Please particularly see information below about the Steeple Claydon Youth Club at The Phoenix, and the village hall surgery on 16th Feb.
Speeding
The Safer Roads and Neighbourhood policing teams carried out a successful operation in January where 28 tickets were issued to drivers in Buckingham, Winslow and Tingewick, 50% of which were local drivers! Enforcement operations are in place for
February and March.
Local crime statistics
In this newsletter I am comparing Oct, Nov and Dec 2009 against the same period in
2008. It shows overall all crime is up by 12(+36%), burglaries are up by 2 (+36%) and
vehicle crime is up by 3 (+80%). We have not had any robberies and anti-social
behaviour is down by 4 (-15%). When looking at the graph for overall crime for all of 2009 by month, from September 2009 onwards it has decreased each month.
Have your say
Don’t forget your opportunity to have your say in Steeple Claydon on 16 February 2010 11:00-12:30 in the village hall.
Steeple Claydon youth club
PCSO John Webb hasconfirmed the venue. It is The Phoenix. Opening dates and times will follow when confirmed. The siting of the multi-use games area and youth shelter is still being discussed. A new suggestion has been made to the steering group so the pro’s and con’s of this are being looked at.
ASB also includes anti-social owners of dogs. We have been working with the Dog Warden and joint patrols will commence to ensure any mess is cleared at the time by the dog’s owner. You have been warned!!
Countryside Event
This event is to take place on 15 May 2010 from 10:00-16:00 at Claydon House, Middle
Claydon by kind permission of Sir Edmund and Lady Verney. Put this date in your diary.
There will be a very comprehensive array of information, displays and examples to illustrate best methods to protect your property, land and animals from theft and
criminal damage. Claydon House will also be open for visitors, as will the shops in their Courtyard.
Winslow police office
Sadly we have not yet moved into the new office but the electrics, alarms and (most importantly) the heating is in. We are now awaiting delivery of something to sit on and sit at – when this happens we shall be there in a thrice!
New Year, new presents – keep them safe
How better than to start the new year with a resolution to keep your property safe.
Aylesbury Vale District Council and Thames Valley Police are working in partnership to keep burglary low by using property marking kits. For your free UV property marking kit contact the AVDC Customer Services Dept.
Claydon House
Claydon House Gardens
Tuesday 9 February 2010
Sunday 7 February 2010
AVDC Council tax rise 1.95% - lowest for 10 years
AVDC will keep its council tax increase in April to just five pence a week on its average Band D bill – despite the pressures on council finances as a result of the recession.
Last night’s (3 February) full council meeting agreed to a 1.95 per cent increase in Aylesbury Vale’s share of the council tax bill, meaning that it will now charge £131.07 a year for a Band D house, up £2.50.
This comes despite reductions in income from investments, a low government funding settlement, increasing fuel costs and lower income from fees and charges.
The council has looked at a range of options to balance the books. The budget has been reduced by more than £700,000 to meet the council’s initial budget gap of £1.1 million. Some of this has been found through efficiency reviews of each service. Other measures approved include:
Introducing charges for pre-planning advice
Making a small reduction in the amount of funding to voluntary and community groups
Removing council funding from events such as Parklife and Buckingham Festival Fortnight
Removing funding from the Reflex Gym in Winslow and the Buckingham Tourist Information Centre.
The salaries of all council employees has also been frozen for the coming financial year and there will be no increase in councillors’ allowances to help keep council tax down and protect key front-line services.
As part of the overall budget package, Buckingham is to get a new long-stay car park at Stratford Fields and more short-stay parking spaces at Cornwall’s Meadow. These improvements will be funded in part by the introduction of modest parking charges in Buckingham. The budget also provides for some free parking in the run-up to Christmas
Councillor Neil Blake, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “This is a budget which has been prepared with a great deal of prudence, care and consideration. We’ve worked very hard over the past few months to find savings in areas with the least impact on most Aylesbury Vale residents. We know many families across the district are feeling the pain of the current recession and we’ve kept council tax rises as low as we can because we know the last thing residents need at the moment is a hefty rise in council tax bills. We will continue to look for efficiencies, including working with other district councils to deliver further cost savings and to minimise the level of council tax in the future.”
The council’s net budget for 2010/11 is £20.7 million, with £8.8 million of that funded directly from local council taxpayers.
AVDC sends out the annual bills and collects the tax on behalf of the county council, the police, the fire and rescue service, plus local town and parish councils. Each individual authority decides by how much its part of the final bill will increase.
Services provided by the district council include refuse collections, recycling facilities, benefits, licensing, car parking and environmental health, with the £131.07 Band D charge amounting to less than 10 per cent of the overall council tax bill for residents in Aylesbury Vale.
The overall council tax charge for 2010/11 will be set on 24 February
Last night’s (3 February) full council meeting agreed to a 1.95 per cent increase in Aylesbury Vale’s share of the council tax bill, meaning that it will now charge £131.07 a year for a Band D house, up £2.50.
This comes despite reductions in income from investments, a low government funding settlement, increasing fuel costs and lower income from fees and charges.
The council has looked at a range of options to balance the books. The budget has been reduced by more than £700,000 to meet the council’s initial budget gap of £1.1 million. Some of this has been found through efficiency reviews of each service. Other measures approved include:
Introducing charges for pre-planning advice
Making a small reduction in the amount of funding to voluntary and community groups
Removing council funding from events such as Parklife and Buckingham Festival Fortnight
Removing funding from the Reflex Gym in Winslow and the Buckingham Tourist Information Centre.
The salaries of all council employees has also been frozen for the coming financial year and there will be no increase in councillors’ allowances to help keep council tax down and protect key front-line services.
As part of the overall budget package, Buckingham is to get a new long-stay car park at Stratford Fields and more short-stay parking spaces at Cornwall’s Meadow. These improvements will be funded in part by the introduction of modest parking charges in Buckingham. The budget also provides for some free parking in the run-up to Christmas
Councillor Neil Blake, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “This is a budget which has been prepared with a great deal of prudence, care and consideration. We’ve worked very hard over the past few months to find savings in areas with the least impact on most Aylesbury Vale residents. We know many families across the district are feeling the pain of the current recession and we’ve kept council tax rises as low as we can because we know the last thing residents need at the moment is a hefty rise in council tax bills. We will continue to look for efficiencies, including working with other district councils to deliver further cost savings and to minimise the level of council tax in the future.”
The council’s net budget for 2010/11 is £20.7 million, with £8.8 million of that funded directly from local council taxpayers.
AVDC sends out the annual bills and collects the tax on behalf of the county council, the police, the fire and rescue service, plus local town and parish councils. Each individual authority decides by how much its part of the final bill will increase.
Services provided by the district council include refuse collections, recycling facilities, benefits, licensing, car parking and environmental health, with the £131.07 Band D charge amounting to less than 10 per cent of the overall council tax bill for residents in Aylesbury Vale.
The overall council tax charge for 2010/11 will be set on 24 February
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Parish Councils share concerns about roads, drains and speeding
Last week I arranged a meeting for the parish councils of East and Steeple Claydon with a representative from Transport for Buckinghamshire to discuss the priority issues relating to potholes, roads, drains, and speeding in our villages. It was an opportunity to make sure that our concerns are known to those responsible. Unfortunately one impact of the recent adverse winter conditions is that the pothole situation in North Bucks has worsened still further, and only the most serious ones are being dealt with as a matter of priority. We toured the villages pointing out potholes, signs that need removing, replacing or just cleaning, issues related to damaged verges, and areas of dangerous speeding (including the straight stretch of road between East and Botolph Claydon past the school, where the council is considering additional traffic calming measures). We also discussed the problems of collapsed and blocked drains in Steeple Claydon in Challoners Hill and West Street.
I plan to follow this up with further meetings and contacts to ensure that our concerns about the state of the roads and speeding in our villages are addressed.
I plan to follow this up with further meetings and contacts to ensure that our concerns about the state of the roads and speeding in our villages are addressed.
New Shopmobility facility in Aylesbury
A £185,000 scheme to deliver a new Shopmobility facility for Aylesbury is underway.
Contractors moved onto site this week to prepare for the construction of a brand new purpose built unit in the Upper Hundreds multi-storey car park located off the High Street.
Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Shopmobility service provides manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters free of charge to help people with limited mobility to shop and use town centre facilities. It can be used by young or old no matter whether their disability is temporary or permanent.
The new premises will include a more user-friendly waiting room and there will be dedicated parking spaces for Shopmobility users. Pedestrian access will also be improved at the Britannia Walk entrance to Upper Hundreds car park and new female toilets will replace the current facilities.
It’s anticipated that the new Shopmobility facility will be opening in the summer. The service will continue to operate from its current premises in the Civic Centre car park until the new site is ready.
Due to the current works, the disabled bays in the Upper Hundreds car park have now been moved to the Civic Centre car park on the ground floor. However, Blue Badge holders may still park in the Upper Hundreds car park for free providing their parking card is validated by a parking officer.
Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “This is an exciting development which will ensure continued provision of mobility and enjoyment for residents and visitors to Aylesbury. Hopefully it will encourage more people with limited mobility to visit and use our town’s shops and facilities.”
To find out more about Shopmobility, call 01296 336725 or go to www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/shopmobility
Contractors moved onto site this week to prepare for the construction of a brand new purpose built unit in the Upper Hundreds multi-storey car park located off the High Street.
Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Shopmobility service provides manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters free of charge to help people with limited mobility to shop and use town centre facilities. It can be used by young or old no matter whether their disability is temporary or permanent.
The new premises will include a more user-friendly waiting room and there will be dedicated parking spaces for Shopmobility users. Pedestrian access will also be improved at the Britannia Walk entrance to Upper Hundreds car park and new female toilets will replace the current facilities.
It’s anticipated that the new Shopmobility facility will be opening in the summer. The service will continue to operate from its current premises in the Civic Centre car park until the new site is ready.
Due to the current works, the disabled bays in the Upper Hundreds car park have now been moved to the Civic Centre car park on the ground floor. However, Blue Badge holders may still park in the Upper Hundreds car park for free providing their parking card is validated by a parking officer.
Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “This is an exciting development which will ensure continued provision of mobility and enjoyment for residents and visitors to Aylesbury. Hopefully it will encourage more people with limited mobility to visit and use our town’s shops and facilities.”
To find out more about Shopmobility, call 01296 336725 or go to www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/shopmobility
Have your say on development in the Vale
Residents and interested parties are being invited to take part in the latest round of consultation on Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF).
All local councils must produce an LDF document which will set out proposals for the homes, offices and shops that they must plan for. Sitting at the heart of the framework is the Core Strategy, which sets out the council’s planning policies and identifies how it will plan for future development up to 2026.
In addition to the Core Strategy, which is subject to an independent examination starting in February, the council also has to develop a series of more detailed documents to show how some of the proposals and policies will be delivered. These are called Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). Between 20 January and 3 March, it will be possible to comment on the first three SPDs to be produced, which deal with the Aylesbury Growth Arc, Salden Chase and local conservation areas.
The “Aylesbury Growth Arc Masterplan and Delivery” SPD sets out a more detailed framework for this growth arc, which will accommodate 9,250 homes (including affordable housing) across three development areas: one to the north of Bierton between the A413 Buckingham Road and the A418 Wing Road; the second to the south of Bierton, north of the Grand Union Canal near Broughton Crossing; and the third to the north of Weston Turville between the A41 Aston Clinton Road and A413 Wendover Road. New schools are proposed in these areas along with new community facilities, transport infrastructure, open space and employment land.
The “Salden Chase Masterplan and Delivery” SPD sets out a more detailed framework for the proposed Salden Chase development area, which is located to the north east of Aylesbury Vale, north of Newton Longville. The site immediately lies between the A421 to the north, the disused railway line to the south and Far Bletchley to the east.
A total of 5,390 new houses, including affordable homes for local people, new road infrastructure, employment and community facilities are discussed in the draft masterplan for the development site. A new secondary school, four primary schools, open space, playing fields and wildlife habitats are also proposed.
The Conservation Areas SPD has been prepared to provide additional guidance on managing development within areas of special architectural or historic interest. The council has a duty to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of its conservation areas. This means that any new development should be carried out in a way that does not adversely affect these special characteristics.
Councillor Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “We really need the input from local residents on the more detailed approaches which will take forward the policies in the Core Strategy, once these are agreed by the independent inspector. It is very important to us that members of the public let us know how they want to see these new communities develop. We all need to work together to ensure that we create places we can all be proud to be part of. Please take time to read the draft documents and give us your comments, which are very important to us.”
Residents will be able to view the documents online by clicking on the link below and submit comments on the proposals using the online consultation form. Copies of the documents will also be available to view at the council offices in Aylesbury, Buckingham and Winslow and selected libraries. Anyone who has commented previously on the Core Strategy will receive a DVD containing all three SPDs and associated documents, through the post, at the start of the consultation period.
The council will also be holding a series of public exhibitions to inform people of the content and role of the documents on:
• Thursday 21 January, 3.30pm to 7pm at Longueville Hall, Newton Longville (focus on Salden Chase)
• Friday 22 January, 3.30pm to 7pm at Chepstow Drive Community Centre, Bletchley (focus on Salden Chase)
• Monday 25 January, 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Bedgrove Pavilion, Bedgrove (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Tuesday 26 January, 3pm to 7pm at Jubilee Hall, Bierton (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Thursday 28 January, 6pm to 9pm at Weston Turville Village Hall (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Friday 29 January, 3pm to 7pm at Watermead Village Hall (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Saturday 30 January, 10am to 4pm at the Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
All local councils must produce an LDF document which will set out proposals for the homes, offices and shops that they must plan for. Sitting at the heart of the framework is the Core Strategy, which sets out the council’s planning policies and identifies how it will plan for future development up to 2026.
In addition to the Core Strategy, which is subject to an independent examination starting in February, the council also has to develop a series of more detailed documents to show how some of the proposals and policies will be delivered. These are called Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). Between 20 January and 3 March, it will be possible to comment on the first three SPDs to be produced, which deal with the Aylesbury Growth Arc, Salden Chase and local conservation areas.
The “Aylesbury Growth Arc Masterplan and Delivery” SPD sets out a more detailed framework for this growth arc, which will accommodate 9,250 homes (including affordable housing) across three development areas: one to the north of Bierton between the A413 Buckingham Road and the A418 Wing Road; the second to the south of Bierton, north of the Grand Union Canal near Broughton Crossing; and the third to the north of Weston Turville between the A41 Aston Clinton Road and A413 Wendover Road. New schools are proposed in these areas along with new community facilities, transport infrastructure, open space and employment land.
The “Salden Chase Masterplan and Delivery” SPD sets out a more detailed framework for the proposed Salden Chase development area, which is located to the north east of Aylesbury Vale, north of Newton Longville. The site immediately lies between the A421 to the north, the disused railway line to the south and Far Bletchley to the east.
A total of 5,390 new houses, including affordable homes for local people, new road infrastructure, employment and community facilities are discussed in the draft masterplan for the development site. A new secondary school, four primary schools, open space, playing fields and wildlife habitats are also proposed.
The Conservation Areas SPD has been prepared to provide additional guidance on managing development within areas of special architectural or historic interest. The council has a duty to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of its conservation areas. This means that any new development should be carried out in a way that does not adversely affect these special characteristics.
Councillor Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “We really need the input from local residents on the more detailed approaches which will take forward the policies in the Core Strategy, once these are agreed by the independent inspector. It is very important to us that members of the public let us know how they want to see these new communities develop. We all need to work together to ensure that we create places we can all be proud to be part of. Please take time to read the draft documents and give us your comments, which are very important to us.”
Residents will be able to view the documents online by clicking on the link below and submit comments on the proposals using the online consultation form. Copies of the documents will also be available to view at the council offices in Aylesbury, Buckingham and Winslow and selected libraries. Anyone who has commented previously on the Core Strategy will receive a DVD containing all three SPDs and associated documents, through the post, at the start of the consultation period.
The council will also be holding a series of public exhibitions to inform people of the content and role of the documents on:
• Thursday 21 January, 3.30pm to 7pm at Longueville Hall, Newton Longville (focus on Salden Chase)
• Friday 22 January, 3.30pm to 7pm at Chepstow Drive Community Centre, Bletchley (focus on Salden Chase)
• Monday 25 January, 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Bedgrove Pavilion, Bedgrove (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Tuesday 26 January, 3pm to 7pm at Jubilee Hall, Bierton (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Thursday 28 January, 6pm to 9pm at Weston Turville Village Hall (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Friday 29 January, 3pm to 7pm at Watermead Village Hall (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Saturday 30 January, 10am to 4pm at the Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
Warning: Council Tax refund scam in the Vale
From the AVDC website:
Aylesbury Vale Residents are being urged to be on their guard against bogus officials offering to give council tax refunds.
People are being telephoned and told they may qualify for a refund and then asked for their bank account details so the payment can be made. In previous cases they have been asked for an administration fee too. A number of people in the Vale have already been targeted.
Jeff Membery, Revenues and Benefits Manager, said: “We have reported these incidences to Bucks Trading Standards but are concerned that other residents could fall for this scam and lose money. We urge everyone to be vigilant and not to give out any sensitive information to unknown callers, either on the phone or in person.”
Residents who receive any such approach should contact the Thames Valley Police on 0845 8505 505
Aylesbury Vale Residents are being urged to be on their guard against bogus officials offering to give council tax refunds.
People are being telephoned and told they may qualify for a refund and then asked for their bank account details so the payment can be made. In previous cases they have been asked for an administration fee too. A number of people in the Vale have already been targeted.
Jeff Membery, Revenues and Benefits Manager, said: “We have reported these incidences to Bucks Trading Standards but are concerned that other residents could fall for this scam and lose money. We urge everyone to be vigilant and not to give out any sensitive information to unknown callers, either on the phone or in person.”
Residents who receive any such approach should contact the Thames Valley Police on 0845 8505 505
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Steeple Claydon spire seen through oak trees
Map of Claydon Station
Meeting our local PCSO
Supporting our local businesses
With anti HS2 campaigners in Calvert