Oxfordshire Unitary Council

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One Oxfordshire
Proposals to reduce the number of local councils from three levels to two look increasingly likely. Consultation information can be found on the table near the entrance of Abingdon Library for the ‘One Oxfordshire’ proposal already launched by the leaders of Oxfordshire County Council. Responses to that consultation, which can also be found at http://www.oneoxfordshire.org/, end on 28th February 2017.
A Unitary Oxfordshire
The leaders of the Vale of White Horse District Council, and South Oxfordshire, have also announced today that they want to work together with Oxfordshire County Council to develop a proposal for a unitary council that represents the best deal for the people of Oxfordshire. They say they hope all the councils will be involved.

A unitary council running the joint County Council and District Council services would include the following…

County Council Services:
Child protection
Fostering and adoption
Adult social services
Educational Support
Roads and transport
Fire and Rescue service
Waste disposal
Public Health
Libraries
Trading Standards
Countryside access
Parking

District/city council services:
Housing and benfits
Parks and leisure
Local planning
Street cleaning
Waste collection
Environmental health
Concil tax collection
Electoral registration

We will have to see how the proposals develop, but Abingdon Town Council would continue to provide local services in some areas, and might gain some local services as three layers of council is reduced to two.

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council provides:
Guildhall and Museum
Information Centre
Allotments
Cemeteries
Parks and Open Spaces
Christmas Lights
Market Place, markets and fairs
Fisheries
Abingdon in Bloom

Event Artist at Thameside Primary School

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Thameside Primary
At Thameside School, off Preston Road, in Abingdon can be seen lots of colourful artwork, usually that of the students. Last time I was there, in my role as Governor, I did like the new pictures in the Head’s office. They are done by an artist friend of one of the teachers. He is an event artist and does birthday parties, weddings, concerts, ceremonies…. and on this occasion he came to Thameside to do some art, for free, of a school event.

His website and Facebook pages are at the following links: http://www.merlinporter.co.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/MerlinPorterArts/

Extended Surgery Hours

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Extended Surgery Hours
As I understand it, from reading the Herald, doctor’s surgeries in Abingdon and surrounds have started opening at the weekend from this weekend. The Malthouse Surgery was open this morning …
Extended Surgery Hours
as was the Abingdon Surgery for pre-booked appointments. I was also told that the Malthouse will be open tomorrow – Sunday. Surgeries will be working together, so you book through your own surgery but may get an appointment elsewhere depending on the rotation of who is open. It will also allow evening appointments to 8 pm.
Extended Surgery Hours
The Malthouse will be taking on new GPs to cater with their extended hours, so I am not sure there will be room on the board for all 14 of them.
Extended Surgery Hours
Both Dr Crossley, and Dr Buttar are now gone from the top of the board at the Abingdon Surgery, as younger doctors start heading up the practice.

There is also the minor injuries at the Community Hospital who are open to 10:30 pm. All this will hopefully reduce the burden on A&E at the JR.

Old Anchor Re-opens

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Old Anchor Re-opens
Spike says … ‘The Old Anchor re-opened its doors yesterday for the second time in less than 12 months. The new female manager, Rebecca, will be living on site with assistance from Lee this week and under the umbrella of the Landlord from The Shepherds Hut over at RAF Benson. They are holding an open night this Saturday for customers to sample their new Tappas menu. The chef is half Spanish and experienced in the pub trade so let’s hope this time it’s a great success.’
Old Anchor Re-opens
The first picture was taken nearly two weeks ago. The second was this afternoon when the fast flow of the River Thames was met by a strong headwind from Culham – producing some waves.