01 Council Messages

2012 Messages (Updated 9.05.2012)

 

 Parish Council News – April 2012

1.      Parish Annual Meeting – Thursday 3/5/12 at Village Hall, tables at 7pm and meeting starts at 7.30pm.  Refreshments available afterwards.

      Come and hear what has been done and what others are doing in the village;

Come and meet others and have a chat; and

Come and give ideas or suggestions to benefit the Parish.

 

2.      Playground – Work has started on the site and should be finished for the Jubilee weekend.  We are seeking people’s preference for the name of the playground:  AppletonCommunityPark or JubileePark.

Please sign at the Village Shop. 

 

3.      New Oxfordshire Dial-a-ride – service starts 2.4.12.

To book - ring 0845 310 1111.

You need to apply for a new membership.

Runs Monday-Friday; 9am to 5pm.

Concessionary bus pass holders will be able to travel on dial-a-ride free of charge.

Service can be used for any purpose of journey except journeys to hospital appointments and County Council funded Day Centres.

Parish Council News – January 2012
 
Playground – We have the signed lease. Council has to sign a contract with the latest funder before we can get the money to start the project. Watch this space.
Parking problems near the school remains a problem. Please do not park on the grass verge outside the Almshouses, adjacent to the Village shop.
Parish Transport Representative (PTR) – Mr Alan Feast stood down in December after representing us for several years. Council would like to thank Mr Feast for his contribution and time spent representing bus users and community. We welcome Mrs Betty Griffiths as our new PTR.
NHS consultations and other consultations – Council has received some responses to this request. I shall liaise with the interested parishioners.
‘Cold weather group’ – We are still looking for more volunteers.
High Sheriff’s Award – Council has put three people forward for consideration.
Precepts for 2012-2013 – Council has agreed to increase the precepts by £775. For a Band D property, it amounts to £1.77 more for the year.
December 2011
 
1.      Playground - Council has decided on the contractors who will be doing the work. There will be two contractors involved and the work will start in the New Year.
 
2.      Parking problems near the school – In the near future for a period, Council will be suggesting areas of ‘no parking’ with the use of traffic cones. Also, people parking near the shop will be encouraged to park their cars diagonally, to get more cars in the space available.
 
3.      Dog Fouling – This continues to be a problem. Please consider other walkers especially young children and pick up your dog’s faeces. You can be fined a fixed penalty notice of £50 or face prosecution.
 
4.      Littering – It has come to our attention that beer cans (in particular, Carlsberg) were thrown on the verges along the Eaton-Appleton straight. Please recycle the cans responsibly and not litter our countryside. We want to keep our Parish tidy and clean of litter.
 
5.      ORCC’s Bulk buy for oil scheme – A scheme is available for villagers to buy oil in bulk and get a discount off the price of oil. However, we need a volunteer to organise and arrange the ordering of oil in the village. If you are interested and would like to help, please contact me for more details.
 
6.       NHS consultations and other consultations – Council is seeking people who would like to form a group to consider consultations that are requested from NHS, and other bodies. Topics are relevant and usually have an impact on all of us at one time or another when we need to access their services. Council does not have the time or expertise to ‘speak’ for the whole Parish on such matters and would welcome contributions from others who would be interested to take part. Latest request as an example: Equality and Diversity Questionnaire (deadline 13/1/12) – see http://bit.ly/uULKno. Please look at the Parish website more details.
 
7.      ‘Cold weather group’ – There is a newly formed group, in need of more volunteers. The group will be considering actions to tackle cold weather problems e.g. icy footpaths. Please refer to the Parish website for more information on Safety and ‘Cold Weather group’. If you are interested in being part of this group please contact me.
 
8.      Thank you – I am grateful to everyone who has contributed and played a part in our community. The quality of life in the Parish is dependent on people giving their time, expertise, money and commitment. A big thank you! 
 
Tian Davidson
Parish Clerk
01865 861527
14.12.11

 

Parish Council News – November 2011
 
1.      Playground - Council has received 5 tenders for the project and will be selecting one contractor shortly.
 
2.      Grant from the Vale of White Horse DC of £1,000 for Aqua Sacs – Council was pleased to receive a grant to purchase more Aqua Sacs. Council would like to thank Sanchia Pritchett and James Mansfield for applying to the Vale on Council’s behalf.
 
3.      Dog Fouling – Council has received complaints of an increase in dog fouling, particularly along Eaton Rd. Please dispose of your dog’s faeces rather than leaving them to be trampled on! The shop sells plastic bags for this purpose. 
 
4.      Parking problems near the school – Council has issued a covering letter and a map to highlight areas of ‘no parking zones’ and areas suitable for parking. Please have a look at the suggestions and consider walking slightly further away from the school as a form of exercise.
 
5.      Overhanging branches and leaves – Please check if your trees or climbers are blocking or intruding onto pedestrian footpaths. Council is concerned for those areas of footpaths frequently used by parents, collecting young children to and from school.
 
 
Tian Davidson
Parish Clerk
17.11.11

 Parish Council News - October 2011 - More good news!

  1. Playground Lease – By the time you read this, the lease would have been signed and completed. The groundwork would have started and the tender documents would have gone out. The main work is likely to begin in January 2012 and hopefully, the playground will be ready by the spring of 2012. In recognition of A.H. Cornish Ltd for being a willing landlord of this project, Council has been given consent to plant a commemorative tree in memory of Mr Abe Gow who was a farmer in Eaton for over 40 years.
  2. Chairman’s Award for Community work in the Vale – Council was pleased to hear that Mrs Natalie Crawford and Mrs Stevie Biltcliffe were invited to the Lunch ceremony and for them to receive their certificates for their contribution to the Parish. The award was in recognition by Council for the hard work of the Playground Committee. Well done for having the vision and the perseverance!
  3.  Buses’ timetable – In November, Council should receive the new timetable for the bus services running from 11 December 2011. The no.63 bus service will run 3 times per day from Monday to Saturday, with the last service running from Oxford at 4.30pm.
  4. Traffic cones – Council would like to thank Mr Clive Johnstone for the donation of 10 traffic cones. 
  5. The new Parish notice board – Council would like to thank Mr Toby Blackwell who has pledged a donation of £450 towards the replacement cost of the notice board by the Village shop.
  6. Brownie seat on the Great Green – There will be a specially commissioned seat on the Great Green. The cost of the seat will be covered from donations given by the Brownies several years ago. 
  7. Village Hall Fundraising event of 9th October – Well done to the Committee members, their helpers, and contributors, and to the villagers for spending their money towards this worthy cause.
Tian Davidson
Parish Clerk
18.10.11

Parish Council News - September 2011

1.      Playground grant – We are pleased to announce that we have been successful with our grant application to WREN for £50k. A big thank you to Fiona McCree and the Appleton Playground Committee for doing the ground work and for submitting the grant application on our behalf. We are still waiting to sign the lease with AH Cornish Ltd, before we can contract for work on the site.
 
2.      Buses’ review – The current bus services will continue and from 11 December 2011, the no 63 bus service is enhanced with a Monday to Saturday service from a new bus provider, RH Transport. The 3 pm service from Oxford will be replaced by a 5pm service. The no 43 service remains broadly unchanged. We shall have a detailed timetable nearer the time. Thanks to Alan Feast who has attended many meetings on our behalf.
 
3.      Road maintenance on B4044 from Farmoor to A420 flyover – Please note there is a schedule of works starting October 8 for 3 weeks.
 
4.      The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations – In the months to come, you will be informed of what is being planned in the Parish, for this very special occasion. You will also have the opportunity to organise an event, if you wish. Keep your eyes on the ‘Advertiser’ and Parish website.
 
5.      Parking around the village, especially near the school during peak times – Council is aware of the problems of parking in the centre of village especially at peak times. Please walk, or cycle whenever possible. If you need to use the car, please park responsibly and Council will be producing a map to help resolve this problem.
 
6.      Village Hall Fundraising event – please come and support the event on Sunday 9th October at Village Hall from 11am to 3pm. They are fundraising for the renovations of the lobby and toilets. Lots of activities and fun!
 
Tian Davidson
Parish Clerk
18.9.11
 

Parish Council News - August 2011

1.      Electoral review of Oxfordshire, Stage 2 consultation – The draft recommendations for the composition of the County electoral divisions are based on a council size of 63 county councillors. This is a reduction from the current 74 county councillors. It is proposed that most of the divisions be represented by one councillor, with the exception of a two-member division for: Thame, Chinnor and Aston Rowant area; Grove and Wantage area. Changes to the warding arrangements are proposed for the following: Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Bodicote, Chesterton, Cumnor, Didcot, Kidlington, Risinghurst & Sandhills, St Helen Without and Witney. The draft recommendations are also available on the LGCE website: www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews. You can submit your opinions on the draft recommendations by 10 October 2011 to reviews@lgbce.org.uk or write to: The Review Officer (Oxfordshire), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5LG.
 
2.      Vale of White Horse Chairman’s Annual Community Award Lunch at the Guildhall, Abingdon on 15 October 2011 – ‘Volunteering for the Vale’. The Council has been invited to provide nominations for someone living within the Vale who is worthy of recognition for volunteering and to be recognised for their achievements in the local community. Council has suggested two nominees for consideration. I shall notify you if we are successful.
 
Tian Davidson
Parish Clerk
August 2011

 

Parish Council News – July 2011

 
1.      Playground project – We are getting the tender documents together and will need to get at least three quotes for the work. The lease for the playground is in its final stages of agreement and we hope that the project will start in September 2011. Around the same time, we should hear the result of our grant application to ‘WREN’. 
 
2.      For those who wish to tour the Houses of Parliament, you can contact your local MP who is Nicola Blackwood to arrange for you to join a guided tour. It lasts 75 minutes and it is a great day out. If you wish to hear the House in debate, you can request at the same time. For more details see www.parliament.uk
 
3.      Library service consultation – Have your say on a future library service in Oxfordshire is under public consultation till 30 September 2011. You can get a copy at your local library or go to www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraryserviceconsultation. There are a few copies in the Village shop.
 
4.      Potholes – please report any potholes (over 4 cms in depth) to OCC highways on 0845 3101111 or email: highwayenquiries@oxfordshire.gov.uk. The sooner they receive the report, the sooner they can repair the roads.
 
5.      Infrastructure support for Voluntary and Community organisations in Oxfordshire Public Consultation - Your views are wanted on what kind of support services are needed to encourage voluntary and community activity and self-help. The consultation ends on 12 September 2011.  OCC is seeking the views of local voluntary and community groups and community members on what kind of support they would like to have in order to design its future single contract for services. Please refer to: https://myconsultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/VCSInfrastructure
 
Tian Davidson
Parish Clerk
20.07.2011
 

Parish Council News – June 2011

  1. New Co-opted Member – The Parish Council is pleased to announce the successful co-option of Mrs Anna Yalci on 13 June 2011. 
  1. Playground project – The planning application has been granted. The Parish Council is waiting to finalise and complete the agreement on the lease from AH Cornish Ltd. The Playground Committee has worked hard to get additional funding and is awaiting the result of their latest application. The Vale of White Horse DC has given the Parish £5k towards this project.
  1. Proposed refurbishment costs of the Village Hall toilets – the Parish Council has been given a grant of £3k from the Vale of White Horse DC.
  1.  Consultations – The Parish Council gets several consultations from various organisations e.g. Oxfordshire County Council; District Council and NHS. In the near future, there will be a page on the website, listing these consultations.
Tian Davidson
Parish Clerk
16.6.2011

NEW PARISH COUNCIL 2011 AND ONE VACANCY

Our ‘new’ Parish Council is in place. The Council is represented by Mrs Claire Salmon (Chairman), Mrs Sara Murray (Vice Chairman), Mrs Liz Gilkes, Mrs Sue Hine, Mr Keith Stammers and Mr James Mansfield. I would like to express a warm welcome to Mr James Mansfield who joins the Council for the first time.

There is one vacancy and the Parish Council would like to co-opt a member. We would like to hear from anyone living in the Parish who would be interested in this position. Please contact Mrs Claire Salmon (01865 864042) or Mrs Tian Davidson (01865 861527) for more information. Deadline: 6/6/11.

The ‘new Council’ would like to thank all the members of the ‘old Council’ for their contribution, commitment and hard work made in the last 4 years and special thanks go to Mr Phil Neale and Mr Andy White who did not stand for re-election.

Due to bank holidays, please note that as from June the monthly Parish Council meetings will change to the second Monday of the month (no meeting is held in August), commencing at 7.15pm in the committee room of the Appleton Village Hall.

Further information about the role of Parish Councillor, responsibilities of the Parish Council can be found at Being a Councillor on the website or the parish notice board by the Community Village Shop.

Tian Davidson Parish Clerk  

Review of subsidised bus services in the Wantage and Faringdon area - The review is in progress and under consultation.  It will affect the bus services 63,66, and 43 going through Appleton with Eaton Parish.  Comments are required by 3 June to OCC via 'respond to a consultation link' on the Home page of www.oxfordshire.gov.uk.  If you wish, you may inform me of your comments and I shall pass them on to the Parish Council.  This consultation will affect services after 31.12.2011. 

District Council Elections - notice starts 25 March 2011.

Congratulations to Appleton WI - for 85 years of service in the Parish.  Well done ladies.

Changes to Stagecoach service 66 - There are some minor changes to the 66 service between Swindon and Oxford from Monday 4th April 2011.  These will involve the early journeys from Swindon being advanced by around 5 minutes on Mondays to Fridays.

Elections - 2011 ; news will follow shortly about the timetable

Bus Services

Use them or lose them? We have three services coming into Appleton: 43 (to Abingdon), 63 and 66 (to Oxford). For an update of the services and times, look at Appleton with Eaton Parish website Parish Bus Services 

The local time tables are also available at the Appleton Community Shop.

Please consider using the bus services whenever practicable. With tight budgets coming up, Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) is reviewing in April, all its services including bus services. Although there is no change to our bus services untill the end of December 2011, we need to ensure that there is continued demand for these buses, by putting ‘bums on seats’!

For those who have some free time and/or a bus pass, please consider making a worthwhile trip into Oxford to get that ‘special something’ for a ‘special person’ or treat yourself to some ‘free time’.

Potholes

If you see a pothole, please report it to OCC either by going on their website OCC Reporting web link or Fix my Street or by telephone: 0845 3101111. The sooner OCC receives the information, the sooner they can repair the road. Please let them know the location (as accurately as possible), be it right, left or in the centre, and potholes have to be greater than 4cm in depth.

2010 Messages

New red dog litter bin has been installed at the start of Green Lane by the War Memorial. The Parish Council urge all those with dogs to use the facility and ensure the lane and pavements are clear of foul. With regards to disposing of dog waste, it can either go in the dog bins provided, litter bins (wrapped it has no health implication and it all still goes to landfill) and if residents so choose it can be put it in their dust bin. Under no circumstances should residents be putting dog waste in their brown bin. If this is noticed by the crews the bin will not be emptied.

Parking on pavements: Vehicles parked on pavements are a risk to pedestrians. Please think especially about people with prams and small children and park properly on the road and leave pavements free.

Ditches and gullies. Please keep ditches free of rubbish and garden waste. It is the householder's responsibility to keep ditches on their boundaries free of blockages and let water drain away. Ditches which bound the road are the responsibility of adjacent householders and landowners, rather than the Highway authority.

 

Parish Council News – November 2011

 

 
1.      Playground - Council has received 5 tenders for the project and will be selecting one contractor shortly.
 
2.      Grant from the Vale of White Horse DC of £1,000 for Aqua Sacs – Council was pleased to receive a grant to purchase more Aqua Sacs. Council would like to thank Sanchia Pritchett and James Mansfield for applying to the Vale on Council’s behalf.
 
3.      Dog Fouling – Council has received complaints of an increase in dog fouling, particularly along Eaton Rd. Please dispose of your dog’s faeces rather than leaving them to be trampled on! The shop sells plastic bags for this purpose. 
 
4.      Parking problems near the school – Council has issued a covering letter and a map to highlight areas of ‘no parking zones’ and areas suitable for parking. Please have a look at the suggestions and consider walking slightly further away from the school as a form of exercise.
 
5.      Overhanging branches and leaves – Please check if your trees or climbers are blocking or intruding onto pedestrian footpaths. Council is concerned for those areas of footpaths frequently used by parents, collecting young children to and from school.
 
Tian Davidson
Parish Clerk
17.11.11

 

 
 

 

Parish Council News – December 2011

 

1.      Playground - Council has decided on the contractors who will be doing the work. There will be two contractors involved and the work will start in the New Year.
 
2.      Parking problems near the school – In the near future for a period, Council will be suggesting areas of ‘no parking’ with the use of traffic cones. Also, people parking near the shop will be encouraged to park their cars diagonally, to get more cars in the space available.
 
3.      Dog Fouling – This continues to be a problem. Please consider other walkers especially young children and pick up your dog’s faeces. You can be fined a fixed penalty notice of £50 or face prosecution.
 
4.      Littering – It has come to our attention that beer cans (in particular, Carlsberg) were thrown on the verges along the Eaton-Appleton straight. Please recycle the cans responsibly and not litter our countryside. We want to keep our Parish tidy and clean of litter.
 
5.      ORCC’s Bulk buy for oil scheme – A scheme is available for villagers to buy oil in bulk and get a discount off the price of oil. However, we need a volunteer to organise and arrange the ordering of oil in the village. If you are interested and would like to help, please contact me for more details.
 
6.       NHS consultations and other consultations – Council is seeking people who would like to form a group to consider consultations that are requested from NHS, and other bodies. Topics are relevant and usually have an impact on all of us at one time or another when we need to access their services. Council does not have the time or expertise to ‘speak’ for the whole Parish on such matters and would welcome contributions from others who would be interested to take part. Latest request as an example: Equality and Diversity Questionnaire (deadline 13/1/12) – see http://bit.ly/uULKno. Please look at the Parish website more details.
 
7.      ‘Cold weather group’ – There is a newly formed group, in need of more volunteers. The group will be considering actions to tackle cold weather problems e.g. icy footpaths. Please refer to the Parish website for more information on Safety and ‘Cold Weather group’. If you are interested in being part of this group please contact me.
 
8.      Thank you – I am grateful to everyone who has contributed and played a part in our community. The quality of life in the Parish is dependent on people giving their time, expertise, money and commitment. A big thank you! 
 
Tian Davidson
Parish Clerk
01865 861527
14.12.11

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