Rambling programme to March ’23
Below is the first quarter’s programme of walks organised by Thame and Wheatley Ramblers. Feel free to join them…
Costs of parish council elections
/in News/by Adam BernsteinThe attachment below details what the parish will pay for elections in 2023 whether contested or not.
2023 precept
/in News/by Adam BernsteinThe December parish council meeting is where the precept and budget for the coming financial year is discussed and agreed. The councillors recognised that the cost of living has increased substantially over the past six months and so agreed not to increase the precept (the charge levied by the council to allow it to operate) this year.
Although the parish council component of Council Tax is very small in comparison with the other elements, the councillors felt it was important to recognise the challenges some will be facing and not increase the precept.
The members of Aston Rowant Parish Council would like to wish all parishioners a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Christmas services in Aston Rowant church
/in News/by Adam BernsteinBelow are details of December’s services to be held in the church in Aston Rowant.
18th December at 1500hrs – Nine Lessons and Carols.
24th December at 1600hrs – Crib Service, a short service for children.
25th December at 1000hrs – Christmas Communion Service, all welcome.
Aston Arms to reopen
/in News/by Adam BernsteinThe Aston Arms – held in Aston Rowant church – is to reopen New Year’s Eve from 1800hrs until 0100hrs on New Year’s Day.
See the attachment below for more information.
In summary, inexpensive drinks, friends and neighbours, and no need to drive…
Council services over Christmas
/in News/by Adam BernsteinA guide on SODC’s services over the festive period when offices are closed to the public:
Abbey House – reception at Abbey House will close from 4pm (phone lines at 4.30pm) on Friday 23 December and will reopen on Tuesday 3 January.
Waste collections – for all you need to know about waste collections over the Christmas and New Year period – including the changes to the collection dates and what to do if collections are disrupted – please see here.
Housing – if you know anyone who is at immediate risk of being made homeless while offices are closed, please contact the out-of-hours service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – 01235 422410.
If you see someone sleeping rough and in an emergency situation, you can call Streetlink on 0300 500 0914.
Planning – any planning applications or post submitted after we close for Christmas, including electronic submissions, will be treated as having been received on the next working day, Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Council tax and benefits services – if anyone needs urgent help during the holidays the council tax or benefits phone lines will be open as usual between 28 and 30 December – call 0345 302 2313.
Emergency Situations – for details of what to do and who to contact during an emergency, visit here.
FTTP – other providers
/in News/by Adam BernsteinSome may have seen vans in the parish from broadband firms other than Openreach – Trooli, Airband and Gigaclear for example.
Please be careful before signing up with them; if you’ve validated a government Gigabit voucher then you are obligated to use an Openreach linked supplier – a full list is here – within two months of the scheme going live.
If you sign up with a company that uses their own network you could be liable to repay the value of the Gigabit voucher – £1500 if you pledged as a resident or £3500 if you pledged as a business. See here for more detail.
As for the Openreach scheme, the information I’ve been given is that we should see the FTTP complete by June 2023.
Cllr. Adam Bernstein
Parish Notes
/in News/by Adam BernsteinThe latest issue of the Parish Notes is available on this website.
Navigate to Your Community > Parish Notes.
Chinnor Village Centre on the BBC
/in News/by Adam BernsteinThe financial challenges facing Chinnor Village Centre were highlighted on BBC South this lunchtime (Tuesday 29 November).
If you want to know more or understand how you can help click here for the programme – go to around 3 minutes 40 in.
As some may know, the centre is running a crowd funding initiative to raise funds. It provides much needed services for Chinnor and surrounding area. The detail is here.
Chinnor Village Centre news
/in News/by Adam BernsteinA note from Chinnor Village Centre:
“Dear Friends and Members of the Chinnor Village Centre.
At our recent public meetings we have shared with you the difficult state of finances at the village centre as a result of Covid-19 lockdowns, inflation and the withdrawal of most support from local government.
The Trustees are actively seeking new sources of funding to secure the future of the village centre.
We did mention at the last public meeting that we would be starting a crowd funding appeal to raise funds to secure the immediate future of the village centre.
We would like to advise you that this campaign is about to start. A flyer will be sent to all addresses in Chinnor, Aston Rowant, Kingston Blount, Crowell, Henton, Towersey, Sydenham, and Lewknor and 200 businesses in Thame.
A copy of the flyer is attached (see below).
We hoping to get coverage of our crowdfunding initiative on local media. The local BBC station are visiting next Monday.
Please donate if you are able and tell friends, family, colleagues and anyone you think might be interested in saving the great community asset that the is Chinnor Village Centre.
Thank you very much for your support.
Cindy Bull
Trustee
Phone 01844 353733
Web www.chinnorvillagecentre.org Email
High Street, Chinnor, Oxford, OX39 4DH Registered Charity No: 1007949″