There was a meeting of the Abingdon-on-Thames Finance and General Purpose Committee this evening. There were questions from the public submitted beforehand.

I asked when will the foot bridge, allowing access to the Ock Valley Walk, be re-opened. The answer given by Mike Badcock, Leader of the Town Council, was ASAP (As Soon as Possible). They have the budget to rebuild the bridge but do not want to do any work until they have confirmed with the Environment Agency (EA) that the EA have no plans to change the weir as a result of flood alleviation measures in Oxford. So the date depends in getting an answer from the EA.

Eight different business owners from the town centre also came with questions about the Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID). They do not think the BID is giving value for money and were asking for the town council to act as a bridge in bringing the businesses and BID together so they can get answers about how their business rates money is being spent. They would like an AGM and to see full accounts. They also questioned whether they are legally locked into the BID for five years or whether there is a break clause.

There were also questions about the Guildhall. The Town Council is looking to work with another council on a long term use for the modern Abbey Hall. But before that happens Jim Halliday, the questioner, asked whether the Abbey Hall can be re-opened for community groups in the interim. The committee were going to examine the figures in private session and come back with an answer.

Elsewhere in the town , the Abingdon Mummers Play was doing the round of the pubs in the town centre and along Ock Street.

Carols were played and also sung in the Royal British Legion, thanks to George Haslam.