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NALC/CPRE Supporting Communities with Planning events
You may be aware that CPRE and NALC (National Association of Local Councils) have obtained funding from DCLG to support local communities in engaging with the new planning system resulting from the Localism Act 2011, and in particular Neighbourhood Planning.
You are invited to attend a workshop on Monday 12th March, 6pm for 6.30pm start, finish by 9.30pm at Exeter Hall, Kidlington OX5 1AB.
The evening will start with the Head of Planning Policy, South Oxfordshire, Miles Thompson giving a presentation on the changing context for planning and an overview of the new process for Neighbourhood Development Plans. This will be followed by case studies from three communities which have front runner status - Chipping Norton, Thame and Woodcote. The case studies will cover:
- Why did they want to become a front runner council
- What did they hope to get out of it
- How have they got on so far
- Costs and sources of funding they have used
- Good practice and experience they would wish to pass on to other councils and communities
There will be opportunities for questions and networking.
There is no charge for places at this evening workshop but places must be booked in advance because numbers are limited. Places are on a first come, first served basis with two places per council, group or organisation. Please return the booking slip, preferably by email to Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils info@oalc.org.uk
As part of the Supporting Communities with Planning, a number of booklets have been produced, Planning Explained, How to respond to planning applications: an 8 step guide and How to shape where you live: a guide to neighbourhood planning copies of which will be available on the evening. They can also be down loaded from the CPRE web site:
Rock salt bulk ordering system for Parish Councils
OALC have received a few requests for advice concerning the statutory spending power for the purchase of rock salt from the County Council. We are also aware that ORCC Trading and Community Buying unlimited have contacted parish councils offering them the opportunity to purchase in bulk small bags of rock salt to be sold on to members of their communities.
Firstly to deal with the statutory spending power. Parish councils may incur expenditure on salt, grit and other de-icing materials and equipment pursuant to s.137 of the Local Government Act 1972. Under it a parish council may spend each year up to a specified limit on anything which in the opinion of the parish council is in the interests of the parish, or any part of it, or is in the interests of all or some of the inhabitants. The spending limit for 2011/12 is £6.44 per elector. Expenditure has to be authorised in advance by formal resolution of the council. If you are considering participating in the ORCC Trading scheme you should be aware that the income from the sale of the salt be regarded as general income; it will not “top-up” your annual s.137 allowance. So parishes should have regard for the amount already spent and other potential calls on their remaining annual allowance.
Secondly there is the issue of VAT on the sale of the salt bags which is a taxable supply. Although the VAT Act states that all local authorities that make taxable supplies must register with HMRC, HMRC do not require registration from local authorities whose output tax does not reach £1000 in any year. Therefore if the sale of salt is the only taxable supply an unregistered parish council is making it is unlikely that this will take you over the threshold. (N.B. You would have to have sales of £6000 (£5000 + £1000 VAT) in total). Assuming that Community Buying unLimited will be issuing tax invoices to all parish councils then unregistered councils must not reclaim the VAT back on their 126 claims but simply recharge the gross amount to their customers. Councils who are registered claim the VAT back as input tax and account for the output tax on the sales in their VAT returns.
If you have any queries you can of course call or email and we will do our best to assist you.
Jan Gosset, Assistant County Officer
Volunteer to spend your summer on the river
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Launch of CULTIVATE
Cultivate is about new ways of feeding Oxford. We are a co-operative social enterprise that will bring fresh, local, environmentally-friendly food direct from farmers to the city and surrounding areas. Our five-acre market garden and other small farms nearby will provide the produce sold in the VegVan, our mobile greengrocery, which will set up wherever communities want it.
We are offering individuals and organisations the opportunity to become a real part of the enterprise by investing. For three months only from 16th January to 16th April 2012 we will be running a community share offer to raise the £55,000 we need to make Cultivate happen. Every investor will automatically become a member of the co-operative and have a vote in how it is run. Cultivate is people-powered: owned, run and financed by the community!
At the Turl Street Kitchen, Oxford near the junction of Ship Street and Turl Street
We've got a packed couple of months ahead!
If you can't make it to the launch, we'll be speaking at:
6 January: Oxford Real Farming Conference
25 January: Oxford University School of Geography and the Environment
26 January: The Sustainable Supper
And a future date for the diary... join us on March 31st for our first farm open day when we need loads of volunteers to install our fence!
Community Payback
A Win – Win Solution to Asset Maintenance,
This article comes from Keith Dixon, Clerk, Launton Parish Council
Just before Christmas I met with Community Payback workers and their supervisor who the Parish Council had engaged to do some work in the village. The Community Payback scheme (previously Community Service) is delivered by Thames Valley Probation and sets out to provide a means for offenders to pay a community back for the wrong they may have committed. It is, of course unpaid, compulsory and strictly supervised.
Seven young men and their supervisor, provided with materials supplied by the Parish Council, set about painting the bus shelters and notice boards and cleaning benches round the village. Any shortfall in experience was amply outweighed by a willingness to get stuck in and by the end of the day, all the work was completed well with no mess.
All of the people I met were polite to me, eager to get stuck in, and appreciative of the support they were given. In all, engagement with the team was a positive and rewarding experience and effectively dispelled the preconceptions I have to confess to before meeting them.
For more information about Community Payback in Oxfordshire follow this link to Thames Valley Police website
Oxfordshire Libraries
Oxfordshire County Council met on 12th December 2011 to consider the responses to its proposals to alter the funding basis for the running of its library service.
See the County Council web site here for more details of the decision:
Councillors approved a revised proposal following a four-month public consultation that will see 22 libraries remain fully staffed by council employees; 16 manned by an equal mix of local authority paid-personnel and volunteers and five others which will be two-thirds staffed by council workers and one-third by volunteers.
Core Libraries
The 22 libraries that will remain fully staffed by County Council employees, meeting the council’s statutory requirement to provide a comprehensive and efficient network, are those situated in Abingdon, Banbury, Berinsfield, Bicester, Blackbird Leys, Botley, Carterton, Chipping Norton, Cowley, Didcot, Eynsham, Headington, Henley, Kidlington, Littlemore, Neithrop, Oxford Central, Summertown, Thame, Wallingford, Wantage and Witney.
Community Libraries
The 16 others, where staffing will comprise an equal mix of county council-paid staff and volunteers, will be known as Community Libraries, located in Adderbury, Bampton, Benson, Burford, Charlbury, Deddington, Goring, Hook Norton, Kennington, North Leigh, Old Marston, Sonning Common, Stonesfield, Watlington, Woodcote and Wychwood.
Community Plus Libraries
The remaining five at Chinnor, Faringdon, Grove, Wheatley and Woodstock will be called Community Plus Libraries, with two-thirds council-paid staff and one-third volunteers.
County Council officers also committed to exploring how all library buildings could be used in different and more effective ways as community resources in the future.
The County Council will take into account every four years, or sooner if circumstances dictate, housing developments across Oxfordshire to consider whether the location of libraries would still cater for the changing face of the county.
Queens Diamond Jubilee
The Diamond Jubilee will take place in 2012, it marks 60 years of the Queen’s reign. The celebrations will centre around an extended weekend in 2012, Saturday 2nd - Tuesday 5th June.
Diamond Jubilee Emblem
The Diamond Jubilee emblem can be used on events and activities. It can be downloaded from http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/DiamondJubileeemblem.aspx
The emblem which was the result of a Blue Peter competition must be reproduced as it stands; it can be used on any items related to the Diamond Jubilee such as mugs, tea towels, banners and badges etc.
Funding
Be aware of what funding your council may need, what powers your council has to fund events, activities or celebratory items such as mugs and if appropriate to include a suitable sum in your councils budget for next year. Consider sponsorship and any other sources of funding which may be available also how far Sec 137 monies can be used for the benefit of the community.
Beacons
Local (parish and town) councils are being invited by The Royal Household to light beacons in their local communities as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The aim is for 2,012 beacons to be lit on the evening of Monday 4th June across the country. Those councils who wish to take part need to register with the Pageant Master by 30th April 2012 (see diamondjubileebeacons.co.uk)
Flagpoles and bunting
Flagpoles can be erected, in safe and suitable locations, be aware you may need planning permission or possibly listed building consent. Small flags and strings of bunting can be strung along hedges, walls and on buildings. If the bunting is strung over, along or across a highway then consent is needed (Highways Act 1980, s 178)
Street parties and The Big Lunch
The Big Lunch has been running for a couple of years, it encourages communities to get together in their street and eat a communal meal http://www.thebiglunch.com/ This years Big Lunch will be on Sunday 3rd June, you can register your lunch/street party on their web site. If the meal is in the road or public highway then a temporary road closure order will be required. Contact Oxfordshire County Council 0845 310 11 11 or your Area Steward.
Insurance
Check with your insurers that any events your council is planning is covered by your insurance, if it isn’t then you may be able to get additional cover. You will need to do a risk assessment particularly if your celebration is going to include a fiery beacon.
Bank holiday for everyone
The second May bank holiday in June will be on Monday 4th June, there will be an extra days bank holiday on Tuesday 5th June, so a nice long bank holiday for everyone.
Oxfordshire County Council web site has a list of events planned across the county and other useful information on the Diamond Jubilee:
http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/queens-diamond-jubilee
OALC Winter General Meeting presentation by Hugo Pickering
Hugo Pickering gave a presentation at the November General Meeting on Cotswold Broadband. The presentation gave an insight into what Chipping Norton is doing to improve Broadband speeds and connectivity for businesses and the whole community. Click here to see the presentation.
Broadband Delivery UK
Broadband Delivery UK are the government team responsible for administering the £530 million funding pot which has been set aside for upper tier authorities to develop broadband infrastructure in Ofcom Market 1 areas. The areas are defined by BT exchange areas and are where there is only one network operator – BT. They are the areas where the market has failed to deliver fast broadband speeds, and so need public intervention to enable residents and businesses in these areas to gain faster broadband speeds.
Oxfordshire has 88 exchange areas of which only 25 have been ‘unbundled’ so that other network operators can provide broadband to customers.
BDUK recently announced a change in approach to funding local authorities – instead of bidding for the necessary funding, Oxfordshire County Council will be allocated funding on set criteria:
- The cost of ensuring a fibre connection is in every community
- The cost of deploying wireless and satellite technology for the final 10%
- The cost of building Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) to 90% coverage
Local authorities will not know their allocations until autumn 2011.
Local Broadband Plan
Oxfordshire County Council will have to prepare a LBP that sets out ambitions and vision for broadband in terms of:
- Developing the local economy
- Transformation on public services
- Digital participation.
The plan will also set out a detailed business and financial plan for the roll out of broadband to the Market 1 areas. The county council has started work on preparing the LBP
Community engagement
BDUK have stated that community engagement is key to the success of the broadband project. Oxfordshire County Council have recently identified funding of £165,000 that will be used for community engagement activity, including a competition for funding direct to communities to develop their own broadband projects. More details will be released in due course.
Communications
A new, dedicated website was launched on 2 August 2011– www.oxonline.co.uk
Information on progress will be posted on a regular basis by Oxfordshire county Council on their web site..
Oxfordshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2030
Oxfordshire's Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2030 focuses on attracting and supporting economic investment and growth, delivering transport infrastructure, tackling congestion and improving quality of life.
It supports the Oxfordshire Sustainable Community Strategy, Oxfordshire 2030, responding to the strategic objectives of the economy, community, climate change and reducing deprivation.
The county council adopted the plan as policy on 5 April 2011 following its approval by cabinet on 15 March 2011.
Area Stewards for Highways
Oxfordshire County Council are keen for town and parish councils to direct their enquiries to the relevant Area Steward for their district. Each district has a steward that should take a holistic approach to their area which should encompass all highway matters.
Contact telephone number is 0845 310 1111
or click here to contnnect to OCC Highways web page
Model Parish Council Emergency Plan
How can small communities cope with emergencies when outside assistance from the emergency services is delayed?
Nearly all emergencies affecting communities will be dealt with routinely by joint response of the emergency services, local authorities and the major utilities. However, there may be rare occasions when circumstances, such as extensive flooding, storm damage or deep snow delay the arrival of outside assistance, and the community will need to help itself. It will do this more effectively if it has a plan.
This guidance has been created to assist communities to develop their own plan. The template can be adapted to fit a community’s own needs. To download a template and associated guidance go to Oxfordshire County Council’s website..
Examples of member councils' Emergency Plans are available at the OALC office.
Are you ready?
Do you know what to do in an emergency? With valuable information, hints and tips for individuals, households and businesses, with a handy ‘fill in and keep’ section for your personal emergency contact details, this booklet provides everything you need to deal with an emergency. Published by the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum, the booklet is easy to read and helps families, individuals, communities and businesses prepare for hazards including hot weather, flooding, snow, ice etc and how to respond to some incidents.
Download your copy of Are you ready?(PDF).
Road Closures for Street Parties
The statutory framework for this is as follows:
- Neighbourhood Street parties require a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order
- Legislation used is Town Police Clause Act 1847
- Administered by District Councils with Oxfordshire County Council as Highway Authority being a consultee
For further background on this please contact the OALC office.
Energy Performance Certificates
We have received many phone calls and emails from parishes who have received a letter from a company, DEA Direct, suggesting that their village hall will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and they are at risk of a fine if they do not have a Certificate in place. The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates & Inspections) (England & Wales) Regulations 2007 deal with the requirement to provide an EPC.
We have consulted the Legal Department at NALC on this issue as we wanted to clarify whether or not the hiring of a village hall, or a room in a village hall, is considered a letting in the terms of the above legislation. NALC has advised that:
“It is my understanding that the Regulations make landlords responsible for ensuring that an Energy Performance Certificate is provided as early as possible to prospective tenants. In other words, the Regulations cover leases. In my view, if the agreement is not a lease, then there is no obligation to provide an Energy Performance Certificate.”
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) have confirmed their previous advice, that the term rental applies to buildings held under a formal lease agreement and not a hiring agreement or non exclusive occupation licence. They are looking into putting a FAQ about it on the EPC/DEC website. We have also spoken with the Trading Standards Service at Oxfordshire County Council who are responsible for the enforcement of the EPC legislation in the county. They have informed us that village halls do not need a Certificate and that their policy is to give guidance to anyone not complying with the legislation, rather than take legal action.
NALC have produced two Legal Topic Notes which provide more information and can be found in the Members Area of our website:
- LTN 48 The difference between leases and licences
- LTN 76 Energy Performance Requirements
Countryside Access: A Parish Guide
This new guide from Oxfordshire County Council to improving access to rights of way can be downloaded here.
Habitat Restoration and Creation in the Context of Community Groups & Parish Councils 
Since autumn 2006 all local authorities have been required, under the NERC Act, to ‘have regard to the purpose of conserving biodiversity’. The Act is interpreted to mean that they should consider wildlife in every decision they take. Local authorities, including parish councils, should try to restore their lost habitats and create links between them where possible, for example, a new stretch of hedgerow to connect two other hedgerows in the parish.
Habitat restoration Work on Letcombe Brook Photo: Sally Wallington:
Local environment groups have thus become vital allies to Parish Councils due to their knowledge of local species and their protection of local patches of wildlife habitat. All these groups are part of the whole picture for Oxfordshire’s biodiversity and deserve recognition as such. ONCF’s local environment group conference is run for them and many advertise their work parties on ONCF’s free weekly e-bulletin.
For more information email Cynth Napper, Community Officer, ONCF: cynth@oncf.org.uk www.oncf.org.uk
Cotswold Conservation Board: Guidance on Roadside Management for Parish Councils 
An abridged version of the Board’s position statement on The Management of Roadside Verges has been developed specifically for use by parish councils and other groups managing rural roadside verges in and around villages in the AONB.
Click here to view the guide on the AONB website, along with rest of the Board’s full position statements.
The enewsletter of the Cotswold AONB can be viewed here
Chilterns Conservation Board 
The latest e-newsletter from the Chilterns Conservation Board can be downloaded here.
The latest Commons Network e-newsletter can be downloaded here.
Good Practice Note on Play Policy
An OALC Good Practice Note on Play Policy has been produced in collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Play Partnership and Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association. It sets out the background and rationale for a play policy. A very brief model policy covering the main points is provided as an Appendix. A copy can be downloaded in the Members' Area.
Oxfordshire Play Association newsletter available
The latest Inspiring Play Newsletter (December 2011 - February 2012) is available on the OPA website as an online newsletter and also as a PDF to download:
http://oxonplay.webeden.co.uk/inspiring-play
It includes play news & updates, playwork training info, an article on Play Therapy, OCC updates, risky play case studies, Budget Play ideas and lots more from the Oxfordshire play world.
Information on the Oxfordshire Play Partnership, including recent minutes of meetings, Oxfordshire Play Strategy and the Action Plan are all available on the OPA (Oxfordshire Play Association) website, and will be regularly updated. They can be found under the ‘Play Resources’ tab on OPA’s website at www.oxonplay.org.uk
Other documents relating to Play issues available here are:
Design for Play
This guide to creating successful play spaces produced by Play England is now back in print. The guide provides useful advice on running the consultation process and help with planning a scheme. It is packed full of case studies that illustrate the Playbuilder concept.
Design for Play: A guide to creating successful play spaces is available to download from http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/
A printed copy may be ordered free of charge by calling 0845 600 9506 and requesting code DCSF-00631-2008. The County Council also has a limited number of printed copies available.
For Funding News please click here
For details of current consultations please visit our Consultations page.
Job Vacancies & Jobs Wanted
posted 23rd January 2012
Old Marston Parish Council
Parish Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer
Old Marston Parish Council has a vacancy for a Parish Clerk and responsible Finance Officer.
Old Marston Parish Council is a village within the City boundary of Oxford and has an electorate of 2,750. The role is varied and interesting, duties include producing agendas/minutes and attending the monthly Parish Council meetings which are held on the first Tuesday of the month except for August. Ideally the candidate should live within or near the Parish of Old Marston. The Parish Council financial work includes dealing with payments of bills, managing the financial accounts, annual audit and dealing with VAT issues relating to Parish projects.
The position would suit someone with Local Government experience, accounts handling, secretarial experience and working Knowledge of IT and a willingness to attend training as required. The Clerk should have use of a car for occasional travel. The ideal candidate will have good communication and computer skills including MS Word and Excel spreadsheet.
The post is part time 15 hours per week with days/hours to be agreed by the Parish Council prior to commencement of the role. Other duties will be discussed at interview.
The salary will be £10 per hour, full expenses including a heating and lighting allowance will be paid by the Parish Council. The Parish Council at present has no office space therefore, the Clerk will be expected to provide space for the council office equipment and paperwork in their home.
The closing date is 10th February 2012
For further details or an informal discussion about this position, please contact Charlie Haynes, Chairman of Old Marston Parish Council:-
Email: haynesenclave@aol.com
Telephone 01865 247906
Mobile 07900 601 272
To apply send a CV and a covering letter including the names and addresses of two referees by post to:-
Charlie Haynes, Chairman
Old Marston Parish Council
The Willows
12 Boults Lane
Old Marston Village
Oxford
OX3 OPW
posted 17th January 2012
Forest Hill with Shotover Parish Council
Part time clerk to the Council and Responsible Finance Officer
Applications will be invited for this post which will become vacant from 1st May 2012, following the retirement of the present post holder.
The parish is situated to the north-east of Oxford, with an electorate of 650. The precept for 2012/2013 is £12,500 and the budget for the year is £15,000.
The parish comprises the whole of the village of Forest Hill, together with the Bayswater area, adjoining the Barton are of Oxford, and most of the Shotover Country Park. It is a varied area.
Further details can be obtained from the Chairman Chris Goffey, 01865 873078 or the Vice Chairman Malcolm Leeding 01865 872034
The closing date is 20th February 2012
CAN YOU HELP US TO HELP
TOWN & PARISH COUNCILS IN OXFORDSHIRE?
posted 22nd November 2011
The Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (OALC) needs someone to help us deal with enquiries and administrative matters at times when our staff are out of the office.
We are looking for someone who knows the local government system, in particular town and parish councils. You should be able to provide a friendly initial response to enquiries from councils, working on your own in our office.
The service would be required on a casual basis probably on a Monday or Thursday. although the flexibility to respond to staff absences resulting from holidays, training or meetings would be necessary. The service would be provided on a self employed fee basis.
About OALC
OALC is part of a national network and has been representing town & parish councils for sixty years. More than 90% of councils in the county are members. We provide advice and information for them, and training for councillors and clerks. We represent local council interests through partnerships with other local and regional agencies in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The OALC office is located within the SODC building at Crowmarsh Gifford.
Further Details
If you are interested and would like more details of what is involved, please contact Christine Lalley or Jan Gosset on 01491 823118 or at info@oalc.org.uk.
Contact the OALC office for details of those seeking posts.