The Annual Parish Meeting took place on March 26, 2025, from 7:00 to 9:23 p.m. in the Roysse Room, Abingdon.
Mayor Councillor Gabby Barody opened the meeting, welcoming attendees and emphasising her year’s theme of ‘inclusivity’, exemplified by the appointment of multi-faith chaplains. She reflected on key events, such as the Christmas Day Lunch at Peachcroft Christian Centre for those who might otherwise be alone, and announced a Twinning Conference from April 4–7, 2025, in Abingdon, where mayors from Abingdon’s twin towns will share experiences and strengthen connections.
Reports from the Town Council Committee Chairs followed, with full details available online at (https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/annual-parish-town-meeting-2025).
Councillor Neil Fawcett (Community Committee) discussed grants to local partnership organisations like The Abingdon Bridge, supporting young people, and Abingdon Carousel, aiding young families. He noted these partnerships deliver excellent value, achieving more than the council could alone and enabling groups to secure additional funding. He also confirmed that Fun and Music in the Park will revert to its previous format: a free morning for families followed by a paid music event, following feedback on last year’s full-day ticket model.
Councillor Colin Sanderson (Town Infrastructure) highlighted a survey of 88 bus shelters, many in poor condition, paving the way for a planned maintenance programme. He announced that repairs to town centre finger posts will begin next week. Adding bicycle racks to the Market Place is complicated by multiple stakeholders (three councils), with progress tied to a forthcoming road layout change around the area. Restoration of the Stratton Way underpass murals, the first project in the revamped public arts strategy, is also set to start soon.
Councillor Tom Greenaway (Environment and Amenities Committee) presented a report with images showcasing new exercise and playground equipment, the resurfaced Ock Valley Walk, and a flood container for sandbags. He highlighted the ‘Letters to Heaven’ postbox at Spring Road Cemetery, which gained widespread attention after going viral on social media, prompting a BBC Radio Oxford interview.
Councillor Jim Halliday (Finance, Governance and Asset Management) provided a figures-focused report, detailing a £2.24M budget for 2024/25, a £250,000 Abbey Hall roof repair (addressing asbestos and RAAC issues), and a 4.94% council tax rise for 2025/26—equivalent to £7.57 annually for a Band D household. The Abbey Hall work will be completed by March 31, 2025, allowing the Abbey Cinema to resume operations, though the hall is considered a liability, and the council is seeking legal advice on future options.
Councillor Mark Giddins (Planning) reported reviewing 144 planning applications and efforts to influence major projects, such as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option, to preserve Abingdon’s character.
Following the committee reports, Simon Hills, Chair of the Neighbourhood Planning Group, outlined the Neighbourhood Plan’s next steps: final adjustments by the Town Council following recent consultation and a recommendations report, further public consultation by Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC), review by a planning inspector, and a referendum. He cautioned that delays could arise due to a limited number of planning inspectors nationally.
Lucille Savin from the Abingdon Green Forum outlined the work of the Abingdon Carbon Cutters, and described the current 3 monthly focus of the Green Forum is sustainable food.
PCSO Ali Blood spoke on neighbourhood policing priorities in Abingdon, identifying the top three as tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, retail theft and fraud, and anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Penny Clover, representing the Royal British Legion, detailed plans for the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day, including ceremonies on May 8, 2025. The Town Council has opted against a traditional Bun Throw, instead exploring a fun, bun-throwing sporting event.
Several community groups delivered excellent presentations:
* The Abingdon Bridge
* Abingdon Damascus Youth Project
* Abingdon Carousel
* Friends of Abingdon Civic Society
* Guild of Town Criers
* One Planet Abingdon and One Planet Abingdon Youth
* Oxfordshire South and Vale Citizens Advice
Christ’s Hospital (submitted a report, unable to attend)
Be Free Young Carers (submitted a report, unable to attend)
Particularly moving were talks by young people who, having benefited from The Abingdon Bridge, now support their peers, and by Kate, a young woman from One Planet Abingdon’s youth group. Their reports are available online (https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/annual-parish-town-meeting-2025).
Finally, the discussion of town affairs was brief, addressing only pre-submitted questions:
Can you help accelerate work on the Oxford Road Roundabout? The response was complex and subject to change. Thames Water encountered a legacy sewer connection issue for a new estate, missing the permitted roadwork window. Developers and Thames Water are exploring alternatives, but priority A34 works may delay progress until 2026 if the new plan affects that junction.
Why was a 20 MPH speed indicator placed on a 30 MPH stretch of Oxford Road? Oxfordshire County Council recommended this, and their reasoning was provided.
What will the Town Council do to reduce dangers and maximise opportunities from the upcoming local government reorganisation? The Town Council has begun exploring this, and are reluctant to take on more responsibilities without resources. Hester Hands, the questioner, suggested a Town Council/Neighbourhood Forum, which councillors deemed worth considering.
It was disappointing that there were so few members of the public there, other than those involved with the various groups who were featured – and no challenging questions of the kind that people ask here and on social media.
I hope the Council will try to find out why – and consider a different approach in future. Was the date or timing wrong? Was the agenda too long and off putting? Was it well enough advertised? Do people prefer to raise questions via social media rather than directly? Is it a sign of apathy or cynicism?
Cynicism. They know little notice will be taken unless it is a big issue like the outdoor swimming pool (yes I know that’s a different council) or cinema. Or unless there’s an election coming up, but then it’s only empty promises and they all vote as they’re told. It’s a shame the people of Abingdon are reluctant to vote for independent councillors.
The two big issues that I might attend a meeting for would be: the roads (condition and speed limits) and the Upper Reaches hotel site, but these are reserved to a different tier of government, Generally, I am somewhat reluctant to sit through multi-topic agendas.
Single item meetings, well publicised and in reasonably comfortable venues, are more likely to draw this citizen out. All my working life, I had to attend (and often chair) committee and public meetings. I often felt that too many committees were well (if somewhat cynically) described as bodies that “keep minutes and waste hours”.
If election canvassers do not want to go from door to door talking to people, but simply push glowing and inflated accounts of their self-described successes through our letter boxes, then they should not be surprised if they are left feeling that voters are either apathetic or hostile. Door-stepping is hard work (I have done it myself) but at least people get to see you, and your expressions of interest are backed up by physical presence.
Rant over (for the moment!)
They may consider the Abbey Hall as a liability (whatever that means) but the cinema in it is a massive asset – so pleased it will shortly be reopening.
In accounting a liability is an asset that generates less value than it costs to run.