policing even more efficient and have already identified over £4m of new savings in 2019/20.”
“My focus for the future continues to be on delivering strong neighbourhood policing for all of the communities across the Thames Valley whilst addressing the serious threats and hardship posed by criminals. With this in mind the extra cash generated from the proposed increase in council tax will be spent on operational policing. The draft budget for 2019/20 includes additional funding to increase local frontline policing, recruit more investigators and improve contact management with the aim to reduce call waiting times on 101 calls.”
The survey and more information, including the proposed amounts from each council tax band can be found by visiting: https://bit.ly/2QEkGkk
Closing Date: Wednesday 9th January at 5pm
*this is the equivalent for a Band D property. The increase for other property Bands is set out in the table available with the survey on the above link.
Your priorities for West Oxfordshire’s budget
West Oxfordshire District Council is asking for views as to how it should prioritise its budget spend for next year.
The Council is currently preparing its annual budget for 2019-20 and is consulting on proposals to increase council tax by an annual average of £5.
Cllr Toby Morris, our Cabinet Member for Resources, said “Local government continues to face financial pressures as a result of changes to central government funding and so it’s vital to review our spending each year.
“We’re proposing an average annual council tax increase of £5 for residents and this will help to protect frontline services and allow us to continue to offer free parking and award grants to support work done by voluntary organisations.
“Our proposed increase is minimised because of shared working with Cotswold, Cheltenham and Forest of Dean councils. Working together under the new local authority-owned company, Publica, is proving extremely beneficial.”
The survey can be completed online at – www.westoxon.gov.uk/budget
The deadline to complete the survey is 18 January 2019.
Alternatively, residents can send written comments to:
Jenny Poole – Chief Finance Officer, West Oxfordshire District Council
Elmfield
New Yatt Road
Witney
Oxon OX28 1PB
A helping hand with recycling festive waste …
West Oxfordshire District Council will collect extra recyclable waste during the festive period.
Additional recycling must be in either black recycling boxes, open cardboard boxes or clear bags and put out alongside the recycling wheelie bin. However, for safety reasons, glass bottles and jars should only be placed in a black box.
Indoor food caddies can also be left out for collection alongside outdoor food waste bins.
Cllr Steve Good, Cabinet Member for the Environment said, “The festive period is a particularly busy time for our waste collection teams, but we want to do all we can to support residents who are keen to recycle.”
More information about recycling, including Christmas collection times, can be found at www.westoxon.gov.uk/festive or by calling 01993 861025.
The website also details what can be taken to local Household Waste Recycling Centres and to recycling banks.
West Oxfordshire residents wanting to recycle more can now swap to a larger recycling wheelie bin for free.
The current blue-lidded bin for recycling materials is a standard 240 litre size, but the new bin at 360 litres offers 50% more capacity.
To order a bigger recycling bin, or any additional recycling containers, call 01993 861025 or email enquiries@westoxon.gov.uk.
Volunteers in Hailey have borrowed speedwatch equipment from Thames Valley Police to monitor the speed of cars passing through the village.
Attached is an article published in the Oxford Mail with comments from Cllr Andy Smith.
The consultation on the new Village Hall is now closed.
To see the comments please click below or go to Notices.
