The consultation in Abingdon to discuss the new local plan up to 2041 mirrored the traffic in Abingdon this morning.

* Traffic up West St Helen Street.

* Consultation in a corner of Pablos Lounge.

The venue became as much a talking point as the plan in the morning.  The crush had eased off by afternoon, as had the traffic.

It was good to see Roger and Bobby, who attend most of Abingdon’s consultations, as experts and friends of Abingdon. Hopefully, the location at Pablos also attracted more people who wouldn’t typically attend such consultations.

Janet M said building more homes in Dalton Barracks and Culham, as proposed in the 2041 plan, would worsen Abingdon’s traffic. She agrees new homes are needed but wants better road infrastructure and bike paths first to manage the extra traffic and encourage cycling.

Mike thought it was crunch time for Culham, and said now was the time to stop more houses at Culham, and help save Abingdon, through this local plan.

The plan proposals can be viewed and commented online at https://jlp.southandvale.gov.uk/.

Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) and South Oxfordshire District Council have teamed up to create a Joint Local Plan to guide future development in both districts until 2041.

There aren’t any major changes to the development plans for Abingdon compared to the 2031 plan. However, changes are happening nearby at Dalton Barracks. The Ministry of Defence is moving out by 2029, and the plan is to develop the vacant barracks area.

Instead of the 1,200 homes originally planned until 2031, the new proposal is for 2,750 until 2041. The development area will include extra land from the Green Belt, creating a larger area (52 hectares compared to 30 hectares). This is intended to be a Garden Village-style development with a school, local shops, good transport links, and plenty of green space. There is nothing planned for the top of the airfield.

The proposal can be viewed online at https://jlp.southandvale.gov.uk/. (Chapter 8 and AS10 has Dalton Barracks.) A printed copy is also available at Abingdon Library.

There is a drop in event in Shippon at Shippon Church Hall on 24th January between 3pm and 8pm. VWHDC will be there to answer questions and explain the plans in more detail.

The drop in event in Abingdon will be at Pablos on 3rd February.

The joint plan is far more than just building development. In Chapter 9 on town centres, the preferred option is for Didcot to be the principal town centre across both districts, with Abingdon-on-Thames, Faringdon, Henley-on-Thames, Thame, Wallingford, and Wantage within a second town centre tier.

The town council received a presentation on public art, with £141,000 available for Abingdon projects. The largest allocations are £40,000 for the Morlands Estate and £60,000 for the Dunmore Road development. Some money could also be used on art for a roundabout and refurbishing the Stratton Way underpass mural. It sounded as though the town council will set up a working group to work with the Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) arts officer.

The One Planet Abingdon group received a £5,000 grant for their work and are planning a Market Place festival on June 15th.

The Mayor announced a free discussion and film night on domestic abuse on March 8th, supporting the Reducing the Risk charity. The film will be “Gaslight” (1944). The Mayor also had a quiz on 19th January, which was fully booked.

In the written County Council Report, County Councillor Nathan Ley highlighted budget difficulties particularly with rising social care costs, staff shortages, and reliance on expensive agency staff. A 4.99% County Council tax rise is proposed, with 2% ringfenced for social care.

Residents can now dispose of some DIY waste for free at Recycling Centres by booking in advance.

A new trial of an innovative pothole repair method reduces carbon by 50%.

Construction of new south-facing slip roads for the A34 at Lodge Hill is expected to begin this summer.

A fully funded zebra crossing will be installed on Northcourt Road with a mid-February closure for construction.

One councillor also said that Councillor Nathan Ley has called a meeting about the flooding that affected parts of North Abingdon. I have not heard of a meeting for South Abingdon yet.

The VWHDC report was not available. But Councillor Neil Fawcett mentioned an additional budget for the Charter redevelopment. Engagement is planned with the town council.

The rest of the meeting was for Town Council business.

Community grants will be increased by 10% to £33,000, and £2,500 will be allocated for a feasibility study on a children’s centre in north Abingdon.

A new ten-year deal for the fair is being discussed with the operator (Bob Wilson). The fair operator suggested that the fair service be held at 4pm, after which the fair would be allowed to open on Sunday evening until 8pm.

Concerns were raised about high ticket prices for Music in the Park, which may have impacted attendance.

Work has been done on improving the path at the Hillview recreation area.

New town council signs with modern wording will be installed on council grounds.

A policy on single-use plastics in the Market Place and at events is being considered.

VWHDC Officers were positive in their feedback about the work done on the Abingdon neighbourhood plan, but said further work is needed on planning guidance.

Additional quotes are needed for expensive roundabout maintenance work. There is £20k in the new budget for such work.

£20K is also budgeted for the new speed indicators. Speed indicator signs will be  deployed and can be moved about within different locations. (If I heard right there will be 7 indicators and 14 locations.)

The infrastructure committee acknowledged children’s concerns about traffic and road safety around Caldecott School, as detailed in letters from school children. This will be forwarded to the traffic advisory committee.

Radar keys for the “space for change” toilet at the Guildhall will be available for purchase, and a trial scheme with using businesses toilets is being considered wherein businesses could get £1000 for taking part.

The budget for the Abbey Hall refurbishment will be £75,000.

Community Infrastructure Levy funds (developer funds) will be used for more projects next year.

The budget for 2024/5 was discussed. (I had to leave at this point for another meeting.) The town council papers said a 4.7% increase in the town council part of the council tax is proposed, setting the precept at £1,936,996 for 2024-25.

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council met at the Magistrates Court this evening.

The meeting began with prayers by the Mayor’s chaplain, Deacon Selina Nisbett.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Transparency

During public questions, Hester Hands asked the council about transparency in spending CIL money (a charge that local authorities can set on new development in order to raise funds to help fund the new services needed by the new homes). The council responded that they would be more transparent in the future and would publish a breakdown of CIL spending each year.

New Councillor Co-opted

The meeting began with the co-option of a new councillor for the Dunmore Ward vacancy. Three candidates stood for the position: Charlie Birks (independent), Mark Gibbons (Liberal Democrat), and Aiden Riley (Green). After two rounds of secret voting, Mark Gibbons was co-opted as the new councillor.

Abbey Cinema Lease Renewed

The council announced that a two-year lease has been signed with the Abbey Cinema. The cinema will continue to operate until the end of August 2025, at which point the building will be closed for a major refurbishment.

New Science Centre Proposed

James White of ATOM suggested the development of a new Science Centre in Abingdon. The council expressed its support for the project and will nominate a councillor to join the project team.

Grants Approved

The council approved larger grants to a number of local organizations, including the Abingdon Carousel, The Abingdon Bridge, Be Free Young Carers, Christ’s Hospital, Citizens’ Advice Oxfordshire South and Vale, and the Abingdon Damascus Youth Project. The grant to Christ’s Hospital is a long standing agreement to help fund a small percent of the cost of running the Albert Park.

Other Topics Discussed

Councillor Jim Halliday congratulated all those behind the Abingdon Active Travel Map https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/shop-eat-drink/active-travel-map-of-abingdon-on-thames.

The council is planning to install new play equipment at Caldecott Road recreation ground, in South Abingdon. This will be funded by CIL Money from the North Abingdon developments.

The council will point the town’s finger posts in the right direction and then refurbish them.

The council discussed the introduction of 20 MPH speed indicators in the town. They will probably put speed indicators near town entry points and other important locations, once they have been identified.

The council has decided to revert to having a full planning committee instead of a planning panel. This will involve more staff time and expertise so cannot be done immediatly.

The council will procure flags for the Holocaust Memorial, the LGBTQIA++ flag, and the Universal Suffrage Flag. The Mayor suggested that the reason why a particular flag is flying be put on a town noticeboard. There is a flag currently flying for the Mayor’s Birthday.

The council has appointed an interim town clerk for the next six months, after the previous interim town clerk stepped down. The intention is then to find a permanent town clerk.