A dedicated temporary website showing plans for the project and providing a forum for your comments and thoughts can be found at http://www.guildhallproject.co.uk/

Please take time to either come along to one of the meetings, to learn more and to have your say.

Come to an event at the Guildhall

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LOCAL  ELECTIONS

Local elections in Abingdon-on-Thames onThursday 2nd May results are announced now on District and County information.

Elections were held for all seats on Oxfordshire County Council.  There were also by-elections for casual vacancies for the District Council ward of Abingdon Peachcroft and for the Town Council wards of Abbey and Barton; and Peachcroft.

The Vale of White Horse District Council is the authority which is responsible for organising and administering the elections and for further information you can reach their website through this clicking this link:   

http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/local-democracy/elections/current-and-recent-elections

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Planning in Abingdon-on-Thames                                                                                                                                                                                           
All comments on Planning should be in writing to the District Council. There is also the opportunity to contribute towards the local plan and vision for the future of the town. On 17th May there was a special meeting with the Minister for Planning and Development Nick Boles MP at the Guildhall about local concerns on issues such as the application (refused by Town Council) for 160 houses off Drayton Road.

The Town Council is a consultee in the planning process and has the opportunity to comment on all applications made in the town. Planning in Abingdon is the statutory responsibility of Vale of White Horse District Council.  The District Council makes decisions on whether or not development is permitted.  To help inform residents about the planning process and major applications affecting the town, there is now a dedicated planning page on this website, which may be accessed by clicking [here].

Planning decisions which have been made by the Vale of White Horse District Council and applications under consideration can be found [here].

County Hall Museum open - with new galleries
The Museum  in aid of the Museum appeal fund. Abingdon Museum Friends present a Spring concert of light music by Wantage Male Voice Choir.

Opening hours of the Museum are 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday.  See the newly transformed galleries - admission is free. Buns in the Basement cafe offers fresh food and refreshments. The Museum also hosts activity days and events - no charge. There are two special children's activities days on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th April. Further details can be found on the Museum's website.   
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GRANTS

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council Grants for Clubs and Societies - click here for an application form and here for the  grants criteria .    

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council's Sports Grants - the Town Council has put aside £3,000 and invite sports clubs and organisations working with disabled people to come forward and apply for a grant which would increase community involvement in sport, for example, in coaching and encouraging disabled sport.  lf you think you fit this criteria please fill-in the form.  If you feel you do not fit in with this criteria please look at the Town Council's Grants for Clubs and Societies.

Abingdon-on-Thames Joint Environmental Trust Grants -  the Trust is operated by the Town Council, and jointly financed with the Vale of White Horse District Council.  Its aim is to help preserve the best of the physical character of Abingdon, and to help improve its environment.  See here for further information.

Vale of White Horse District Council Grants - each year the council offers a number of grants to the voluntary sector.  Last year the council awarded over £385,000 to one off projects and to help support ongoing costs to charitable organisations.               

Community Covenant Grants - any project which will encourage integration between the Armed Forces and their local community is eligible to bid for project funding. The Ministry of defence has made £30 million available nationally for good schemes which link military and community and nurture understanding. Information and application details are on www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/armedforces 

Southern Oxfordshire Grants 
Announced late January, all new businesses under the age of two can apply to win the prestigious Southern Oxfordshire New Business Competition.  The prize is worth up to £6,000.  For an application form and more information please see http://www.sonbc.co.uk/ 

Sports grants
See District information and http://www.sportengland.org/ there are opportunities available for the town's sports clubs to apply for grants towards premises improvements. A lot of information which may be of value to orgaisations and individuals is on http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Not through Abingdon Town Council, many grants are available for domestic projects such as insulation, help with business start up, creative activities. Look at the District and County information or the major directories of grants and awards on-line and in the Library.

Award for restoration
The Oxford Preservation Trust have announced that theTown Council have received a major award for 2012. Abingdon County Hall Museum improvement, conservation and restoration was recognised for the high standard of work achieved by the Town Council, in collaboration with Ridge and Partners and Leadbitter. http://www.oxfordpreservationtrust.org.uk/ Awards announcement Oxford Times 8th November

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Abingdon-on-Thames Inner Neighbourhood Monthly Newsletter from our Police team which includes sessions which you can attend to speak with them. The next of these have your say events is the morning of 9th February in the Market Place. Get advice and free services such as bike and posessions security marking. February report including how to contact your neighbourhood team  March April May

Abingdon-on-Thames Fishing
Abingdon-on-Thames Fisheries offers permits to fish the Thames from 16 June to 14 March. See the Services tab on the left handside of this page. All fisheries and rod licences are the responsibility of the Environment Agency. River users should check the agency's information regularly. The height of rivers is on http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/136497

Choose Abingdon Partnership
Choose Abingdon Loyalty Cards - support the town's independent traders. Abingdon-on-Thames Chamber of Commerce and other local organisations support this initiative. Find out about local excellent markets, promotions and offers in shops, events.  http://www.chooseabingdon.co.uk/

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Jubilee Weekend Photographs
Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council worked in partnership with local photographer Harriet Thomas to produce a visual record of the four days of Jubilee celebrations in town. See what an enjoyable weekend it was and get a set of photographs for your family and friends - more on the Jubilee page.

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District and County Councils

Vale of White Horse District Council  - Services include: Building control, car parks, council tax, elections, environmental health, housing and council tax benefits, housing, leisure, sports and recreation, planning and development, public toilets, street cleaning, refuse collection, economic development. 01235 520202   Lots of direct phone numbers are available on their website and phonebook page PLEASE call them direct as although our Town offices are next door they are a separate organisation.

www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/localplanpartone

9th May is the deadline for commenting on the Local Plan. There is lots of information on the District website includings a section of evidence documents and papers on each element in the areas: 

• duty to cooperate and cross boundary issues
• the spatial strategy
• the selection of the strategic sites
• housing
• supporting economic prosperity
• transport and accessibility
• responding to climate change
• the built environment and historic environment
• the natural environment.

There is free parking for two hours in District Pay and Display off street car parks. You must show a valid ticket from the machine - and this does not include street parking or private car parks. Parking is free after 6pm.
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/transport/car-parks ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Oxfordshire County Council - Services include: Children's services and education, fire service and community safety, highways and transport (including bus times), libraries, heritage, museum services, registration of births, marriages and deaths, road safety, adult social services, trading standards, transportation, youth development, strategic planning, refuse disposal. 01865 792422  See V for voluntary work in our directory of Clubs and Societies and the full directory of local clubs on the County website