In Abingdon Library there is a poster advertising a consultation on the future of children’s services in Oxfordshire – that is the proposed closure of all Oxfordshire’s 43 Childrens Centres.

There are also papers on further Budget saving options for 2016/17. There are 92 items that could be cut to produce savings. They include:

• Remove the real time bus information service to save £140,000 annually.
• Remove subsidised bus services and save £1,220,000 annually.
• Reduce street lighting maintenance and save £920,000 annually.
• Cut the number of waste recycling centres to save £205,000 annually.
• Reduce maintenance of footpaths to save £40,000 annually.
• Stop the funding of the seven Health and Wellbeing centres (used by the elderly) to save £2,050,000 annually.
• Reduce support for the homeless to save £1,500,000 annually.

There appears no end to the possible cuts. The Oxfordshire Consultation website has more information.

A notice on the door of Abbey House says that District Council staff (from the Vale and South Oxfordshire) have moved to new offices at Milton Park today.

Since the previous offices in Crowmarsh Gifford were destroyed by fire six months ago, some staff have been at Abbey House, some at Sandford-on-Thames, and some working from home.

So from now on staff will be under one roof.

The new home could be temporary. No decision has been made on whether Crowmarsh Gifford will be rebuilt. But if the two district councils are to merge, in the long run, then Milton Park does look more central that Crowmarsh Gifford.

On Saturday, in Abingdon, we will witness ‘The Ancient Ceremony of Electing the Mayor of Ock Street‘.

This involves a day of dancing by Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, and visiting teams, around Abingdon.

The ballot box is placed outside the Brewery Tap between 10am and 4pm. Residents and businesses on Ock Street (and developments adjoining Ock Street) are eligible to vote. Voting cards are delivered on the evening beforehand (Friday 19th June).

2015 Candidates
Mr Harry Knight – The reigning Mayor of Ock Street
Mr Roger Cox – Former Mayor of Ock Street between 2007-2013
Mr Duncan Brown – Former Mayor of Abingdon in 2010.

The Elected Mayor will then be processed around Abingdon. The final dance will take place is in front of the Abingdon County Hall sometime between 7-8 pm.

The count for Abingdon Town Council took place this morning in the large sports hall at the Vale of White Horse Leisure Centre.

Angela got elected as an independent after a lot of hard work, and help from volunteers. She is with Helen from the same ward who got elected back, and will become the Mayor at the Mayor Making on Wednesday.

At the count were some of the Labour people. Left to right are Natalie who stood in Caldecott, Ray who helps organise the local party, and Mike who stood in the Abbey Ward.

Both Monica and Sandy Lovatt were re-elected for the Conservatives.

Julie Mayhew-Archer (24 years on the council) and Lesley Legge (20 years) did not stand this time. They have been two of the most effective councillors in all that time.

I also stood in Caldecott Ward and would like to thank the 1000+ people who voted for me. It was not quite enough. Alice and Mike Badcock, Sam Bowring, and Neil Fawcett got 1200+ and have been elected to serve the ward.

The results of the elections for Abingdon Town Council has resulted in:
10 Conservatives
8 Liberal Democrats
1 Independent

The full results can be seen at http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ElectionSubParish&NAME=Abingdon&TYPE=RESULTSLIST

For a more personal blog about my election experience see 2015-election.blogspot.co.uk.