Today was sunny and warm. The daffodils over the other side of the River Thames are in full bloom.
Sticky buds are bursting open on horse chestnut trees.
Blackthorn is blossoming.
Over the road, the trees have started to green, and the houses opposite will soon be hidden by leaves. The Spring Equinox was yesterday. Spring is here!
There will be an Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council Meeting this evening. I am unable to attend, but here’s a breakdown of the key points from the meeting agenda and council papers. The papers can be viewed at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Agenda-Town-council-20.3.24-2.pdf
Abingdon VWHDC District Councillors’ Reports:
* The council objected to the Thames Water price hike.
The VWHDC council’s business included:
* Public toilet charging (20p contactless, free with RADAR key) to reduce vandalism.
* Local plan to 2041 consultation.
* Care home/nursery and housing development proposals near Aldi.
* Brown bin garden waste scheme (stickered bins only will be collected).
* Ward boundary changes (Abingdon likely to have 1 councillor fewer due to slower population growth).
Town Council Committee Discussions:
Community Committee:
* Reviewed grant applications.
* Discussed museum management.
* Agreed to set up a public art working group.
* Approved a new 10-year Michaelmas Fair contract with opening on Sunday afternoon after a 3pm fair service.
Environment Committee:
* Praised outdoor services team, especially for bad weather work (including Hillview path relaying).
* Discussed installing new signs on council land.
* Agreed to improve Chaunterell Way and Masefield Close play areas.
* Discussed installing a container at Chaunterell Way for EA temporary flood barriers (£5k allocation).
Infrastructure Committee:
* Approved a new public toilet scheme with participating businesses (sign already displayed in Coffee Aroma).
* Discussed the number 41 bus service (funded by the Town Council).
* Discussed updating the neighbourhood plan due to the Local Plan 2041 consultation.
* Finalised locations for speed indicator signs.
Finance Committee:
* Will develop a new strategic plan, starting with a strategy day for councillors.
* Will care for two road roundabouts for a year.
Other:
An updated flag policy for the County Hall Museum is available at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Item-14-Flag-policy-Town-council-20.3.24.pdf.
The council will discuss NHS provision in Abingdon due to population growth and strain on GP practices, dentists, and urgent care. The council will then find the best way to urge the Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board to increase NHS provision, and publicise their concerns.
P.S. If anybody does go and can give me an update to this report, the meeting is at 7 pm in the Old Magistrates Court.
Annie’s at the Boathouse opened in September 2017 and closed at the end of last year. The cafe will reopen again under new management and under a new name.
There has been a lot of work going on inside and out as the new team refurbishes the cafe.
The Nag’s Head has installed a defibrillator outside the pub at a cost of more than £2,000, thanks to their fundraising efforts.
The Thames Valley Croquet Club continue to play during the winter months. They are there on Monday and Friday, weather permitting. Playing times are:
Winter – 11.00 am to 2.00 pm
Summer – 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm
New members are always welcome. See https://thamesvalleycroquetclub.co.uk/.
Lloyds Bank has announced the closure of its Abingdon branch on 8 Ock Street. The closure is scheduled for July 24th, 2024.
Lloyds Banking Group announced plans to close 176 branches across the UK in 2024 and 2025. The closures reflect a national trend towards online banking. The Didcot and Oxford branches will remain.
The closure is likely to be a blow to the elderly or those less comfortable with technology. Lloyds say after the branch closes, a Community Banker will be available to support customers in the local area one day a week.
In 2023, Lloyds were granted planning permission to demolish the existing rear extension and build 8 new flats without parking. The commercial unit on Ock Street will be reduced in size.
This follows the closure of Barclays, over the road from Lloyds, in February 2024, where the signs and cash machine are gone.