Nov 2022

Your regular update from Vale of White Horse District Council straight to your inbox.  You can also view this edition online.

Experience democracy in action

We’re looking for people to work at the May 2023 elections. It’s a great chance for you to play an important part in local democracy.

If you or someone you know is interested in working either of the following paid roles, please get in touch as soon as possible and please encourage your friends and family to do the same:

• Postal vote staff – Abingdon, Monday 24 April to Friday 5 May (various shifts available)
• Polling station staff – locations across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse, Thursday 4 May (from 6am until finish – likely to be around 10.30pm)

To register your interest, simply email electionstaff@southandvale.gov.uk.  Our Elections team will send all the information and ask you to confirm your availability for the various roles.

For more information, visit whitehorsedc.gov.uk/electionjobs.

Please note, we are unable to offer the roles to people that work for or are connected with a political party.

Energy Support for community buildings

Eligible community groups will be able to apply for grants between £250-£3,000 to help keep their buildings open to the most vulnerable this winter thanks to a new support scheme introduced by the Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF).

The grants are open until 21 November.  To apply and find out more information, visit the OCF website.

Cost of Living support information

Our Cost of Living leaflet has details of the support available for residents who are finding things difficult.

Here is a print-ready version too – page one and two for you to print and post on your notice boards if you like.

Residents who need any further information on the support that’s available locally can head to our website.

Join us in Striding out for Survivors

We’re teaming up with Oxfordshire charity Reducing the Risk to take part in ‘Striding out for Survivors’, a campaign aimed at raising awareness of domestic abuse and the support available for victims in Oxfordshire, taking place from 25 November to 10 December.

You can show your support for survivors of domestic abuse simply by posting photos, messages using the #SO4S on your social media after you’ve gone for a walk, either on your own or with friends and family.

The event coincides with the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, beginning with White Ribbon Day on 25 November, the global movement to end male violence against women and girls.

For more information about the campaign and support available for victims of domestic abuse, visit our website.  To help encourage people to get involved, you can also download and display this campaign poster.

Land Trust keen for further sites as Botley development begins

The Oxfordshire Community Land Trust (OCLT) is keen to work with town and parish councils to find sites across our districts that could see the development of affordable housing.

The non-for-profit organisation recently used funding from Vale of White Horse District Council and the Future Oxfordshire Partnership to help pay for the building of five one-bedroom and three two-bedroom flats in Crofts Court, Botley.

The homes will be available to those on the Vale housing register to apply for. For more information on the OCLT, please visit their website – oclt.org.uk.

Review of constituency boundaries

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has launched its final consultation on proposed new constituency boundaries as part of a review aimed at rebalancing the number of electors represented by each MP.

Following feedback from the public, BCE has now published a revised map of constituency proposals – to see the map and to submit your feedback, visit the BCE’s consultation website – bcereviews.org.uk. The closing date for comments is 5 December.

Bird flu (avian influenza) in birds: Housing order introduced

The government has introduced a mandatory housing measure for all poultry and captive birds in England.

Help spread the word using the posters, social media videos and images provided by the government using the links below. There are also some examples of social media posts you can use. You can download the resources here.

More guidance on how to spot it and report Avian influenza is available on the government’s website.

Flu and Covid vaccinations

We’re encouraging anyone who is eligible for the flu and Covid-19 vaccinations to book theirs asap to help boost their immunity ahead of the winter.

You can find out more about the Flu vaccine on the NHS website – nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine

And more information on how to get a Covid-19 booster here.

National Tree Week

From 25 November, residents can claim a free sapling to plant in their garden during National Tree Week. There is a variety of trees on offer and a simple guide to help you choose the best one for your garden.

It’s also a great opportunity to plant a tree for the Queen’s Green Canopy to remember Her Majesty the Queen. To order your free tree, visit the International Tree Foundation’s website.

Rural Funding Digest

The Rural Services Network publishes a monthly newsletter to help highlight many different current funding opportunities aimed at rural communities and businesses.

You can read their November edition here.

Panto is back at The Beacon this Christmas!

Join our hero Robin Hood as he fights to defeat the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

With an action-packed fun story with songs, dancing and lots of audience participation, this is one Christmas show you don’t want to miss!

Tickets are now on sale at The Beacon, for performances on Wednesday 21 December, with prices starting at £9.50. Shows start at 1pm and 5pm.

For more information and to book your tickets visit The Beacon’s website.

Up to £5,000 still available for community climate projects

Community groups and town and parish councils could receive up to £5,000 for an individual climate focussed project from the latest round of our Climate Action Fund.

We have £50,000 available to support community climate action – so if you have a scheme that you’d like to get off the ground or which could benefit from some additional funding, make sure you apply before the 25 November deadline.

For more details, visit whitehorsedc.gov.uk/grants.