I read two short reports from last Thursday’s Town Council meeting on Twitter. But as I did not make the meeting myself here are a few quotes from Town Council committee papers and agendas from the past 2 months …
“Members were informed that work had commenced on installing a hard standing area in the MG Garden for the MG Car Club to display their cars. Members were pleased to hear that the benches, bollards and picnic table manufactured from recycled plastic had been ordered.”
“… in the first four months of opening, the number of visitors to the Museum had totalled 14,500 exceeded expectation.!”
“… need to balance the Museum being child friendly against making it “a playground”.
“Town Clerk stated that the Council did not have a licence for the sale of alcohol within the Museum. Members requested that this item be placed on the next agenda.”
“Church in Abingdon Twinning requested financial assistance for church visitors from Abingdon-on-Thames’ Twin Towns of Colmar, Schongau and Argentan to cover meals and farewell party. Grant not awarded.”
This Council objects to the recent proposals by the Boundary Commission for England for the new Parliamentary Constituency of Abingdon & Oxford North. In particular, the transfer of the Radley Ward from the constituency of Oxford West & Abingdon to the new constituency of Henley
“However, the consensus of the meeting was that whilst the Bridge Street bin storage problem was an unfortunate one, the Roysse Court Gardens was not a suitable space for storing wheelie bins.”
“Members received and considered the annual report from the District Council in relation to the Abbey Meadow Open Air Swimming Pool in confidential session.”
“As previously reported the applications for Jubilee Parks has been approved and the legal work is proceeding.” (This covers Caldecott Rec. and Box Hill Walk)
“Fun in the Park will be on 1 June 2013.”
I took my children (7 and 8) to the museum for the first time since the revamp on Saturday. I thought the balance was very good.
Why was the swimming pool report received in a closed session?
that should be “8 and a closed bracket” not a “smiley face”.
How ridiculous for Radley to be put in the Henley Ward. What twisted thinking thought that one up. There must be some political reason for it. I have questioned why part of Ock Street and housing West of West St Helen Street was included in Caldicott Ward. Ock street residents feel that they belong to Central Abingdon and have more of an interest in Central Abingdon rather than South Abingdon
What a mean-minded attitude to the church-twinning request; I doubt if our twin towns would do this.
Thanks to Backstreeter for the account!
Hi Kenny.
Just a quick note to address your query.
Nothing particularly unusual about the swimming pool report. The report wasn’t actually discussed at this meeting but was included in a minute of the finance subcommittee. Because tge town council gives a grant to the vale towards the running costs of the swimming pool we receive a report from them each year on how it is performing. This report was classified as confidential by the vale and as such the town council respects that by not publishing openly. I can’t speak for the vale on why the report is confidential but it did contain quite a few numbers so may be linked to commercial discussions.
A separate item not reported here also affirmed the town councils desire to continue supporting te pool next year.
John – in regard to the twinning grant, I’m afraid whilst it sounds a bit ‘hard hearted’ the grants committee looked carefully at this application and it was not for an item which the town gives grants towards. This doesn’t reflect on the desirability of the organisation, and a point was made that they are very welcome to apply for grants for different purposes.
14,500 museum visitors eh? I hear they are double counting many visitors purely to boost numbers!
@Theoxonian – forgive me for assuming that something that ‘you hear’ might, in fact, be a load of oblox.
I think the refurbished museum is fantastic and there have certainly been noticeably more people in it whenever I’ve been in recently.
I’m really glad people are enjoying the museum! Thank you so much to everyone who has already been! Keep coming!!