AVDC offers free swimming for the over 60's

Older residents will be able to enjoy free swimming in Aylesbury Vale from 1 April onwards.

Aylesbury Vale District Council has signed up to a free swimming initiative, which entitles all those aged 60 and over to free swimming during all casual sessions.

Free swims will be available at both the Aqua Vale Swimming and Fitness Centre in Aylesbury and the Swan Pool in Buckingham.

Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We are determined to do all we can to improve the health and quality of life of our residents. Offering free swimming is a great way to help people who are over 60 to stay fit and active.

“I want to encourage everyone eligible to dive in and take advantage of this fantastic offer. It’s not often that you get something for free, particularly in the current economic climate.”

AVDC is one of almost 300 councils across England to take part in the government’s free swimming scheme. The £140 million programme is a central part of plans to ensure a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A grant from the Department of Culture Media and Sport will cover the loss of income from the over 60s; although the grant funding is only for two years so the council will have to review the situation in 2011.

Anyone aged 60 or over who wants to take advantage of the scheme will need to bring proof of age and identity with them to the swimming pools on their first visit. Customers will then be issued with a card to show each time they visit the pools.

I hope that many of our older residents will take advantage of this - it's a great way to keep fit and healthy

Small Business Rate Relief

Less than 50% of small businesses eligible for small business rate relief are actually applying for it. Could you be missing out ?

From the AVDC website:

From the 1 April 2007 businesses with small, or low value premises are entitled to a reduction to the business rates usually charged.

A small business rate relief is available at 50% for ratepayers occupying single properties with a Rateable Value (RV) up to £5,000, with relief declining in percentage terms on a sliding scale, until at £10,000 RV it is 0%. Relief can only be allowed on one property and is only available to ratepayers with either:-

One property with a RV less than £15,000; or
One main property and other additional properties, each of which has a RV under £2,200, where the aggregate RV is less than £15,000.

Applications for relief must be received before the 30 September of the following year. An essential criterion is that the applicant must be an eligible ratepayer on 1 April of the year for which rate relief is sought. If a ratepayer ceases to be eligible on a given day, the relief will cease from that day.

For further information see the AVDC website at the following link:
http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/business/relocating-to-aylesbury-vale/business-rates/sbrr/

The Conservative Party has confirmed that if we win the next election, a Conservative Government would make Small Business Rate Relief automatic. That means scrapping the forms and bureaucracy of handling thousands of claims. It also means providing the help straight away, cutting the fixed overheads of small businesses each and every year.

When taken alongside our plans to cut small company corporation tax rates and reduce the payroll taxes of the smallest employers, this measure is another sign that, as a party, Conservatives are on the side of enterprise.

New Aylesbury Theatre on time and within budget

Major milestone for Aylesbury’s new theatre

The construction of the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre reached another milestone on Thursday (26 March) as the structural wooden beams which support the roof and glazed exterior arrived on site.
Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council, and Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, were on site to welcome the delivery and see the first beams being offloaded.
Made from Larch wood sourced from a sustainable forest in Finland, the beams have been commissioned by main contractor Willmott Dixon specifically for the theatre project.
There are 106 beams in total, ranging in height from seven to 12 metres, which the architect designed to represent the Chiltern Hills and surrounding woodland areas. The beams will be installed over the next few weeks with the last beam expected to be in place in June.
Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “It is great to see the progress being made with the new theatre and the installation of the structural beams will be another giant step towards our goal of creating a first class venue for the Vale. The Aylesbury Waterside Theatre will have a huge cultural significance for the district and I’m very much looking forward to the completion of the building in 2010.”
Mark Chamberlain, Project Director for Willmott Dixon, said: “This is a pivotal stage in the project development. People have seen the concrete frame rise above the hoardings and now they will begin to see the theatre evolve and take shape. The arrival of the beams for us signifies the start of the next stage and we are really looking forward to translating all the plans and artistic impressions
into reality.”
Around 300,000 people from across Aylesbury Vale and beyond are expected to visit the new theatre each year to enjoy a dynamic and diverse programme of live performances. The programme will be an exciting mix of West End shows, comedy, dance, concerts, gigs, pantomime, as well as international opera and ballet.
The concept for the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was developed by AVDC and internationally-renowned theatre designers, RHWL Arts Team. The venue will have a 1,200-seat auditorium that converts into a 1,800-capacity hall for standing events, and a 225-seat suite for smaller events including dance, drama, meetings and conferences.
Building work started in 2007 and is on course to be completed in 2010. The venue will be managed by the Ambassador Theatre Group, who run the very successful Milton Keynes Theatre.
The theatre is part of AVDC’s Waterside scheme – an ambitious project to redevelop Aylesbury town centre, which will also create a new shopping area in Exchange Street, including a department and food store, as well as housing developments alongside the canal and at Circus Field.

Which is your favourite pub ?

Search is on to find Aylesbury Vale’s best village pub

Pubgoers in Aylesbury Vale have the chance to nominate their local for a prestigious award.
The 2009 Village Pub Competition, organised by Aylesbury Vale District Council, aims to reward the best rural pubs in the district.
The council runs the award every year in memory of the late Councillor Ted Payne and to recognise the important role that village pubs play in community life, especially if there are few other local meeting places.
Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “Like post offices and village stores, the local pub can often be an essential part of the fabric of the community, especially in rural and remote areas. The pub trade is going through a difficult time at the moment and we need to do what we can to help support rural pubs. This competition will help us to raise the profile and importance of pubs in the community and encourage people to visit their local more often.”
As well as the overall title of Aylesbury Vale Village Pub of the Year, prizes for best food pub and best community pub are also up for grabs.
Previous winners of the pub of the year title include the Unicorn at Cublington, the Queen’s Head at Wing and the George and Dragon at Quainton.
Nomination forms are available online at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/pubcomp or from pubs across the district. The closing date for entries is 31 May, with the winners being announced later this year.

Social Care Surgery in Buckingham 7th April

From the Bucks CC Adult Social Care department:

For your information an event in your local area

A local Social Care Surgery will be held at The Buckingham Centre on 7.4.09 between 10.00am -1.00pm. This will enable residents of the local area a chance to “drop in” for advice and guidance on services provided by Adult Social Care and the local voluntary organisations.

The Surgeries are also working in close partnership with Thames Valley Police and a local PCSO will also be attending to provide crime prevention and reduction advice.

Also the Local Area Technician from the highways department will be available to discus any issues related to the roads in the local area.

For more details and information please do not hesitate to contact Karen Adamson on 01296 383847. Please feel free to drop by and any feedback would be gratefully received.

VAHT lets historic cottages in Steeple Claydon

From the Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust website:

The Trust has just brought four additional properties into our housing stock. Originally built in 1864, the four terraced cottages in Steeple Claydon have been totally refurbished and have been let to three new tenants, with the fourth awaiting a decision.

These are the first properties that we have added since the transfer in 2006 and signal the start of our programme of development of more homes for the future. Over the next year we plan to add a further 60 properties across the Vale, working with the Guinness Partnership.