Get ready for Autumn with extra Garden Waste Collections

From South and Vale District Councils:

Residents across southern Oxfordshire who are signed up for brown bin collections can put out twice as much garden waste during one week this month.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils are giving those who are part of the paid-for service the opportunity to put out the equivalent of one extra bin’s worth of garden waste (around three large bin bags) during:

⦁     week commencing 16th October - Vale of White Horse

⦁     week commencing 23rd October - South Oxfordshire

Residents should leave their extra garden waste out in bin liners or sacks beside their brown bins on their usual collection day during these weeks.  Trade waste bags cannot be accepted.

Cllr Tony Harbour, cabinet member for waste at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “The garden waste service is very popular and this is a little thank you to our residents for all their efforts with recycling.  We’d like to encourage everyone to make use of the larger collection.”

Cllr Charlotte Dickson, cabinet member for waste at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “With the autumn leaves falling, it’s a good time to give residents this extra service and we hope they find it helpful.  It’s a perfect opportunity to get their gardens ready for winter.”

Plastic Bags can now be used to line Food Waste Bins

Residents in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse can now use plastic bags to line their food waste bins and caddies.

Food waste is collected every week and taken to Agrivert’s anaerobic digestion plant near Wallingford to be recycled into gas for electricity and fertiliser for local farmland.

The processing plant is now able to accept thin plastic bags, such as carrier bags, bread bags, paper wrappings, or normal pedal bin liners. Residents can also continue to use compostable bags or newspapers to line their caddies and bins, or put food straight in without any liner.

Any bags used as liners will be removed at the processing plant and sent to an Energy Recovery Facility to be turned into energy.

Cllr Tony Harbour, Cabinet Member for Waste at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We know that compostable bags can be expensive and easily tear, so it’s great news that the processing plant can now take plastic bags.

“We are very grateful to our residents for their efforts in recycling – which have helped our district to achieve the highest recycling rates in the country. We are always looking for opportunities to work with our partners to improve services for our residents and this is a good example of this.”

Cllr Charlotte Dickson, Cabinet Member for Waste, said: “We want to make recycling as easy as possible for our residents, so we very much welcome the extra option of using plastic bags as caddy liners.

“We are one of the top recyclers in the country, but we still throw away a significant amount of food waste, with a recent review showing that around 30 per cent of the waste put out in the grey rubbish bins was food waste that could have been recycled. We would like to encourage everyone to use their food waste bins and thank all those that already do – it makes a real difference.”

All cooked and uncooked food can be put into food waste bins. Residents are advised that plastic retail packaging, or anything other than food waste, should not be put in. For example, bacon should be removed from its plastic packet and fruit taken out of punnets.

During 2016/17, 10,024 tonnes of food waste was collected and sent for recycling in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.

For further information about food waste recycling and other household waste and recycling collections, see the councils’ websites:

www.southoxon.gov.uk/waste andwww.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/waste or call 03000 610610.

Councillors News - To Mark the Queens 90th Birthday

On Wednesday 11 May the honorary Freedom of the Vale was awarded to the Abingdon based 3 Regiment RLC, 4 Regiment RLC and The Rifles.

The award was made at a special meeting of Vale of White Horse District Council by Chairman Cllr Mike Badcock.

To mark this prestigious honour scrolls were presented to representatives from each of the regiments.

White Horse leisure and Tennis Centre

Visitors to the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon are set to benefit from a major programme of investment, which will see the current gym substantially extended, new state-of-the-art fitness equipment installed and a new crèche area created.

The new gym space, which will be extended by 290sqm, will boast £136,000 worth of new kit.  This will include the latest Technogym ‘Excite’ equipment comprising treadmills, recline bikes, crossovers and synchro machines – offering a full cardiovascular workout.  The additional space and new equipment will mean that up to 50 more customers will be able to use the gym at any time.  In addition, all fitness equipment currently located in the existing gym will be replaced and upgraded thanks to a further £246,000 investment.

A new outdoor crèche area is also planned, devised to give young children more space in which to play, while their carers are using the leisure centre’s other facilities.

The gym changing rooms will be refurbished with the introduction of new showers, toilets, wash basins, lockers, paintwork and lighting. The main entrance to the building will also be improved thanks to the installation of an impressive new canopy, while public art will also be installed throughout centre.

The roof of the extended gym area will be an environmentally friendly ‘Green Roof’ featuring plants and vegetation to absorb any rain water that falls on the new building.

The £1.7million improvements are being funded by Vale of the White Horse District Council and GLL, which operates the council’s Better leisure centres.

The work is due to start on Sunday 15 May and is expected to be completed just in time for Christmas.

Cllr Charlotte Dickson, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We’re very keen to ensure our leisure centres provide residents with the best experience and facilities possible.  This £1.7million investment from the Vale and GLL will make a huge difference for people visiting the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, especially those using the gym.  There will be much more room and new equipment meaning many more people can be accommodated at peak times.”

Ben Whaymand, Partnership Manager GLL, said “The White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre is a fantastic community facility. The work comes at an exciting time when we are investing £1.7m by extending the existing gym, and introducing state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

“The gym changing rooms at the leisure centre will also receive an upgrade as part of this work.

“This will be a massive difference to the existing facility offering a wider range of equipment for our customers, and adding benefit to their membership.”

Abbey Meadows Project

Thanks to a £615,000 investment from the Vale, Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow is set for a major overhaul. Following a significant public consultation last year the Council has announced a reburbished pool building with a new changing area; an extended children’s splash area; two new exciting adventure playgrounds; new picnic seating; new public toilets open all year round and a new multi-use games area.  The majority of work will begin after this year’s summer season.

Recycling

Keen gardeners in the Vale of White Horse can take advantage of some of the district councils’ upcoming offers and discounts.

Existing garden waste customers can leave double out for collection between 16 and 20 May.

Any extra garden waste needs to be in an open box or bag by the brown bin, but not in trade bags as waste crews won’t empty these.

If residents sign up to the garden waste service in June or July, they’ll get ten per cent off their annual fee.  During this time existing customers can get the discount off their annual fee for an extra bin.

Councillor Elaine Ware, cabinet member for waste at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This is the perfect time to sign up for our garden waste service.  It’s very simple – you just put your brown bin out on the same day as your green bin, and we’ll come out and collect your garden waste.  If you’re having a bit of a spring clean, make the most of all the waste services we have to offer – we collect small electrical items and textiles, too.”

I welcomed the freeze in charge for brown bins in the budget earlier this year, together with the freeze in council tax for the 6^th year running this represents a real cut in the Vale element of the council tax while at the same time maintaining a high level of service, with your help we can be the number 1 recycler in the country.

I know many of you are concerned about the refugee situation and how decisions made at central government might affect us.  As I understand it there will be a small number of families coming into the Vale over the next few years under the Syrian response.  From a personal view I am pleased to hear that compassion is at the heart of our response.  Last week Host Abingdon launched – an inspirational Q&A with Patrick Kingsley, a journalist who has worked  over the last years reporting on the migrant  crisis

To finish with a quote from the evening

“the history of Europe and the USA is one of migration”

Councillors News - New Recycling Services by Chris Palmer

Some new recycling services have been introduced by Vale of White Horse District Council.  From this week you can now recycle:

•  broken or unusable small electrical goods in grey bin week

•  tatty, torn and unusable old clothes and textiles in green bin week

Just put them in a tied carrier bag next to your bin on your normal collection day.

Small electrical items - taken to a specialist site in Newbury for sorting, storing and processing into new gadgets.

Textiles - taken to a sorting warehouse in East London - any cotton and polyester gets cut into industrial rags, and any wool is shredded and made into felt or new yarn.

See also: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/recycling-rubbish-and-waste/new-recycling-services-now-available 

Also for those of you who have brown bins:

Extra, extra! Extra-large garden waste collections this autumn

Garden waste customers in the Vale of White Horse can put an extra-large collection out during the week of 19th October 2015.  You can put out one extra bins’ worth of garden waste in sacks or reusable bags (but not trade bags) on your usual collection day - you just need to make sure they’re open so the crew can see what’s in there.

See also:

http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/recycling-rubbish-and-waste/garden-waste

Councillors News - Reporting Problems to OCC by Monica Lovatt

Did you know you can report potholes, blocked drains, overgrowth of vegetation and anything to do with roads and pavements online on the Oxfordshire County Council website at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/.  On the Home page you’ll find the link Report a Road Problem, where you’ll be taken through a process, and there’s even a map for you to pin point the exact location of the problem.  You will be given a number and most things should be responded to in 10 working days.  You can remain anonymous.

Councillors News - Councillor Matthew Barber

100 days on... Today marks 100 days since the local and general elections. Here is the latest update on what's happening in the Vale... 

Green flag award for another year

For the 7th year running the Abbey Gardens in Abingdon, owned and maintained by the Vale District Council has been awarded Green Flag status by Keep Britain Tidy.  In addition to the fantastic gardens the neighbouring Abbey Meadows area is set for a major revamp including improvements to the outdoor swimming pool. 

Summer festivals

We're at the height of festival season, large and small, and many are supported by the Vale. Community groups can apply for grants of up to £1,000 to help support festivals and events in the district.  So far this year grants have been awarded to the Friends of Abingdon Heritage Weekend; Faringdon's Folly Fest; BBO Wildlife Trust One Day Festival and the Wantage Betjeman Festival. The Council can also assist with licencing and permissions. Click here for more details on how to apply.

Community Alcohol Partnership launched in Grove and Wantage

Organisations including King Alfred’s School, Vale District Council, Sweatbox, Thames Valley Police, and Wantage and Grove Street Pastors have joined forces to reduce teen drinking and associated anti-social behaviour.

A priority for the campaign is reducing the opportunities young people have to purchase alcohol. To assist with this, Waitrose have agreed to facilitate free training for independent retailers on responsible selling practises, including the ‘Challenge 25′ age-verification policy and how to spot fake ID.

Pressure from Oxford for even more housing

In last month's newsletter I reported on how the Vale is responding to the pressure to accommodate more housing in the Vale, this time because Oxford City is unable to deliver it's own housing target. Since then I have written to the Secretary of State asking him to compel the City Council to review their own Local Plan.  You can view my letter here.  I await a response from Government.  In addition the Vale's Cabinet is considering a report on how best to deal with this additional pressure.  The report will also be considered by the Council's Scrutiny Committee.

What does devolution mean for Oxfordshire?

There has been much talk recently about devolution, be it in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, or to local government. Oxfordshire County Council is proposing forming a 'strategic alliance' with Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire to seek additional funding from Government for strategic transport.  This falls short of a full devolution deal that the Government are encouraging. Councils within Oxfordshire, including the Vale, are looking at the potential benefits of such a devolution deal and are talking to Government about the options.  No doubt there will be more news on this in due course.

Celebrating The Queen's Birthday

In just a months time on 9th September Her Majesty The Queen will become Britain's longest-reigning monarch. This will undoubtedly be an event worth noting, but next year Her Majesty will also be celebrating her 90th birthday.  Grand national celebrations are planned and the Vale of White Horse will encourage and support community events across the district to celebrate these great occasions.  After the huge success of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations we are talking to the Town councils to help them organise events for everyone to enjoy.

The Vale's Corporate Plan

The Vale is beginning the process of reviewing it's Corporate Plan.  This rather dry subject sets out the strategic direction of the Council for the next few years. Residents will have the chance to contribute to the process when we launch a consultation later this year (expected to be October-November). 

Recycling Centres

Oxfordshire County Council is again considering the closure of recycling centres across the County. Whilst I recognise the financial challenges faced by the County Council and that improved kerb-side collections in recent years have changed the way we use recycling centres they remain valued community facilities.  Whilst this is a matter for the County Council the Vale restates it's support for the retention of recycling centres in the district for the benefit of all residents.

Councillors News - New Contacts Details for our Local Councillors

We said we would give residents contact details for our new local Councillors.

Town Councillors are:

Jeanette Halliday - phone 01235-522642 email jeanette.halliday@abingdon.gov.uk

David Pope - phone 07774242436 email david.pope@abingdon.gov.uk

District Councillors are:

Monica Lovatt - phone 01235-530538 email monicalovatt@whitehorsedc.gov.uk

Chris Palmer - phone 07801062624 email chris.palmer@whitehorsedc.gov.uk

Introducing our District Councillors:

Monica Lovatt - I met my husband in Abingdon in 1970.  We spent 15 years as an Army family with our three children leaving in 1988 to settle in Abingdon.  I worked as a Theatre Nurse in Oxford and have served on the Vale Council for eight years and the Town Council for 12 years.  I was Mayor of Abingdon in 2012/13.  My main interests on the Vale are health, housing and planning and on the Town Council as Chairman of the Museum Management Committee and a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

I have been a Governor of Fitzharrys and Carswell Schools and was involved with the Abbeyfield Society for 16 years as a volunteer on the Executive Committee at Oxenford House in Cumnor rising to a place on the national board. I am a volunteer Divisional Secretary with SSAFA-FH, a military charity.

I enjoy reading, travel and history.

Chris Palmer - I am a chemist by training and work on Milton Park for a CRO involved in medicinal chemistry research.  I have lived in Abingdon since January 2003.  In my spare time I enjoy photography and walking and am a member of the National Trust.  I am also a member of and deacon at Abingdon Baptist Church and for several years have coordinated our part in the nationwide shoebox appeal working with local schools and voluntary organizations.  In November 2011 I was appointed a Governor at John Mason School, where I serve on the Finance and Audit committees.  In May this year I was elected to the District Council to represent the Abingdon Fitzharris Ward which includes the area represented by TFLRA.  Already Monica and I have secured a vote on flood prevention on council.