Claydon House
Claydon House Gardens
Monday, 16 July 2012
More good news on East West Rail
From an AVDC press release:
Aylesbury Vale District Council has welcomed news that the East-West Rail project is included in the government’s rail investment programme for 2014 to 2019.
The plan will restore a disused line between Oxford and Bedford, featuring a stop at Winslow and a spur line down to Aylesbury, and also stops at Bicester, Bletchley and Milton Keynes.
Journey times from Aylesbury to Milton Keynes will be just 33 minutes.
The economic effects of the new rail link, planned for opening by 2017, could be to generate up to 12,000 jobs along the route and increase opportunities for businesses to invest.
Councillor Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “The council welcomes the commitment by government to investment in the rail network in Aylesbury Vale. The restoration of this strategic transport corridor will benefit the economic potential of our district by linking us with key centres of economic activity.
“Continued investment is essential to ensure we remain competitive. We must continue to attract inward investment and grow our existing businesses. As well as delivering long-term sustainable economic growth, this project will create jobs in the short to medium term in sectors such as construction, manufacturing and engineering.”
Today’s government announcement follows the decision by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his November 2011 Autumn Statement that East-West rail funding of £270 million would be made available, providing the promoter of the scheme, the East West Rail Consortium, of which AVDC is a partner, met two conditions.
The first requirement was a strong business case for the route. The case put forward by the East-West Rail Consortium along with the Department for Transport and Network Rail was accepted as robust.
The second condition was for a commitment by local authorities along the route to
contribute to the cost; a ‘commitment in principle’ to contribute £50 million between them over a period of 15 to 20 years from 2014 onwards has been agreed by the western section members of the consortium.
The consortium is now working with Department for Transport and Network Rail to implement the necessary development work to ensure the target re-opening of the western section of the east west line is met by 2017.
Friday, 29 June 2012
New bins are on their way
Refuse collection
The quest to improve recycling in Aylesbury Vale is set to begin with the start of the roll out of new recycling bins.
Aylesbury Vale District Council will be delivering the new bins over a six to eight week period starting on 10 July. All households will receive them, except those who live in flats or those whose home is not suitable for bins.
The new bins will be accompanied by an information pack explaining a new, improved kerbside collection service that goes live from Tuesday 4 September.
Residents will receive letters this week, advising them that their new bins are about to be delivered.
Each household will receive a large 240-litre recycling wheeled bin (with a blue hinged lid) for all paper, glass, cardboard, plastics, cans and tins, which will be mixed together. This means residents will only have to store a single bin for all these materials and won’t have to separate them.
By providing a bigger bin and collecting cardboard for the first time, this will increase the volume of recycling collected. AVDC is aiming to increase recycling amounts from around 21 per cent in 2012 to over 50 per cent in 2014. Recycling collections will continue to be made every fortnight.
Food waste will be collected separately, every week. Each household will receive a small bin, with a handle to lock the lid, which will stop any smells escaping, and prevent insects and vermin getting in. The contents will be collected weekly and go to an anaerobic digestion plant, where methane gas will generate electricity.
Households will also be supplied with a kitchen caddy, to collect food scraps in. Local residents have helped the council choose what type of bins will work best for them.
As part of the changes, the rounds will be reorganised over four days (Tuesday to Friday), rather than five. The main advantage for customers is that whenever there are bank holidays on a Monday, there will be no disruption to the collection service. This means that the only collection dates that will change will be at Christmas and New Year, and after Good Friday.
The residual household waste (non-recyclable materials) will be collected in the existing green refuse bins. These collections will be made on alternate weeks, fitting in between the recycling collections. Households of five or more people may request a larger green refuse bin.
Since April, a new paid-for garden waste collection service has been available in some parts of the Vale. From September 2012, the service will be available for the remainder.
Households will receive a large 240-litre brown bin, emptied every fortnight between February and November. The cost is £36 a year, paid annually by direct debit.
This new scheme will replace the free brown bin service currently operating in Winslow and Buckingham when the four-day week collections start in September. The last free brown bin collection will be on 29 August.
People who live in properties that are not suitable for bins and who currently use black sacks will receive new sacks: purple for general waste and transparent blue for the new mix of recycling materials. They will also receive the new food waste bin and kitchen caddies, which will be delivered between 2 and 13 July.
Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said: “The delivery of the new bins marks the first visible change to our recycling and waste collection scheme. We ask that residents continue to use their existing bins, baskets or bags until the end of August. We can’t empty the new bins until we start the new collection service in September. Everyone needs to keep hold of their new collection calendars as these hold the collection dates for the next year.”
For more information about the new collection service or how to reduce your waste, visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/newbins or call 01296 585510.
The quest to improve recycling in Aylesbury Vale is set to begin with the start of the roll out of new recycling bins.
Aylesbury Vale District Council will be delivering the new bins over a six to eight week period starting on 10 July. All households will receive them, except those who live in flats or those whose home is not suitable for bins.
The new bins will be accompanied by an information pack explaining a new, improved kerbside collection service that goes live from Tuesday 4 September.
Residents will receive letters this week, advising them that their new bins are about to be delivered.
Each household will receive a large 240-litre recycling wheeled bin (with a blue hinged lid) for all paper, glass, cardboard, plastics, cans and tins, which will be mixed together. This means residents will only have to store a single bin for all these materials and won’t have to separate them.
By providing a bigger bin and collecting cardboard for the first time, this will increase the volume of recycling collected. AVDC is aiming to increase recycling amounts from around 21 per cent in 2012 to over 50 per cent in 2014. Recycling collections will continue to be made every fortnight.
Food waste will be collected separately, every week. Each household will receive a small bin, with a handle to lock the lid, which will stop any smells escaping, and prevent insects and vermin getting in. The contents will be collected weekly and go to an anaerobic digestion plant, where methane gas will generate electricity.
Households will also be supplied with a kitchen caddy, to collect food scraps in. Local residents have helped the council choose what type of bins will work best for them.
As part of the changes, the rounds will be reorganised over four days (Tuesday to Friday), rather than five. The main advantage for customers is that whenever there are bank holidays on a Monday, there will be no disruption to the collection service. This means that the only collection dates that will change will be at Christmas and New Year, and after Good Friday.
The residual household waste (non-recyclable materials) will be collected in the existing green refuse bins. These collections will be made on alternate weeks, fitting in between the recycling collections. Households of five or more people may request a larger green refuse bin.
Since April, a new paid-for garden waste collection service has been available in some parts of the Vale. From September 2012, the service will be available for the remainder.
Households will receive a large 240-litre brown bin, emptied every fortnight between February and November. The cost is £36 a year, paid annually by direct debit.
This new scheme will replace the free brown bin service currently operating in Winslow and Buckingham when the four-day week collections start in September. The last free brown bin collection will be on 29 August.
People who live in properties that are not suitable for bins and who currently use black sacks will receive new sacks: purple for general waste and transparent blue for the new mix of recycling materials. They will also receive the new food waste bin and kitchen caddies, which will be delivered between 2 and 13 July.
Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said: “The delivery of the new bins marks the first visible change to our recycling and waste collection scheme. We ask that residents continue to use their existing bins, baskets or bags until the end of August. We can’t empty the new bins until we start the new collection service in September. Everyone needs to keep hold of their new collection calendars as these hold the collection dates for the next year.”
For more information about the new collection service or how to reduce your waste, visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/newbins or call 01296 585510.
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Keeping in touch with local residents
I am proud of the fact that AVDC has maintained high quality local services despite budget challenges, and in particular that it has managed to freeze Council Tax two years running.
We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area as the Claydons and as your District Councillor I have been actively engaged in protecting our villages from threatened new developments.
One is the new Energy from Waste Incinerator at Calvert. I have opposed the proposal to build the incinerator before the new access road from the A41 was completed, and I shall continue to fight on your behalf to minimise its impact on our villages if it does go ahead.
Another is the High Speed Two railway, the proposed route of which passes near Steeple Claydon. As well as the railway itself, there is an Infrastructure Maintenance Depot planned along the north side of the East-West line, to be used for the construction of the line. I am very concerned about the effects of this, and I have been involved in setting up a Steeple Claydon HS2 Action Group, in order to ensure that our residents are informed and able to make their voices heard. We have already been able to raise our concerns with High Speed Two Ltd at the first Community Forum held in Steeple Claydon.
I have also taken a close concern in the more everyday issues which affect our daily lives, such as the state of our roads and pavements, the provision of salt bins and dog bins, the number of HGVs going through our villages, the problem of speeding vehicles and the impact of planning applications.
Some new developments are welcome. I am glad that there are some new building projects underway to provide more affordable housing in our villages, so that our local residents who are looking to own their own homes have the chance of staying in their home surroundings. I welcome AVDC’s support for better broadband in the villages and its support for small businesses through its grants programmes and the Enterprise and Innovation Centre. I am also in full support of the plans for a new Free Secondary School in Winslow to increase the choice for parents in north Bucks.
It has been a great pleasure to be involved in many social activities around the Claydons, and I am so impressed by the number of residents who are prepared to give their time and energies to community activities and organisations. In this Jubilee
and Olympic Year we have much to celebrate together.
We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area as the Claydons and as your District Councillor I have been actively engaged in protecting our villages from threatened new developments.
One is the new Energy from Waste Incinerator at Calvert. I have opposed the proposal to build the incinerator before the new access road from the A41 was completed, and I shall continue to fight on your behalf to minimise its impact on our villages if it does go ahead.
Another is the High Speed Two railway, the proposed route of which passes near Steeple Claydon. As well as the railway itself, there is an Infrastructure Maintenance Depot planned along the north side of the East-West line, to be used for the construction of the line. I am very concerned about the effects of this, and I have been involved in setting up a Steeple Claydon HS2 Action Group, in order to ensure that our residents are informed and able to make their voices heard. We have already been able to raise our concerns with High Speed Two Ltd at the first Community Forum held in Steeple Claydon.
I have also taken a close concern in the more everyday issues which affect our daily lives, such as the state of our roads and pavements, the provision of salt bins and dog bins, the number of HGVs going through our villages, the problem of speeding vehicles and the impact of planning applications.
Some new developments are welcome. I am glad that there are some new building projects underway to provide more affordable housing in our villages, so that our local residents who are looking to own their own homes have the chance of staying in their home surroundings. I welcome AVDC’s support for better broadband in the villages and its support for small businesses through its grants programmes and the Enterprise and Innovation Centre. I am also in full support of the plans for a new Free Secondary School in Winslow to increase the choice for parents in north Bucks.
It has been a great pleasure to be involved in many social activities around the Claydons, and I am so impressed by the number of residents who are prepared to give their time and energies to community activities and organisations. In this Jubilee
and Olympic Year we have much to celebrate together.
Have your say on local health issues
‘Health Matters’ to the Aylesbury Vale Clinical Commissioning Group.
Aylesbury Vale Commissioning Group (AVCCG) is holding a public event on 21st June to talk about local health issues with members of the public.
The introduction of clinical commissioning means that GPs will work together with the public, other partners and health professionals to plan and design healthcare.
AVCCG, a group of local clinicians which is taking on new decision-making and budgetary powers, is keen to listen and work together with patients and local groups to look at local health issues and to understand what is important to local people.
The North Locality represents patients from all of the GP surgeries in Buckingham, Winslow, Steeple Claydon, Whitchurch and Wing.
Dr Rebecca Pryse, who has been a GP at North End Surgery in Buckingham for 12 years and is the North Locality Clinical lead said:
“We have been working with some members of our surgery patient participation groups over the past year. Since January some patients have started attending our meetings but we would like to broaden our engagement with our patients and explain what Clinical Commissioning and the changes to the NHS are about at a local level.”
“We really want to know what people think about improving health in Buckinghamshire. These meetings will help to shape the way healthcare is delivered. We aim to ensure that the planning of healthcare by GPs and other health professionals reflects local views and needs. This means we need to work more closely with local people and the groups that represent them. The events we are holding in north Buckinghamshire are a great opportunity to kick-start this process.”.
The North Locality event will take place on:
Thursday 21st June 7-9pm
The Winslow Centre, Park Road, Winslow MK18 3RB
For more information contact 08456 590 706
or email feedback.AVCCG@buckinghamshire.nhs.uk
Come along and have your say.
Aylesbury Vale Commissioning Group (AVCCG) is holding a public event on 21st June to talk about local health issues with members of the public.
The introduction of clinical commissioning means that GPs will work together with the public, other partners and health professionals to plan and design healthcare.
AVCCG, a group of local clinicians which is taking on new decision-making and budgetary powers, is keen to listen and work together with patients and local groups to look at local health issues and to understand what is important to local people.
The North Locality represents patients from all of the GP surgeries in Buckingham, Winslow, Steeple Claydon, Whitchurch and Wing.
Dr Rebecca Pryse, who has been a GP at North End Surgery in Buckingham for 12 years and is the North Locality Clinical lead said:
“We have been working with some members of our surgery patient participation groups over the past year. Since January some patients have started attending our meetings but we would like to broaden our engagement with our patients and explain what Clinical Commissioning and the changes to the NHS are about at a local level.”
“We really want to know what people think about improving health in Buckinghamshire. These meetings will help to shape the way healthcare is delivered. We aim to ensure that the planning of healthcare by GPs and other health professionals reflects local views and needs. This means we need to work more closely with local people and the groups that represent them. The events we are holding in north Buckinghamshire are a great opportunity to kick-start this process.”.
The North Locality event will take place on:
Thursday 21st June 7-9pm
The Winslow Centre, Park Road, Winslow MK18 3RB
For more information contact 08456 590 706
or email feedback.AVCCG@buckinghamshire.nhs.uk
Come along and have your say.
Friday, 27 April 2012
Update on affordable housing from AVDC
AVDC has published a new guide to affordable housing, which is available on the AVDC website at:
http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2012/apr/looking-housing/
From AVDC's website:
'The council is pursuing initiatives to maintain a balanced housing market and boost the supply of affordable, sustainable, homes for local people. This complements our work to maintain the quality of the district's existing housing stock.
While the district council does not develop housing itself, we do work closely with a wide range of partners to enable the provision of new homes. Especially, we work with our local communities and in partnership with housing associations and others.
Current affordable housing developments
There are a number of new residential developments under construction, which will result in the completion of hundreds of new affordable homes. The sites which are currently under construction or planned for the district can be found in the Affordable Home Ownership in Aylesbury Vale document (link on website).
How do I get an affordable home?
You need to register with the council. Call 01296 585168 or 585197 for advice about how to register and who is eligible or see our website: www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/housingadvice'
The list of current developments includes one of 98 homes in Calvert by the Guinness Trust. There are at least 2 planned developments in Steeple Claydon village currently in the pipeline as well.
This is good news for local residents who want to remain in our communities but would like to get on the first rung of the housing ladder.
http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2012/apr/looking-housing/
From AVDC's website:
'The council is pursuing initiatives to maintain a balanced housing market and boost the supply of affordable, sustainable, homes for local people. This complements our work to maintain the quality of the district's existing housing stock.
While the district council does not develop housing itself, we do work closely with a wide range of partners to enable the provision of new homes. Especially, we work with our local communities and in partnership with housing associations and others.
Current affordable housing developments
There are a number of new residential developments under construction, which will result in the completion of hundreds of new affordable homes. The sites which are currently under construction or planned for the district can be found in the Affordable Home Ownership in Aylesbury Vale document (link on website).
How do I get an affordable home?
You need to register with the council. Call 01296 585168 or 585197 for advice about how to register and who is eligible or see our website: www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/housingadvice'
The list of current developments includes one of 98 homes in Calvert by the Guinness Trust. There are at least 2 planned developments in Steeple Claydon village currently in the pipeline as well.
This is good news for local residents who want to remain in our communities but would like to get on the first rung of the housing ladder.
Follow up of first Steeple Claydon High Speed 2 local forum
The first local consultation forum held by High Speed 2 to canvass the views of local residents was held in
Steeple Claydon Village Hall on 11th April.
The forum covers the villages of Twyford, Chetwode, Calvert Green and Barton Hartshorn as well as Steeple Claydon. The village was represented by 3 Parish Council members as well as myself representing AVDC.
We were able to ensure that concerns over the Infrastructure Maintenance Depot and the impact on the local community of the line construction period were tabled for more detailed discussion at future meetings.
Following this forum, the Parish Council has written to Alison Munro, Chief Executive HS2 regarding concerns it has about HS2 and in particular the proposed Infrastructure Maintenance Depot adjacent to Steeple Claydon.
It has asked for a response to the following issues raised and propsals for mitigation:
Mitigation points regarding IMD construction requested of HS2 Ltd:
· 1) Steeple Claydon Parish Council (SCPC) strongly requests that a separate community forum meeting/s with HS2 take place because of the unique negative impact IMD brings to SC during the construction and operational phases of it and the railway itself.
· 2) SCPC would like the site of IMD reconsidered.
· 2.1) If it ultimately goes ahead however the following points are required of HS2 Ltd:
· 3) No construction traffic through SC.
· 4) All traffic routes to be published.
· 5) SCPC wish for no extra land take over and above the current red lined plan whatsoever during construction.
· 6) To be clear SCPC does not want any construction camp locally or at the IMD site itself. Therefore what plans are in place for the duty of care regarding their contractors ? i.e. Their accommodation/their health/their rest periods.
· 7) SCPC want confirmation that all materials are to be freighted by rail during construction. (via EWR?).
· 8) What is the mitigation plan for surface run off towards SC because of the IMD ‘s concrete foundations being built on an area of wet land.
· 9) With reference to (8) above what mitigation measures will be in place against pollution. E.g. oil etc leaking into the stream that crosses the IMD site and ends up crossing at West Street SC.
· 10) Conciliatory measures in construction. Please advise what they may be.
Mitigation points regarding IMD when operational requested of HS2 Ltd:
· 1 Mitigation of visual impact to area. Please advise HS2's proposal.
· 2 Mitigation of light pollution. Please advise HS2's proposal.
· 3 Mitigation of vibration. Please advise HS2's proposal.
· 4 Mitigation of noise by an earth bund around IMD. Please show a plan.
· 5 Limited frequency of the helicopter pad under normal circumstances. Please advice what maybe expected.
The forum will continue to meet every 6 - 8 weeks over the next 18 months.
A Steeple Claydon High Speed 2 action group has recently been formed to co-ordinate the village's input to the forums and response to the proposals, in close co-ordination with other local action groups and concerned individuals. Please contact me or a member of the Parish Council if you would like to be involved. Now is the time for action to make sure we get our voice heard.
The forum covers the villages of Twyford, Chetwode, Calvert Green and Barton Hartshorn as well as Steeple Claydon. The village was represented by 3 Parish Council members as well as myself representing AVDC.
We were able to ensure that concerns over the Infrastructure Maintenance Depot and the impact on the local community of the line construction period were tabled for more detailed discussion at future meetings.
Following this forum, the Parish Council has written to Alison Munro, Chief Executive HS2 regarding concerns it has about HS2 and in particular the proposed Infrastructure Maintenance Depot adjacent to Steeple Claydon.
It has asked for a response to the following issues raised and propsals for mitigation:
Mitigation points regarding IMD construction requested of HS2 Ltd:
· 1) Steeple Claydon Parish Council (SCPC) strongly requests that a separate community forum meeting/s with HS2 take place because of the unique negative impact IMD brings to SC during the construction and operational phases of it and the railway itself.
· 2) SCPC would like the site of IMD reconsidered.
· 2.1) If it ultimately goes ahead however the following points are required of HS2 Ltd:
· 3) No construction traffic through SC.
· 4) All traffic routes to be published.
· 5) SCPC wish for no extra land take over and above the current red lined plan whatsoever during construction.
· 6) To be clear SCPC does not want any construction camp locally or at the IMD site itself. Therefore what plans are in place for the duty of care regarding their contractors ? i.e. Their accommodation/their health/their rest periods.
· 7) SCPC want confirmation that all materials are to be freighted by rail during construction. (via EWR?).
· 8) What is the mitigation plan for surface run off towards SC because of the IMD ‘s concrete foundations being built on an area of wet land.
· 9) With reference to (8) above what mitigation measures will be in place against pollution. E.g. oil etc leaking into the stream that crosses the IMD site and ends up crossing at West Street SC.
· 10) Conciliatory measures in construction. Please advise what they may be.
Mitigation points regarding IMD when operational requested of HS2 Ltd:
· 1 Mitigation of visual impact to area. Please advise HS2's proposal.
· 2 Mitigation of light pollution. Please advise HS2's proposal.
· 3 Mitigation of vibration. Please advise HS2's proposal.
· 4 Mitigation of noise by an earth bund around IMD. Please show a plan.
· 5 Limited frequency of the helicopter pad under normal circumstances. Please advice what maybe expected.
The forum will continue to meet every 6 - 8 weeks over the next 18 months.
A Steeple Claydon High Speed 2 action group has recently been formed to co-ordinate the village's input to the forums and response to the proposals, in close co-ordination with other local action groups and concerned individuals. Please contact me or a member of the Parish Council if you would like to be involved. Now is the time for action to make sure we get our voice heard.
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
New Garden waste service being rolled out by AVDC
New garden waste service set for roll out in Aylesbury Vale
Hundreds of households in Aylesbury Vale will soon be able to start using the district council’s new garden waste collection service.
The first collections will take place in April and information leaflets and bin hangers explaining the charged for service have been sent to residents in the first two trial areas to inform them of the new brown bin collections.
More than 800 residents have signed up to the scheme, which is £36 a year for a fortnightly collection between February and November.
Anyone who wants to subscribe will receive a 240-litre brown bin with a lid for grass cuttings, twigs and small branches, weeds and hedge trimmings.
The council aims to offer the service in all locations of the Vale later in the year.
With the introduction of the garden waste service, AVDC will no longer be collecting garden sacks from households from September.
The garden waste scheme is part of a range of improvements to the council’s waste and recycling service, which will start to be rolled out from September. These improvements aim to reduce the amount of waste the district sends to landfill and the rising costs of doing this.
Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said: “The garden waste service is critical in helping us to reduce the amount of rubbish that is sent to landfill. Use of landfill is not only bad for the environment but increasingly costly for councils so the more waste we can compost or recycle the better.”
Residents who want to subscribe to the kerbside garden waste collection service can still do so.
Hundreds of households in Aylesbury Vale will soon be able to start using the district council’s new garden waste collection service.
The first collections will take place in April and information leaflets and bin hangers explaining the charged for service have been sent to residents in the first two trial areas to inform them of the new brown bin collections.
More than 800 residents have signed up to the scheme, which is £36 a year for a fortnightly collection between February and November.
Anyone who wants to subscribe will receive a 240-litre brown bin with a lid for grass cuttings, twigs and small branches, weeds and hedge trimmings.
The council aims to offer the service in all locations of the Vale later in the year.
With the introduction of the garden waste service, AVDC will no longer be collecting garden sacks from households from September.
The garden waste scheme is part of a range of improvements to the council’s waste and recycling service, which will start to be rolled out from September. These improvements aim to reduce the amount of waste the district sends to landfill and the rising costs of doing this.
Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said: “The garden waste service is critical in helping us to reduce the amount of rubbish that is sent to landfill. Use of landfill is not only bad for the environment but increasingly costly for councils so the more waste we can compost or recycle the better.”
Residents who want to subscribe to the kerbside garden waste collection service can still do so.
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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