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News & News Archive

Wantage medical centre rated inadequate by health inspectors

on Tue, 20/12/2022 - 8:10am

Newbury Street Practice in Wantage has been labelled as "failing" & found to be "inadequate" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following an inspection visit by health inspectors in September.

The CQC placed the Newbury Street Practice into special measures, to be reviewed again in six months

It failed on safety, in providing effective services and required improvement in leadership.

Inspectors did however find that patients were treated with kindness and respect, there was a programme of quality improvement initiatives and a culture of continuous learning.

More here:-

The Star makes the Michelin Inspectors' Favourite New Restaurants 2022 list

on Fri, 16/12/2022 - 10:57am

Congratulations to all at The Star in Sparsholt, which has made the Michelin Inspectors' Favourite New Restaurants for 2022 list.

"Following a full refurbishment, the sister to The Woodspeen has a sleek, Scandic look. Modern dishes come with Mediterranean influences – and bedrooms in a converted barn mean you can make a night of it."

See the full list at The Michelin Guide <here>.


More info on The Star:-

Theft of heating oil

on Fri, 16/12/2022 - 9:52am

An Uffington resident has had a tankful of heating oil stolen.

This has been reported to the Police.

Some basic precautions are:

  • Fit a lock to the tank if you can.
  • Check the level regularly, looking for any unexpectedly large consumption.
  • If you see a vehicle fitted with tanks by a house, please check what it is doing, especially if the vehicle is not from one of the recognised regular oil delivery companies. 

Vale DC - Leaders Statement - 7 December 2022

on Wed, 14/12/2022 - 7:55pm
As ever, it has been a busy couple of months. 

Recent Cabinet Decisions 

At Cabinet meetings in November and December we made further progress towards our corporate objectives.  

A new Housing Delivery Strategy and Action Plan was adopted that sets out how we are already working to provide the homes that people need and how we increase the provision of social and truly affordable housing  A new timetable for the Joint Local Plan that will enable us to establish housing need in the Vale and increase the proportion of social housing was also agreed.   

Our commitments to working in partnership, being open and transparent are evident in our new Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. This document confirms our responsibilities in terms of the Equality Act but goes much further, setting out our inclusive approach and lets people know that this council values all residents and celebrates diversity.  

Cabinet confirmed our support for our voluntary sector partners delivering advice services to those struggling with the cost of living, with an extension of existing grant arrangements and a new approach to partnership funding to be brought forward as part of budget setting for next year. 

And we also reviewed the council’s latest Quarterly Performance and Climate Action Plan reports – which as you know are published www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/corporateplan . It is incredible how much this council is achieving despite the tight resources and increasing demand on our services.  

Holding Thames Water to Account 

Cllr Povolotsky and I called a meeting with representatives from Thames Water to challenge them about the number of significant leaks in the Vale. We raised several issues, not least the huge impact that a series of leaks causing closures on the A34 on people living in the Vale – and the traffic chaos that ensued. We secured a commitment to meet regularly to discuss solutions to matters of shared concerns and improve communication – planning applications are likely to be the focus for a meeting early next year.   

Oxfordshire-wide Partnership Progress 

At the Future Oxfordshire Partnership meeting, I welcomed a report mapping how constituent FOP partners are working to deliver the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision, feedback from the official launch of the Oxfordshire Nature Partnership, and ongoing work of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership. These agenda items demonstrate a positive evolution from the growth at all costs approach of the “Growth Board” of the past, to a more sustainable and balanced approach to development in our county.

Passing the baton to a New Council Leader 

As the council agenda suggested this is my final leader’s report. I am this evening announcing my resignation at council leader.  

I have accepted an offer of full-time employment for a local charity and will no longer be able to give the role of Council Leader the time and attention it deserves. 

It was an incredibly difficult decision to make as I have absolutely loved being the leader of the Vale Lib Dem Group, and the Leader of the Vale of White Horse District. It is genuinely a role like no other and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past 4 years. 

I would like to thank every single member and every single officer for the work you do, day in, day out on behalf of our residents. I have learnt a huge amount working with Mark Stone and the Senior Management team, our officers really are the best. My group have been wonderfully supportive. I am especially grateful to my cabinet for your work, challenge, and guidance.  

Thank you to opposition members for your support and scrutiny. I have lost count of the times people have commented on how respectful and civil our council chamber is compared to other councils’. As politics should be, and long may that continue.   

Together, we have made real progress in stabilising the council’s financial position, supported our communities through a global pandemic, and have put tackling the climate emergency at the heart of our decision making.  

I will continue to serve the council as councillor for Botley and Sunningwell Ward and look forward to supporting my successor with the next stage of our council’s journey.

Cllr Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council

From an article of the Vale's website; see the original <here>.

Cllr Bethia Thomas elected as new Leader at the Vale DC

on Wed, 14/12/2022 - 7:51pm

Cllr Bethia Thomas is the new Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council. She was chosen by councillors during a vote at the Council meeting last night (7 December).

Her election as Leader comes after Cllr Emily Smith chose to stand down having led the council since the local elections in 2019.

Cllr Thomas, who was deputy leader and is a ward member for Faringdon, has been a district councillor in Vale of White Horse District Council since 2019, and has served on the Cabinet since her election, as Cabinet Member for community engagement.  

Cllr Neil Fawcett has become the new deputy leader of the council, following Cllr Thomas’s election to leadership

Cllr Thomas paid tribute to Cllr Smith and said: “I’m very proud to have been chosen as Cllr Smith’s successor. Emily has done an excellent job as Leader and I would like to pay tribute to her for her dedication and hard work leading the Council over the past three and a half years.

“Her leadership helped steer the council through the very difficult times of the pandemic while providing vital support to the most vulnerable members of our community.

“She was instrumental in the council declaring a climate emergency and has made tackling climate at the heart of all we do.

“All this while managing the council’s financial situation and helping deliver the affordable homes that our district needs.” 

Cllr Smith became leader of the council after the change of administration at the 2019 election. She has been a member of the council since 2015, representing the Botley and Sunningwell ward, which she will continue to do.

Cllr Emily Smith said: “It’s been a privilege to serve the residents of the Vale as leader of the council. It was a difficult decision to stand down, but I have a personal work opportunity that means I felt like I wouldn’t be able to give the important responsibilities of Leader the time and attention they deserve. I will continue to represent my neighbours in Botley and Sunningwell on the council and I look forward to doing so.”

Cllr Thomas’s new role as Leader and Cllr Smith’s resignation mean there are some changes in the Council’s cabinet. They are as follows:

  • Cllr Bethia Thomas: Council Leader and Community engagement 
  • Cllr Andy Crawford: Finance and corporate assets
  • Cllr Neil Fawcett: Deputy Council Leader and strategic partnerships and place
  • Cllr Debby Hallett: Corporate services and transformation
  • Cllr Helen Pighills: Healthy communities
  • Cllr Sally Povolotsky: Climate emergency, the environment and technical services
  • Cllr Judy Roberts: Development, infrastructure and development management

From an article on the Vale's website; see the original <here>.

David Johnston MP - December 2022

on Fri, 09/12/2022 - 2:57pm

The run up to Christmas in Parliament has involved lots of debate about the Levelling Up Bill and changes to the planning system. As Michael Gove’s PPS at the Department for Levelling Up, the rules mean I've not been able to comment about this publicly, but the Bill will do many important things, like end the requirement for councils to demonstrate a ‘5-year land supply’ if they have an up-to-date local plan. There was a lot of debate about housing targets set by central government. Targets have their place, but the way in which they have operated has too often forced homes into areas where local people feel they are not needed.

Under the changes, while there will still be central calculations for housing numbers, they will be advisory, and local authorities will determine how many homes can be built, taking into account what should be protected in that area, from the Green Belt to heritage assets.

Areas that have ‘overdelivered’ on their housing numbers, which has often been the case with South Oxfordshire and the Vale, will be able to make the case to lower the number they need to plan for.

The Government will also consult on allowing councils to refuse applications from developers who have built too slowly; end the duty that lets cities impose their housing needs on surrounding areas; and will look at further measures to incentivise brownfield land being built on over greenfield land. These are all things that are very welcome for this area.

As you may have seen I am supporting the new Cornermen initiative down at South Moreton Boxing Club to help tackle mental health problems among men. Too often men bottle up their feelings instead of talking about them and it's part of the reason they have a higher suicide rate than women. Steve and John are getting men down to the club to try boxing and talking to them while they do it, referring them to services as appropriate. They'll even pick them up. It's a very worthwhile cause and I was pleased to get the BBC down to cover it, filming me throw some punches myself!

Some other things in brief. I've been campaigning on behalf of the AEAT Pensioners locally and have secured a breakthrough for them - watch this space! I'm working to support access to cash in Wallingford, which has been chosen as 1 of 12 pilot areas for new approaches to access cash. I've brought Sharon Gaffka who campaigns on drink spiking, with 16-year-old Niamh, who came to see to campaign against negative behaviour from boys and men, together to join forces and am pleased Sharon will help Niamh. I've had a series of enjoyable visits to Parliament from schools like Wallingford School, Drayton Community Primary and Aureus School as well as Ukrainian refugees in recent months - do get in touch if you'd like to bring a group down. Have a Merry Christmas!

As ever, if I can help with anything then do contact me via [email protected]


 

Photos from the WoWS Christmas Wreath Making 2022

on Mon, 05/12/2022 - 10:17am

Photos from the WoWS Christmas Wreath Making 2022.

Click the image to see them all.

More about WoWS <here>.

 

Oxfordshire County Council budget proposals - Have your say

on Thu, 01/12/2022 - 3:05pm

Oxfordshire County Council are facing tough choices, with a funding shortfall of at least £44 million in 2023/24.

Your views on their budget proposals count. 

Have your say on their budget here:-

Cost of Living support information

on Sat, 26/11/2022 - 6:27pm

If you’re struggling with the increased cost of living, the Vale have put together a handy leaflet that explains what support you can get from the council and advice on other local and national organisations that may also be able to help.  

There’s more information on their website - whitehorsedc.gov.uk/costofliving


Residents Asked For Views on Policing and Crime

on Sat, 26/11/2022 - 6:23pm

The Police & Crime Commissioner has launched an anonymous online survey, giving residents an opportunity to share their views and experiences of policing and crime.

The survey asks for views about how safe residents feel in their local area, their experience of both crime and the police as well as questions on the future funding of policing.

Matthew Barber said: “Part of my role is to ensure there is a clear focus on the priorities that matter most to the public. I want to gain a real understanding of how crime is affecting communities, whether it is direct experiences of crime or issues that may be causing you concern in your local area. I also want to hear your feedback, whether good or bad, on policing; what the police are doing well and areas you think could be improved.

“To help me build up a picture across the Thames Valley, the survey will be available on my website all year round. It will provide an ongoing mechanism for people to share their views and keep me informed. Whether or not you have directly experienced a crime, I would encourage you to use the survey to share your feedback and tell me what is important to you. Your views will help shape the future of policing in the Thames Valley.”

To complete the survey, please visit the PCC webpage (click).
 
If you are not able to complete the survey online or need support in doing so, please call the Office of the PCC on 01865 541957 or email [email protected].

The survey will remain open for responses throughout the year. Responses will remain anonymous and confidential.

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