Oxford Rehearsal Day

INSTRUMENTAL WORKSHOP DAYS AND LARGE ORCHESTRA DAYS

Contact:

• simon.payne@virgin.net
• 07775 904626
• Oxford Rehearsal Day, Abingdon, Oxon.

Cello day with Nick Roberts

Bassoon day with Laurence Perkins

Viola Day with Martin Outram

South Oxfordshire District Council has published its draft local plan and is inviting the public and organisations to make formal responses that will be submitted with the plan to the government for inspection.

The formal public consultation began on 7 January and will run for six weeks until Monday 18 February at 5pm. This is the final chance for residents, businesses and organisations to have their say on the plan – their comments will be submitted with the plan to the government by the end of March 2019. The examination of the plan by an independent government inspector is expected to follow in the summer.

Cllr Felix Bloomfield, cabinet member for Planning at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “This is an important moment for our district and indeed for Oxfordshire. With a robust and sound plan, we can protect South Oxfordshire from unsuitable developments. It also means we are on track to submit our plan on time to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of vital infrastructure funding for the whole county.

“This is a plan that will help South Oxfordshire continue to thrive and prosper – it’s not just about housing although it will bring many much-needed affordable homes, it is also about high-quality, well-paid jobs; it’s about shops, leisure and local green spaces; it’s about all the facilities needed to support thriving communities. It will help us deliver the infrastructure our district and Oxfordshire badly need – it’s a plan that will enable residents to continue enjoying living and working in South Oxfordshire.”

The plan, supporting evidence documents and copies of the comment form and guidance note are available to view at www.southoxon.gov.uk/newlocalplan and the locations listed below during their usual opening hours:

• South Oxfordshire District Council, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, OX14 4SB
• all public libraries in South Oxfordshire
• Abbey House Abingdon, Abbey Sports Centre Berinsfield, Barton Leisure Centre, Chalgrove Post Office (contact Councillor Gibbs on 01235 523679 or email grgibbs@btinternet.com)¸ Clifton Hampden Post Office, Cornerstone Didcot, via Culham Parish Council¸ Didcot Wave Leisure Centre, Leys Pools and Leisure Centre (Blackbird Leys), the Holiday Inn Grenoble Road, Oxford City Council St Aldate’s and the Talking Shop Café Sandford on Thames.

Comments can be submitted by:

• visiting www.southoxon.gov.uk/newlocalplan and following links to the online form;
• downloading a comment form from the council’s website and emailing the completed version to planning.policy@southoxon.gov.uk
• collecting a comment form from one of the locations listed above and posting the completed form to Planning Policy, SODC, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, OX14 4SB; or
• attending one of the council’s drop-in events.

Public drop-in events are being held at: 

Didcot, Cornerstone Arts Centre	Thursday 17 January, 3pm–7pm
Henley Town Hall	Saturday 19 January, 10am-2pm
Wheatley, The Merry Bells Village Hall	Monday 21 January, 3pm-7pm
Culham Parochial School	Wednesday 23 January, 4pm-8pm
Sandford-on-Thames Village Hall	Thursday 24 January, 3pm-7pm
Berinsfield Church Hall	Tuesday 29 January, 3pm-7pm
Wallingford, Ridgeway Community Church	Saturday 2 February, 10am-2pm
Thame Town Hall	Tuesday 5 February, 10am-2pm
Chalgrove Village Hall	Thursday 7 February, 4pm-8pm
Horspath Community Hub	Saturday 9 February, 10am-2pm
Oxsrad Sports and Leisure Centre, Marston	Monday 11 February, 4pm-8pm

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, has launched a survey seeking the public view on an increase in the police element of the council tax by £2 a month*

On Thursday 13th December the Home Secretary announced the provisional police funding settlement for 2019/20. In response to the exceptional operational demands on the police, particularly in areas such as Thames Valley, the Government is increasing the funding available to PCCs by up to £813 million. However, this is provided all PCCs increase the police portion of the council tax by £2 a month or £24 a year (equivalent for a Band D property), which, collectively, will raise £509 million of the £813 million increase in funding.

Anthony Stansfeld said: “The Thames Valley Police budget has been cut by £101 million over the last eight years which has resulted in significant cuts to police officer and staff numbers. This year the Government has encouraged all PCCs to raise the policing element of the council tax precept for all households. To prevent further damaging cuts to policing and restore some important frontline policing capability I would like to make use of this Government advice and raise the council tax precept accordingly.

“Demand on police forces nationally has risen significantly in the last year as a result of an increase in non-crime business, higher crime numbers, the increasing complexity of crime, and the increasing reach of criminals both physically and via technology. Throughout this Thames Valley Police has been efficient and effective but having already faced significant cuts since 2010/11 the process of identifying new cash savings is becoming ever more challenging. However, we are committed to making policing even more efficient and have already identified over £4m of new savings in 2019/20.”

“My focus for the future continues to be on delivering strong neighbourhood policing for all of the communities across the Thames Valley whilst addressing the serious threats and hardship posed by criminals. With this in mind the extra cash generated from the proposed increase in council tax will be spent on operational policing. The draft budget for 2019/20 includes additional funding to increase local frontline policing, recruit more investigators and improve contact management with the aim to reduce call waiting times on 101 calls.”

The survey and more information, including the proposed amounts from each council tax band can be found by visiting: https://bit.ly/2QEkGkk

Closing Date: Wednesday 9th January at 5pm

*this is the equivalent for a Band D property. The increase for other property Bands is set out in the table available with the survey on the above link.