Hanborough Parish Council

14th December

Parish Council meetings

Due to the pandemic legislation was changed to allow for online meetings and we are currently not allowed to meet in person.  Councillors look forward to when face to face meetings can resume.  Public participation is encouraged as always and this can be by questions to the clerk or chair in advance, or by requests to speak.   All meetings are notified on the website and noticeboards as usual.  The clerk will share online joining instructions on request.

Become a Parish Councillor

Would you like to engage with your fellow residents and work to sustain and improve the quality of village life in Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough? As a Parish Councillor people regard you as responsible for things that happen locally. You will make a difference by influencing decisions that affect our village community. Being a Councillor is of course a commitment but highly satisfying.

Please contact the Parish Clerk to find out how you might get involved.

Playground ramp

The new ramp is open.  It's a great improvement on the old steps and provides a more accessible way through the area.  Councillors thanked Pye who's support was invaluable.

MUGA fence

Councillors have agreed to install a second entrance to the MUGA which will be at the opposite end from the current one.  Councillors have also agreed to raise the fence at the school end by 1.5 meters to help reduce the number of balls going over into the school grounds.  We anticipate that both projects will be completed early in the New Year.

Inclusive swing for the playground

The inclusive swing has been installed.  Thanks again to the residents who brought this idea to us and helped with choosing the most appropriate swing on the market.

Dogs, dogs dogs!

We love our four legged friends but if you own one please ask them to respect other users in common areas.  We still have dog mess to remove in the areas around the playground (dog mess is very dangerous for children and unpleasant for the rest of us).  No dogs are allowed in the fenced area of either the games area or playground, and definitely not, as reported recently, on the picnic tables.

Blenheim plans for the area

Blenheim attended the last council meeting to present strategic plans for the estate based around five initiatives to connect communities, use land for health benefits, put value on the natural land, move to carbon negative land management and create economic partnerships.

https://www.blenheimestate.com/land/

14th November

Parish Council meetings

Due to the pandemic legislation was changed to allow for online meetings and we are currently not allowed to meet in person.  Councillors look forward to when face to face meetings can resume.  Public participation is encouraged as always and this can be by questions to the clerk or chair in advance, or by requests to speak.   All meetings are notified on the website and noticeboards as usual.  The clerk will share online joining instructions on request.

Become a Parish Councillor

Would you like to engage with your fellow residents and work to sustain and improve the quality of village life in Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough? As a Parish Councillor people regard you as responsible for things that happen locally. You will make a difference by influencing decisions that affect our village community. Being a Councillor is of course a commitment but highly satisfying.

Please contact the Parish Clerk to find out how you might get involved. .

Playground steps

The steps from the carpark down into the BMX area are currently closed.  Please use an alternative route as we have had to remove a step as it was rotten through.

Parish Council have now approved a design for a new accessible ramp which will start from the carpark and curve down at a gentle gradient to join the Pit area behind the youth shelter.  Contractors have been instructed to start as soon as possible.  Councillors thanked Pye who are supporting the project.

MUGA fence damage

Once again one of the panels is being slowly pulled apart.  This is disappointing and very costly to replace.  Once the new ramp is in place our plan is to install a second entrance gate from the side nearest the Pit.

We will replace the damaged panel at the same time.  Council is also looking into options to raise the fence height at the school end as recovery of balls will be harder once the land is redeployed to the school.

Inclusive swing for the playground

The inclusive swing has been ordered after consultation with local parents.  We hope this will be installed in early December.

New playground

Parish Council has agreed to adopt the playground build by Pye on the new estate.  We are in the process of completing the necessary paperwork and are keen to open it as soon as possible.  It will be included in our weekly inspection regime.

Flooding at the railway bridge

This seems to be a regular re-occurrence and Council is working with both OCC and Thames Water to get a permanent resolution.  OCC have agreed to complete drain clearing and Thames Water are reviewing the pump station operations.

Dogs, dogs dogs!

We love our four legged friends but if you own one please ask them to respect other users in common areas.  We still have dog mess to remove in the areas around the playground (dog mess is very dangerous for children and unpleasant for the rest of us).  No dogs are allowed in the fenced area of either the games area or playground, and definitely not, as reported recently, on the picnic tables.

13th August

Playground steps

Parish Council approved a project to replace wooden steps into the BMX park with a ramp which will traverse the bank and then route behind the ramps to provide safer and separated access to the area.  The ramp is designed with all users in mind and we hope works will commence shortly.  This access point will be closed during these works.

Inclusive swing for the playground

The idea for a inclusive swing, suitable for use by children with a range of disabilities, was brought to council by a number of residents.  Councilors were very supportive of the idea and would like to gather views from residents who would be interested in discussing ideas and requirements.  Please contact the clerk in the first instance.

Riely Close recycling point

This area has been well used over the last few months and residents are congratulated on their recycling efforts.  We have been in, at times, almost daily contact with WODC about the state of the site which has been overwhelmed with waste, some of which appears to originate from business or from outside the parish.  Parish Council has come to the conclusion that it is a losing battle. 

Even after our persuading WODC to clear it three times per week, broken glass and other rubbish still accumulates; it can be dangerous as well as an eyesore.  Council has had concerns for many years about the location of the facility which seems inappropriate being close to the school and in a residential road.  We have looked for an alternative site in the parish without success.  

Many thanks for the feedback received to far, please take the opportunity to share your views by writing to the clerk at clerk@hanborough-pc.gov.uk

WODC recycling information

The Council’s overall aim is to reduce the amount of waste and recycling material. Recycling materials is preferable to placing them in the grey bin but the overall strategy is to reduce waste, the significant CO2 associated with collecting it and the cost to residents and council tax payers in West Oxfordshire.

In 2017 the council issued all residents with their own blue recycling bins as well as recycling boxes for glass which are collected from the kerbside bi-weekly.  Each household also has a food waste bin which is collected weekly.

Residents can make requests for larger blue bins and each one is dealt with on its merit. The guidance on this is that generally households with five or more residents may require additional recycling capacity. As a result, they can be issued with a larger blue bin with the smaller one removed. 

Also, the following recycling bins can be ordered and delivered free of charge on the council website - https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/request-bins-and-recycling-containers/.

7 litre food waste bin (internal) 

24 litre food waste bin (external)

55 litre recycling box (for glass)

There can be special circumstances when larger blue bins can be issued to households with fewer than five residents. An example would be to recycle cardboard used to deliver large quantities of medical products, etc.  If this is the case residents should call the council on 01993 861000.

In addition, for larger amounts of recycling, residents can use the Oxfordshire County Council facility at Dix Pit Household Waste and Recycling Centre, Linch Hill, Stanton Harcourt OX29 5BB which is open between 8am and 5pm every day and until 8pm on Thursdays.

15th July

New Parish Councillor 

I'm sure you will have seen my regular item here advertising a vacancy for Parish Councillor.  We are pleased to announce that Paul Mowat was coopted to council in July.  The current council will remain in place until May next year when there will be the opportunity to re-elect councillors.

Playground

The playground and out door gym have reopened and guidance posters have been displayed tp highlight he following:-

• Please maintain social distancing between yourself and others.
• Sanitise your hands before, during and after using the play equipment, especially after touching any of the equipment and/or access gates.
• Wipe equipment with anti-bac wipes before and after each use.
• Wash your hands thoroughly when you get home after visiting the play areas.
• No food or drink, and please dispose of all litter in bins provided or take your litter home with you.
• We will continue to follow government guidance on use.

Inclusive swing for the playground

The idea for a inclusive swing, suitable for use by children with a range of disabilities, was brought to council by a number of residents.  Councilors were very supportive of the idea and would like to gather views from residents who would be interested in discussing ideas and requirements.  Please contact the clerk in the first instance.

Riely Close recycling point

This area has been well used over the last few months and residents are congratulated on their recycling efforts.  We have been in, at times, almost daily contact with WODC about the state of the site which has been overwhelmed with waste, some of which appears to originate from business or from outside the parish.  Parish Council has come to the conclusion that it is a losing battle. 

Even after our persuading WODC to clear it three times per week, broken glass and other rubbish still accumulates; it can be dangerous as well as an eyesore.  Council has had concerns for many years about the location of the facility which seems inappropriate being close to the school and in a residential road.  We have looked for an alternative site in the parish without success.  

Councillors voted to request removal of the facility but before we do so, please take the opportunity to share your views on this decision by writing to the clerk at clerk@hanborough-pc.gov.uk

We propose to ask WODC to take the bins away and make the area into a properly marked out car park with cycle racks and possibly disabled parking spaces.

Parish Council S106 Presentation and survey results

Thank you to those who came along to the Presentation Day on 14th March and for your valuable feedback. We have analysed the feedback from 60 questionnaires and the results are 58% in favour of a longer term, larger, higher cost community centre for a wider section of the community, 21% in favour of an immediate, small, lower cost hall for use mainly by youth groups and 17% in favour of neither.

As 58% seemed a large enough percentage to give us the green light to move forward with the higher cost project, we have set up a small working party. If you are interested in being part of that working party, please contact Mike Franklin mikefranklin18@outlook.com

Anyone interested in moving this project forward is welcome but we would be particularly interested in anyone who has experience in project management, architecture, fundraising, law, finance, sport management, etc.

13th June

Parish Council meetings

Due to the pandemic legislation has been changed to allow for online meetings with the first held in May.  All meetings are notified on the website and noticeboards as usual.  Public participation is encouraged as always and this can be by questions to the clerk or chair in advance, or by requests to speak.  The clerk will share online joining instructions on request.

Playground

The playground and out door gym remain closed at the time of writing and we ask residents to continue to respect this closure.  In the mean time we have taken the opportunity to treat some weeds growing through the matting and in mid June the grass was cut in readiness for reopening when allowed.  

Many of you will also be aware of the major pruning to the large tree adjacent to the playground.  Although very severely reduced, we were pleased to be able to save this beautiful tree.

20mph zones

Our County Councillor is leading an initiative to roll out 20mph zone across the county where there is local support.  Please take time to contact him and let him know your thoughts either for or against.

Annual Parish Council financial audit

We are pleased to report that the annual internal audit is complete with no significant issues raised.  Councillors approved the accounting statements and these will be submitted for the second stage of the annual auditing process.

Riely Close recycling point

This area has been well used over the last few months and residents are congratulated on their recycling efforts.  We are working with WODC to increase the number of collections as the site is often overloaded.

12th May

Parish Council meetings and elections May 2020

Due to the pandemic the Parish Council and local elections due on 7^th May were deferred for a year. The current councillors will stay in post until next year.

We also had to cancel the Annual Parish Meeting which was originally to be in April. This will not take place this year.

The ordinary meeting in April was cancelled and legislation has now been changed to allow for online meetings with the first held in May. This and future meetings will be notified on the website and noticeboards as usual. Public participation is encouraged as always and this can be by questions to the clerk or chair in advance, or by requests to speak. The clerk will share online joining instructions on request.

MUGA area opening

This reopened on 13^th May as per government guidelines. Councillors discussed at length the pros, cons and risks of this opening, voicing concerns about adherence to social distancing. We urge users to follow the latest government distancing rules please. The playground and outdoor gym remain closed until further notice.

Highways maintenance

The current situation has brought some opportunities with OCC taking advantage of the quiet roads to complete a large number of pothole repairs. Other services have suffered from some delays and we are aware of issues with road sign repairs for example. Please continue to use the reporting link below to get jobs on the list for the council.

 

14th January

Hold the date

Councillors are keen to consult further with residents about ideas for making use of the s106 funds available to the parish from all the new developments.  We have been taking advice from WODC on the ideas collected so far and how to best engage with residents on these and as such are planning to hold a open day on 14^th March in the Pavilion.  Further details will be published here and through social media networks once finalised.

Hanborough cinema night – Downton Abbey

Friday February 14th - 7:30pm

Hanborough Pavilion, Playing Field, Long Hanborough

Tickets £5 at the door, Licensed Bar, Doors open 6:45pm

Come and enjoy a great Cinema night out at your local Village Pavilion

Become a Parish Councillor

We have a vacancy for a councillor.  Would you like to engage with your fellow residents and work to sustain and improve the quality of village life in Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough?

As a Parish Councillor people regard you as responsible for things that happen locally. You will make a difference by influencing decisions that affect our village community. Being a Councillor is of course a commitment but highly satisfying.

So if you are thinking of becoming a Councillor I would firstly encourage you to contact your Parish Clerk to find out how you might get involved.

Parish Clerk

We are pleased to report that the current clerk has decided to continue in role.  All contact details remain as they were.

Grit salt for public use

As with previous years, Council will provide a palette of grit salt for use by residents on public areas.  The salt will be stored in the Recreation Hall car park in the same area as previous years.  Please help yourself and seal the bag as best you can after use to stop a crust forming on the surface.

Fly tipping at the War Memorial

Sadly the area around the War Memorial is not considered immune from fly tipping and an old TV, sink and other rubbish has been dumped behind the hedges.  This seems to be incredibly disrespectful and we ask that whoever dumped it comes and retrieves it please.  Please be vigilant and let us know or dial 101 if you see anything being dumped in the parish.

On a similar vein, we are having to clear up dog mess from within the Multi Use Sports Area on the Astro Turf.  I'm not sure how much more I need to say on this! – please keep your dogs under control and out of this area. 

14th November report

Become a Parish Councillor

We have a vacancy for a councillor. Would you like to engage with your fellow residents and work to sustain and improve the quality of village life in Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough?

As a Parish Councillor people regard you as responsible for things that happen locally. You will make a difference by influencing decisions that affect our village community. Being a Councillor is of course a commitment but highly satisfying.

So if you are thinking of becoming a Councillor I would firstly encourage you to contact your Parish Clerk to find out how you might get involved.

Welcome Evening and Social 6th December at 7:30pm at The Pavilion
The Parish Council would like to welcome all new Hanborough residents and all existing residents to a social evening. There will be refreshments and the Social Club bar will be open.

The evening will also be an opportunity for village clubs and activities to have a stall/table to publicise and promote their club or activity.

Please see the full page advert elsewhere in the edition of the Herald.

Grit salt for public use
As with previous years, Council will provide a palette of grit salt for use by residents on public areas. The salt will be stored in the Recreation Hall car park in the same area as previous years. Please help yourself and seal the bag as best you can after use to stop a crust forming on the surface.

Fly tipping at the War Memorial
Sadly the area around the War Memorial is not considered immune from fly tipping and an old TV, sink and other rubbish has been dumped behind the hedges. This seems to be incredibly disrespectful and we ask that whoever dumped it comes and retrieves it please. Please be vigilant and let us know or dial 101 if you see anything being dumped in the parish.

Dog waste in the MUGA

We also seem to have dog owners that allow thier dogs to use the MUGA as a toilet!  Amazing.........

14th October

Become a Parish Councillor

We have a vacancy for a councillor. Would you like to engage with your fellow residents and work to sustain and improve the quality of village life in Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough?

As a Parish Councillor people regard you as responsible for things that happen locally. You will make a difference by influencing decisions that affect our village community. Being a Councillor is of course a commitment but highly satisfying.

So if you are thinking of becoming a Councillor I would firstly encourage you to contact your Parish Clerk to find out how you might get involved.

Hanborough Parish Council Parish Clerk

Our clerk is retiring at the end of the year and we are looking for a qualified (or willingness to work towards qualification) and experienced Parish Clerk with excellent administrative and organisational skills to manage the Council. The successful candidate will need a strong level of personal commitment, an enthusiasm for community life, good communication skills and an ability to deal with a range of issues.

This is a part-time position of 10 hours per week, working from home and to include some evening meetings. The Clerk will undertake the normal duties expected of a Parish Clerk and will job share with the Finance Officer who looks after finances, cemetery and allotments.

Please contact the clerk for a full job description. We will review applications through November with a view to appoint in January.

Pedestrian crossings

Council has now got commitment from OCC to make improvements to the Church Road crossing area. Many thanks to all those who raised this as a important issue.

Hanborough film nights – Fishermen's Friends

The first film in this winters series of Hanborough film will be Fishermen's Friends which is a wonderful film about an unconventional band from Cornwall. It will be shown at The Pavilion on 15^th November at 7:30pm. Doors open at 6:45pm and the bar will be open. Tickets £5.

Welcome Evening 6^th December at 7:30pm

Councillors are planning a Welcome Evening on 6^th December in The Pavilion.

The Parish Council would like to welcome all new Hanborough residents and all existing residents to a social evening. There will be refreshments and the Social Club bar will be open. The evening will also be an opportunity for village clubs and activities to have a stall/table to publicise and promote their club or activity.

Please see the full page advert elsewhere in the edition of the Herald.

Grit salt for public use

As with previous years, Council will provide a palette of grit salt for use by residents on public areas. The salt will be stored in the Recreation Hall car park in the same area as previous years. It will arrive in October. Please help yourself and seal the bag as best you can after use to stop a crust forming on the surface.

Fly tipping at the War Memorial

Sadly the area around the War Memorial is not considered immune from fly tipping and an old TV, sink and other rubbish has been dumped behind the hedges. This seems to be incredibly disrespectful and we ask that whoever dumped it comes and retrieves it please. Please be vigilant and let us know or dial 101 if you see anything being dumped in the parish.

14th September

Become a Parish Councillor

We have a vacancy for a councillor. Would you like to engage with your fellow residents and work to sustain and improve the quality of village life in Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough?

As a Parish Councillor people regard you as responsible for things that happen locally. You will make a difference by influencing decisions that affect our village community. Being a Councillor is of course a commitment but highly satisfying.

So if you are thinking of becoming a Councillor I would firstly encourage you to contact your Parish Clerk to find out how you might get involved.

Bus and Morris Museum

The last Council meeting started with an interesting talk about this fascinating local museum which tells the story of over one hundred years of travel in the region and the life of William Morris. It was noted that most visitors are from outside the area and they are keen to raise the profile locally. They also have opportunities for volunteers and will run local bus rides on December 8^th and 15^th. If you haven't been for a while, it's worth a visit.

Pedestrian crossings

Council is committed to do what's necessary to make the Church Road crossing safer. We are lobbying County Council to complete a safety audit as soon as possible so that the best course of action is taken and money spent is on improvements that are supported by expert guidance.

MUGA fence

Parish Council has replaced the fence panel at the astroturf football pitch as there is a hole cut by the goal. It's been suggested that the hole is to allow easier retrieval of balls and Council will consider installing a second entrance later in the year when we improve access to the playground by replacing the steps with a ramp. In other words, please don't cut a hole in the new panel, we will improve access!!

Welcome Evening 6^th December

Councillors are planning a Welcome Evening on 6^th December in The Pavilion. Further information will follow.

Cinema nights

Plans are underway to restart these in October when the dark nights return. Details will be displayed on the noticeboards and website as soon as they are agreed.

Grit salt for public use

As with previous years, Council will provide a palette of grit salt for use by residents on public areas. The salt will be stored in the Recreation Hall car park in the same area as previous years. It will arrive in October. Please help yourself and seal the bag as best you can after use to stop a crust forming on the surface,

Fly tipping at the War Memorial

Sadly the area around the War Memorial is not considered immune from fly tipping and an old TV, sink and other rubbish has been dumped behind the hedges. This seems to be incredibly disrespectful and we ask that whoever dumped it comes and retrieves it please. Please be vigilant and let us know or dial 101 if you see anything being dumped in the parish.

Let’s Talk Loneliness: unlocking the power of communities

Tuesday 8th October 2019 at 10:30am, Kings Centre, Oxford

This event is a real chance for everyone to join together and increase our understanding of loneliness across the life span and be further inspired to empower communities to take action.

Please find the event invitation and booking details here:

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/3742a45469be60018fcb5a611/files/59377df6-d849-40f4-9352-cd5b66a2b162/Loneliness_invitation.pdf

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch by email admin@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk or by phone: 01235 849434

14th August

Have your say on garden village proposals

A key element of the West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2031 is the establishment of a new garden village to the north of the A40 near Eynsham. It will be a new standalone settlement of 2,200 new homes and a new science business park which will give local people an alternative to driving to work in Oxford. In addition, the nearby Hanborough railway station together with a new Park and Ride facility to the north of Eynsham (expected to be open by 2020) will give people an alternative to using their cars.

A consultation has been launched on proposals for the Oxfordshire Cotswolds Garden Village.

Following initial consultation last year and taking account of various studies undertaken since then, the Council has published a ‘preferred options’ consultation paper which sets out current thoughts on how the garden village site should be taken forward.

Over the next eight weeks, residents and any other interested parties have the opportunity to comment on the preferred options before a final round of consultation takes place later in the year.

Exhibitions of the plans will be held at Eynsham Village Hall on 6 September and Hanborough Pavilion on 20 September. Both will run from 2-8pm.

The consultation will run until 11 October and can be downloaded here: https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/planning-policy/local-development-framework/garden-village/

Become a Parish Councillor

We have a vacancy for a councillor. Would you like to engage with your fellow residents and work to sustain and improve the quality of village life in Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough?

As a Parish Councillor people regard you as responsible for things that happen locally. You will make a difference by influencing decisions that affect our village community. Being a Councillor is of course a commitment but highly satisfying.

So if you are thinking of becoming a Councillor I would firstly encourage you to contact your Parish Clerk to find out how you might get involved.

MUGA fence

Parish Council (PC) has replaced the fence panel at the astroturf football pitch as there is a hole cut by the goal. It's been suggested that the hole is to allow easier retrieval of balls and Council will consider installing a second entrance later in the year when we improve access to the playground by replacing the steps with a ramp. In other words, please don't cut a hole in the new panel, we will improve access!!

Playground zip wire

By the time this is published the zip wire should be up and running again. The damage to this appeared to be as a result of vandalism and its been out of service for close to 6 months as a result. Please be vigilant and of you see anyone damaging the facilities please let us know or dial 101.

Let’s Talk Loneliness: unlocking the power of communities

Tuesday 8th October 2019 at 10:30am, Kings Centre, Oxford

This event is a real chance for everyone to join together and increase our understanding of loneliness across the life span and be further inspired to empower communities to take action.

Please find the event invitation and booking details here:

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/3742a45469be60018fcb5a611/files/59377df6-d849-40f4-9352-cd5b66a2b162/Loneliness_invitation.pdf

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch by email admin@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk or by phone: 01235 849434

15th July

Become a Parish Councillor

We have a vacancy for a councillor.  Would you like to engage with your fellow residents and work to sustain and improve the quality of village life in Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough?

As a Parish Councillor people regard you as responsible for things that happen locally. You will make a difference by influencing decisions that affect our village community. Being a Councillor is of course a commitment but highly satisfying.

So if you are thinking of becoming a Councillor I would firstly encourage you to contact your Parish Clerk to find out how you might get involved.

MUGA fence

Parish Council (PC) will be replacing a fence panel at the astroturf football pitch as there is a hole cut by the goal.  It's been suggested that the hole is to allow easier retrieval of balls and Council will consider installing a second entrance later in the year when we improve access to the playground by replacing the steps with a ramp.  In other words, please don't cut a hole in the new panel, we will improve access!!

Playground zip wire

The zip wire has been out of service for a while as the seat had been damaged.  This will be replaced shortly as the wrong part was initially sent.

Highways issues

Parish Council has been working with OCC Highways to see what can be done to improve safety at the Church Road zebra crossing.  A number of options are being considered and PC is pressing OCC to resolve this quickly.

Speeding in the parish remains a concern and PC has been talking to the Shipton under Wychwood speed watch scheme to better understand how they are set up and their experience with the equipment they use.

Council has received a grant of £450 towards cycling projects and we welcome suggestions on how it can be best used.

Thames Water (TW)

Parish Council has raised concerns with TW about the frequent sewerage spills from the pump station adjacent to the A4095 railway bridge.  This is considered totally unacceptable and concerns have been raised at a high level at TW and with our District Councillors.

Community Orchard

Councillors are exploring options and sites for a community orchard and welcome suggestions for locations