Archive for category: News

Oxfordshire County Council is using 20mph speed restrictions to change driving habits; further details on how the council is considering making 20mph the new 30mph for Oxfordshire communities can be found here.

It’s therefore asking for views on the proposal to introduce a 20mph speed within Kingston Blount, replacing the majority of the existing 30mph speed limits in process. Sections of existing 30mph speed limit on the B4009 Crowell Road between Kingston Blount and Crowell, and the existing 50mph speed limit on the B4009 Chinnor Road between Kingston Blount and Aston Rowant will remain in place, with officers having taken the current road environment and traffic usage into account.

The proposals are being put forward following road safety concerns raised by the parish, and form part of a countywide programme of works that seeks to deliver ‘a safer place with a safer pace’ for the residents of Oxfordshire. In light of this please find the following consultation documents attached:

• Public Notice,
• Statement of Reasons,
• Consultation Plan(s), and
• Draft Traffic Regulation Order(s).

The proposed Traffic Regulation Order is scheduled to be advertised in the Oxford Times newspaper today; Thursday 4th April 2024, and details are also available to view on the Councils consultation portal at the address below:

https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/kingstonblount_20mph2024

As stated on the notice, any objections or other representations on the proposal should be submitted by Friday 26th April 2024.

Another set of historic images have been uploaded.

See: https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/historic-images/

South Oxfordshire District Council is appealing for more people to come forward to work as poll clerks and presiding officers to help run polling stations on Thursday 2 May for the Police and Crime Commissioner Election.

Hundreds of people have already signed up to work at the elections in South Oxfordshire.  However, there are still around 40 vacancies at polling stations across the district and the council needs to confirm arrangements as soon as possible.   Officers are particularly keen to hear from people who are available to work in Henley and the surrounding area.

The following positions are available to those who are 18 or over and entitled to work in the UK:

• Presiding Officers: (previous experience preferred): £251.00 – Thursday 2 May, 6.15am to 10.30pm
• Poll Clerks: £200 – Thursday 2 May, 6.15am to 10.30pm

Mark Stone, Returning Officer for South Oxfordshire, said: “We need to fill these roles as quickly as possible, so if you are available on 2 May and interested in working at the elections, please get in touch with our Elections team.”

The council would also welcome expressions of interest from people who would like to hear about job opportunities for the general election which is expected to take place later this year.

For more information, including details on how to apply, visit southoxon.gov.uk/electionjobs or call 01235 422528.   

Please note, the council is unable to offer these roles to people who work for or are connected with a political party.

Residents living in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse will be able to vote for their next Thames Valley Area Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) on Thursday 2 May.

The PCC election will give residents across the Thames Valley the opportunity to select the individual who will be responsible for overseeing how crime is tackled and that the policing needs of communities across the region are met.

The list of candidates standing for election will be published on Monday 8 April, then electors will be able to read the PCC candidates’ manifestos from 10 April at choosemypcc.org.uk

Anyone registered to vote will be eligible to have their say in the election. The voter registration deadline for the PCC election is 11:59pm on Tuesday 16 April. Registering to vote only takes five minutes at gov.uk/register-to-vote

To vote at a polling station you must bring photo ID with you – a wide range of photo ID will be accepted, including passports, driving licences and cards with a PASS Mark – you can see the full list of accepted ID on the Electoral Commission website.

If you don’t have the accepted photo ID – apply NOW for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate on the Electoral Commission website. The deadline for applications for this election is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

The result of the election will be announced on Saturday 4 May at Newbury Racecourse.

For more information:

Residents in South Oxfordshire should visit – southoxon.gov.uk/PCCelection2024

Residents in the Vale of White Horse should visit – whitehorsedc.gov.uk/PCCelection2024

To find out more about the PCC role, visit – thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk

You may also find this short video on the role of the PCC useful

Anyone interested in standing for election should email   with their name, stating whether they are a prospective candidate or agent, and give contact email address and telephone number(s). More information can be found at – westberks.gov.uk/pcc-election-2024

Key deadlines for this election

• You must be registered to vote by – midnight on Tuesday 16 April 2024
• Postal vote and postal proxy vote applications – 5pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024
• Changes to existing postal and proxy vote arrangements – 5pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024
• Voter Authority Certificate (voter ID) applications – 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024
• New proxy vote applications – 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024