Vacancy for parish councillor
Due to the resignation of a councillor there is a vacancy that the parish council needs to fill.
See the attachment for more information, how to apply and deadlines.
Planning Inspectorate appeal
/in News /by Adam BernsteinThe application for planning permission in principle for a house in a field in Church Lane in Aston Rowant, that would have expanded the village footprint somewhat, was rejected by SODC at the start of January.
However, the application has now been sent to the Planning Inspectorate for an appeal.
This means that the parish council needs residents to write again with comments objecting.
The weblink for this is https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk. The application can be found using reference 3361560.
It would be helpful to have comments lodged again by the end of March.
Please help the council protect the boundaries of the parish – remember, we are all surrounded by fields.
Garden waste from SODC
/in News /by Adam Bernstein#### Garden Waste Permit Update ####
The payment system for the new garden waste permits is now live.
Please use the link above to make payment and receive a permit before 1 April. Brown bins will not be emptied without a properly displayed permit. See below for more information.
SODC is introducing a new garden waste subscription from April.
Garden waste is an optional paid-for garden waste service. In the year 2025-26, for an additional annual charge of £75, residents get their garden waste such as hedge clippings, grass cuttings, dead leaves etc. collected regularly from their home using one of SODC’s brown wheeled bins.
From 1 April 2025, a new permit scheme will change the way that residents pay for their garden waste collection. The permits must be paid for in advance, and direct debit will no longer be available.
Once it has received payment, residents will receive a garden waste permit through the post, which needs to be put on the lid of the brown bin.
When SODC moves to the new permit system, it will no longer collect bins that do not display the year’s permit sticker. After fair warning, if residents continue to present their bin without displaying a sticker it may be removed.
Please note: if a property is unsuitable for wheelie bins, residents should call the Garden Waste Team on 03000 610 610 and not use the online form.
Planning application – ARPC objects
/in News /by Adam BernsteinAn application for planning permission has been made for an extension to a central property in a conservation area overlooking the green in Aston Rowant – application reference P25/S0193/HH.
It can be viewed here.
The parish council is objecting to the application on the basis that the box-like design of the proposed structure is not sympathetic to the building it’s attached to or the surrounding conservation area, especially given it’s position on the green.
We think the materials used may be unsuitable for a conservation area – there is little detail on what is to be used.
The double aspect windows on what will be a living room will leak excessive light into a dark environment at night.
The proposed driveway is radically distinct from every other property on the green and the conservation area; it takes up almost half of the plot.
And the research needed to properly design the proposed structure has been basic at best with required reports omitted.
It’s notable that the pre-application response from the heritage department at SODC, said – ‘the design and finish of this extension does not sit particularly well with the main house’ and ‘the scheme poses a degree of harm to the significance of the designated heritage asset the Aston Rowant Conservation Area.’
ARPCs objection relates purely to the design aspect of the application.
Please take time to look at the application and lodge an objection on SODC’s planning portal. The deadline for comments is 3 March.
The attachment below offers more information and images on the second page.
Adam Bernstein, chairman
SODC budget 2025-6
/in News /by Adam BernsteinA note from SODC:
“Diligent financial management has ensured that South Oxfordshire District Council can deliver a balanced budget for 2025-26 and marks the first time in nine years that the council hasn’t needed to dip into its reserves.
District councillors have approved a 2025-26 budget that ensures continued investment in public services, including crucial housing and infrastructure projects and guaranteeing support for vulnerable residents, despite the ongoing challenges of an unstable national economy.
Major funding is to be made available to support the purchase of more affordable housing across South Oxfordshire. Having already committed £10 million to provide more safe, secure and compliant housing, purchased under the Local Authority Housing Funding (LAHF) schemes, the district council has now committed to make a further £10 million available to support the council’s long-term ambitions to meet local housing need.
South Oxfordshire District Council has so far purchased 27 properties under the LAHF scheme, the majority of which will provide genuinely affordable and energy efficient houses and apartments available for rent.
Councillors also approved funding to secure the future of the council’s Community Hub on an ongoing basis. This valued service provides practical support and advice for those with cost-of-living concerns or who are finding life difficult.
Since launching in 2020, the Community Hub has supported thousands of residents across the district and provided more than £800,000 in vouchers and grants to households experiencing financial hardship. This has ensured people were able to pay vital energy bills and afford household essentials and food. A further £200,000 has been awarded to local voluntary and community organisations, helping them continue their invaluable support provided to residents.
£590,000 will be made available through council grant schemes to support community projects such as improvements to public facilities, energy upgrades, local events and tree planting.
The council continues to fund an ongoing programme to improve the district’s leisure centres, including major decarbonisation projects at Henley Leisure Centre and Abbey Sports Centre and new equipment for Didcot Wave’s Spin Studio. Money for these projects comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 funding the council has secured from developers of new homes.
South Oxfordshire District Council receives just six per cent of the total council tax that its residents pay each year. The rest is divided between Oxfordshire County Council (77 per cent), Thames Valley’s Police and Crime Commissioner (12 per cent) and local town/parish councils (five per cent).
South Oxfordshire’s council tax is currently the 10th lowest among all shire district councils nationally and is less than half the equivalent charge in neighbouring Oxford City.
To view the 2025-26 South Oxfordshire District Council budget, visit the 13 February 2025 Council meeting agenda page.”
Duck Race – This Sunday (16 February)
/in News /by Adam BernsteinIt’s that time of the year again when the snowdrops are out… and so it’s time for the Duck Race and cream teas.
It’s being held this Sunday, 16 February, at Fiveways. Cream teas are being served at Aston Rowant Church from 2pm to 4pm.
Please wear boots or wellingtons as with the amount of rain we have had it will be muddy in parts.
Last year was fantastic with over 100 people down at Fiveways, let’s hope the weather is the same as last year. But if it is raining just enjoy the cream teas.
Event is organised by the Church and Aston Rowant Footpaths and Amenities Group.
Free and low-cost activities for all ages
/in News /by Adam BernsteinFun games, badminton, football and pickleball are just some of the free and low-cost activities available for children and their families to enjoy this February half-term, hosted by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.
Two free community days are taking place at Long Furlong Community Centre, Abingdon, on Tuesday 18 February and Thame Leisure Centre on Wednesday 19 February. Come along and try a new sport and enjoy a mix of activities for all ages provided by the councils’ Active Communities and Better Leisure teams.
In Abingdon, enjoy fun games, football, seated exercise, and family activities like the Xplorer challenge and New Age Kurling. Over in Thame, take part in football, multisports, dance, seated exercise, table tennis, and much more.
The activities are expected to be very popular so, where required, residents are encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment.
There’s plenty of family fun this half-term at Cornerstone Arts Centre inDidcot, with craft workshops and live theatre for all to enjoy. Children can get creative by decorating their own photo frame on Wednesday 19 February from 11am to midday. Families can enjoy an exciting evening as award-winning magician James Phelan presents his new show, The Dreamer, on Saturday 15 February.
For the Taylor Swift lovers of the family, The Beacon in Wantage is the place to be. The Eras Experience hits The Beacon during half term on Friday 21 February, with a tribute to Taylor Swift’s music.
For a full run down of what’s on and details on how to book, visit southandvale.gov.uk/holidayactivities
Sustainability for micro and small businesses
/in News /by Adam BernsteinOxfordshire County Council is seeking to help small businesses in the county learn about the basic fundamentals of sustainability and how to they link to the continued success of a business.
The inaugural session will take place on Wednesday 30th April at 17:30 at the BIPC Center, Westgate Library. It is an in-person workshop with interactive activities, great learning opportunities and time to begin carbon reduction plans with support from the facilitators.
It’s free to attend.
See here for more information.
New issue of the Parish Notes
/in News /by Adam BernsteinThe February / March 2025 issue of the Parish Notes is now online here.
Garden waste changes
/in News /by Adam BernsteinSODC is introducing a new permit scheme for garden waste collections this year.
To receive garden waste collections from 1 April 2025, residents must purchase an annual permit. This will replace direct debits.
What residents need to do:
- From late February, visit the council’s website www.southandvale.gov.uk/GardenWastePermit to make a one-off, annual payment for garden waste collections.
- When customers get it in the post, they need to stick the permit to the lid of their brown bin.
Garden waste customers can also sign up for an online account on SODCs website to make things easier when they purchase the next permit in 2026. Anyone who cannot easily signup for a permit online can call 01235 422422 for support.
Visit the New Garden Waste FAQ page for more information.