Archive for category: News

There’s an oil syndicate that serves the parish and surrounding area with the sole aim of saving members money on heating oil.

The syndicate covers Aston Rowant, Chinnor Hill, Christmas Common, Crowell, Kingston Blount, Lewknor, Milton Common, Postcombe and Tetsworth – and further if there’s a need.

It costs nothing to join or be a member of, carries no obligation to buy, and there are no fees or commission added to the price.

The process runs in November, January/February (depending on the weather) and June.

All that is needed to join is a full postal address, email address and phone number. Householders are asked for the maximum volume of oil required. The overall total is collated and suppliers negotiated with. Householders pay the oil company directly and only for the oil that is delivered.

To illustrate the savings, for the top up that ran in January, the syndicate rate was 77p/ litre plus VAT from Lovells. However, just buying 500 litres would have cost between 84.20p/litre plus VAT from Sweetfuels and 85p/litre plus VAT from Lovells.

To join the syndicate email  or call 01844 350440.

The Household Support Fund scheme has opened again for people finding it hard to cope with the rising cost of food and energy bills.

South Oxfordshire has reopened the scheme to help households meet the costs of life’s essentials.

The fund is initially open for applications to help eligible households that have not received any support from the fund previously. However, from 13 February, if funds remain, it will be opened up wider to households that have received some funding in the past but not since May last year.

Residents can apply for support by filling in an online form on the council’s website or by calling the Community Hub team during office hours on 01235 422600. The fund closes on 31 March, or sooner if it is fully allocated.

The council recognises that many residents are struggling in these difficult economic times and is offering a wide range of advice, including information on free or affordable food banks and council tax support. It can also help to signpost people for debt advice and other cost of living support, and provide information on housing support as well as guidance on how people can look after their mental health and wellbeing.

Residents can find out more about the Household Support Fund and other cost of living support at southoxon.gov.uk/costofliving

Parking fees will increase in South Oxfordshire from 1 April this year.

Residents using car parks, run by South Oxfordshire District Council, in Didcot, Goring, Henley, Thame and Wallingford will see between 20p and 60p added to charges for users parking their vehicle depending on how long they park for.

The rise to parking fees and permits was agreed in line with inflation by Cabinet members at a meeting last month. Members also agreed to continue to offer free parking for up to one hour in the district.

The increase was part of an annual review, which looks at costs of the parking service and considers the impact of increased charges on residents and local businesses.

The extra revenue, which is estimated to bring in about £70,000, will be used to help maintain the district’s car parks and pay for ongoing costs for the service.

For more information on the council’s car parks and fees visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/carparks

Residents who pay for the garden waste service can put out Christmas trees for collection for composting with their brown bins. However all residents can drop off real Christmas trees at various locations.

See here for more detail.