Thousands of residents in southern Oxfordshire have found their recycling bins unemptied each week because they have put the wrong things in them.

Putting non-recyclable items in recycling can contaminate a whole truckload, which is then rejected at the recycling facility. This turns neighbours’ recycling into rubbish and ultimately wastes energy and raw materials by removing these items from the recycling process.

Bin crews in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts have stepped up monitoring of recycling bins in recent months as the lockdown has meant an increase in household waste, which has meant an increased risk of people putting the wrong items in recycling bins.

To remind residents about what can (and can’t) be recycled, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have devised a new recycling quiz here

https://survey.southandvale.gov.uk/s/TheGreenRecyclingBinQuiz/

Having looked carefully at the possibility and practicality of holding further meetings in 2020, the Historical Society Committee has decided that the safest course amidst so much uncertainty, and with many members in vulnerable categories, is to cancel the remainder of this year’s programme.

We aim to resume in January 2021 with the AGM and a talk from one of the cancelled speakers. Look out for further information in later issues of Dorchester News. We shall also send email updates to members when we have more news.

Meanwhile, keep safe.
Margot Metcalfe, Chairman

June District councillors report now available to read online

Coronavirus response

The newly established Community Hub at SODC has been extremely active in supporting vulnerable residents over the past couple of months. The Hub’s current opening hours are 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays. We are very proud of the way SODC staff have stepped up to the challenge and have responded to the new demands being placed on them.

Virtual meetings and Local Plan

SODC’s first virtual meeting took place successfully on 28 May, and it’s great for transparency and openness that you can now watch pretty much all official council meetings online. Try it if you’ve run out of options on Netflix! Find the links and timetable on the SODC website.

It has now been confirmed that the Examination in Public of the local plan will also be held virtually, starting on July 14^th, and we’re just awaiting confirmation that this too will be streamed live. Proposed changes to the plan are being drafted by some councillors, including me, for submission to the inspector. It will be up to him to accept or reject them. The council is still under the legal direction of Secretary of State Robert Jenrick to push this controversial plan through.

Adapting our roads to accommodate safe cycling and walking

It is clear that our narrow pavements and car-oriented roads are simply unsafe for an increase in bicycle traffic and social distancing. Much of the focus so far has been on the more urban areas, including Oxford, but we would like to see this vision extended to our villages and towns.

There’s a website called www.widenmypath.com where you can submit a suggestion for improvements to be made to an existing pavement or cycle path. Apparently it is monitored by OCC, so worth using!

Recent air quality measurements show clearly the impact road traffic has on levels of air pollution, with a massive drop in Nitrogen Dioxide levels during the lockdown, by more than half in places like Wallingford.

Support for Local Businesses

We have been processing applications for the new Discretionary grants fund, aiming to support small businesses which were not eligible for the earlier rounds of funding, and we continue to push for funding for those who are still missing out on support. Further information is available at https://www.svbs.co.uk.

Diversity and inclusion

Leader of SODC Sue Cooper has written an open letter highlighting the approach to diversity in our district, in light of recent events in the US and here in the UK, saying: “we practice equality, fairness and inclusion. Through many of our services we work hard to ensure marginalised and isolated members of communities get all the support they need.”

Dorchester celebrated for Bike Week by cycle champion Cllr Sam Casey-Rerhaye:

“My favourite route at the moment is from Culham to Dorchester-on-Thames.  Although the path does need some attention in parts, it’s an easy going 10-mile round trip and feels safe because of the cycle path. This journey has been even more enjoyable of late because fewer vehicles are on the road and, although the ride takes you along a main road, the cycle path sits between open fields on both sides.  It’s so lovely to arrive at the beautiful and calm Dorchester cemetery, where my mother is buried.  I stay for a while and enjoy the surroundings before I head back to enjoy my return journey.” 

District Councillor’s Report

Parish Council Minutes for May now online to be read

Council Minutes

Cyclists and walkers are set to benefit from a concerted plan of action to clear and prepare Oxfordshire’s network of cycleways and footpaths ready for the expected rises in demand as lockdown is very gradually relaxed.

As the people of Oxfordshire look to return to work and school during the Summer, cycling and walking will become more important than ever – both offer zero emission ways to travel which will improve health and wellbeing as well as helping to address the need to keep socially distant.

A recent survey of all 63 Oxfordshire County Councillors found that the need to improve cycling infrastructure was a standout priority in terms of how Oxfordshire’s share of the government’s £250m Emergency Active Travel grant fund should be spent.

Amongst other practical and quick to implement measures, such as improving signage and sweeping the busiest paths and cycle lanes, keeping vegetation under control and fixing surfaces feature in our immediate plans of work. This is all part of keeping the network safe to use for cyclists and pedestrians as lockdown restrictions ease but will also hopefully encourage more people to walk and cycle in the long term.

The county council is developing a programme of work for the county’s city, urban, suburban and rural areas.

In each case, the work will pay particular attention to narrower areas that might be widened for greater access. Paths where any surface improvement work will also be identified so repairs can be made. As we work through the programme residents can expect to see more measures like this being prioritised across the county.

Cllr Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “In the coming weeks and well beyond, our cycleways and footpaths will form a vital part of our recovery strategy. They will enable residents of all ages to safely travel to a range of locations. Now that cycling and walking have become so popular, we are committed to enabling residents to continue to cycle and walk as ongoing lifestyle choices.”

If people encounter any issues whilst out walking, cycling or riding on the path network then these can be reported or checked on Oxfordshire County Council’s website. People can report a roadside vegetation problem, as well as other street problems, through our online reporting tool Fixmystreet.

https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cycleways-and-footpaths-to-be-cleared-and-repaired-as-council-anticipates-demand-surge/