Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency
The Council has established a dedicated section of its website to update residents on the impact on Council services, the Council’s actions and to provide information. Please click here.
Abingdon-on-Thames is a vibrant market town with a population of over 33,000. Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council is a parish council under the Local Government Act 1972 and is the successor authority in terms of parish functions to the Abingdon Borough Council. The Town Council is responsible to the residents of Abingdon-on-Thames for a wide range of services. In this section of the Abingdon-on-Thames website we outline these services, as well as information about council meetings, committees, councillors, budget spending and the civic calendar.
The Council’s Vision is “to develop an inclusive community so that Abingdon is the place where everyone wants to live and where the wellbeing of residents is prioritised. In developing this community, the town will be one which is environmentally sustainable, vibrant, resilient and safe.” This is core to delivering and developing our services. The Council has adopted four key strategic objectives in order to acheive this Vision:
1 To respond effectively and speedily to the climate emergency.
2 To develop a resilient, sustainable town which will provide a home for residents now and in the future.
3 To manage the Council’s assets efficiently and effectively to meet for the needs of the community now and in the future.
4 To work with community partners to support those who are vulnerable and in need and to create opportunities to increase social inclusivity.
Find our contact details on the contact us page.
Friends of the Earth survey
Please see the below from South Oxfordshire and The Vale of White Horse District Council
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have welcomed a call from Oxford Friends of the Earth for all Oxfordshire councils to do everything they can to tackle the climate emergency, while highlighting the positive work that is already taking place.
Oxford Friends of the Earth published a report last week entitled ‘In case of emergency…’ that looks at what the six Oxfordshire councils have done in the two years since they all declared a climate emergency. The report is the first independent analysis of climate action by councils and shows that they have all set ambitious targets and carried out positive work, and that there appears to be genuine commitment to act, but it says more needs to be done if those targets are to be met.
Cllr Sue Cooper, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We welcome the feedback and recommendations from the Friends of the Earth survey and appreciate the time and effort they have put into developing the suggested ways forward. We have already carried out a significant amount of work to ensure we put the tackling the climate emergency at the heart of everything we do, and we are now looking at the specific actions that could make a real difference, both as a council and as a district.
“We were glad to be able to contribute to this survey, giving updates on the climate action work being done and planned to take place.”
Cllr Catherine Webber, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Environment at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Friends of the Earth are absolutely right to issue councils like ours with this call-to-action – it’s important that we’re all focused on what is a significant challenge. We have already begun taking real action, like the project to overhaul the heating system at Faringdon Leisure Centre, and we are already set to deliver some of the recommendations highlighted by Friends of the Earth, including staff training on the climate emergency.
“We continue to make significant strides in ensuring we are in the best place possible locally to tackle this challenge and look forward to working with Friends of the Earth and people across the Oxfordshire community on climate action projects.”
In February 2019 both councils declared a climate emergency and since then have published have new Corporate Plans which put tackling the issue at the forefront of their councils’ work.
South Oxfordshire also declared an Ecological Emergency and introduced a Climate and Ecological Emergencies Advisory Committee (CEEAC) to advise Cabinet on the climate and ecological crises, while the Vale launched its own Climate Emergency Advisory Committee.
Both councils have set targets to become a carbon neutral council by 2025 for south and by 2030 for Vale, and a carbon neutral district by 2030 and 2045 respective. South Oxfordshire has also published updated Air Quality Guidance for Developers.
There are some exciting new projects just around the corner too, both districts are working closely with Oxfordshire County Council on a park and charge scheme which aims to install electric vehicle chargers in the district.
Litter Bug Detectives Trail
From Saturday 29 May to Saturday 5 June Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils are running a new Litter Bug Detectives Trail for children in four parks across southern Oxfordshire.
The trails will be available in Edmonds Park in Didcot, Southern Road Recreation Ground in Thame, Abbey Garden Meadows in Abingdon and Memorial Park in Wantage.
The activities are aimed at primary school children and have been produced to promote recycling and reuse messages and explaining the damage litter does to our environment.
Each trail will be between 0.6km and 1.5km long.
Cllr Catherine Webber, Vale of White Horse District Council cabinet member for Climate Emergency and the environment, said: “While the trail offers children (and those looking after them) something fun to do in the half term holiday, there are also some important messages about recycling and managing our waste to learn along the way.”
Cllr David Rouane, South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for housing and environment said: “The councils are always looking for ways to promote recycling and reuse messages to people of all ages. It is also important to impress upon them how damaging litter can be to wildlife and our environment.”
How to take part
- Go to our webpage here – www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/litter-bug-detectives-trail – download the trail map of the park you wish to visit. The map will show a trail to 13 sites around the park
- At each site there will be a question on the themes of waste and recycling. The 13 answers will provide you with a letter each to make two words.
- Email the two-word answer and your name and address to wasteteam@southandvale.gov.uk before midnight on Saturday 5 June (World Environment Day) and we will send you a Litter Bug Detective Certificate.
Air quality superhero competition
Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils have launched a competition for primary school children to design a superhero to tackle air pollution. The councils will be giving a new Micro scooter* as a top prize to one winner in each district.
Children can draw their superheroes or create them as models. The judges are looking for a hero who can easily get about without using cars and whose superpowers can help make our air cleaner and clearer.
The competition is part of the councils’ air quality campaign called Turn It Off which is primarily aimed at drivers who let their vehicles engines idle while they are waiting for passengers – often waiting outside schools.
Air pollution is created from pollutants getting into the air. Petrol and diesel vehicles emit pollutants from their exhaust pipes into the air. Increased traffic means increased air pollution.
These air pollutants are linked to a higher chance of developing lung cancer, heart disease, asthma, coughs and bronchitis, particularly in vulnerable people such as older people and children.
Keeping the engine running – known as idling – while parked at the side of the road, sitting in traffic, or waiting to collect someone, contributes to an increase in levels of air pollutants.
According to information from DEFRA, if a vehicle engine is turned off and restarted after a minute or more this will result in less pollution than if the vehicle was idling for that time.
Cllr Catherine Webber, Vale of White Horse District Council cabinet member for the Climate Emergency and the environment said: “Air pollution is a serious risk to everyone’s health, but particularly to vulnerable people such as the elderly and young children.
“It’s so important we tackle this issue and one of the ways we can do this is to continue with our campaign to make residents – of all ages – aware of how important it is we reduce our use of pollutant-emitting vehicles where we can.”
Cllr David Rouane South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for housing and the environment said: “This competition is fun but it is also designed to make children aware of the issue of air pollution and ways to reduce it.
“However, you don’t have to be a superhero to help tackle air pollution. Turning off engines when parked is a superpower we all have.”
More info on Turn it Off.
The competition
To take part in the competition click here
*Terms & Conditions
Entrants must be aged 12 or under
They should create a superhero using our activity sheet here (if creating a model please send a photograph) including their superhero’s name and superpowers. Also importantly their name, age and contact details. If applying through schools – the child’s name and the school’s contact details are all that is necessary.
We will use entries as part of our promotional work including on social media, unless entrants indicate otherwise.
All entries should be sent to us BY POST to Air Quality Superhero Competition, Air Quality team, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, OX14 4SB
The deadline for all entries is World Environment Day – 5 June.
The competition will be judged by our councillors and the winner announced on Clean Air Day – 17 June 2021.
Please note all prizes are non-exchangeable and non-transferable.
No cash alternatives will be provided.
The winner and winner’s school
- *The winner will win a Micro scooter – they can choose the size and colour.
- The winner’s school will receive a custom-made roadside banner warning against anti-idling using the winner’s design.
- All schools which send entries will get anti-idling stickers, posters and key rings
White Horse Community Lottery
Please see the below from the White Horse District Council
The Vale of White Horse District Council’s new lottery, the White Horse Community Lottery will launch in June with a special virtual event.
Organisations from the district’s voluntary and community sector will be invited by the council to attend the event on Monday 14 June to find out how they can benefit from income raised through the Vale’s new community lottery.
The event is to be held online due to Covid-19 restrictions, welcoming volunteers, staff and trustees from local voluntary organisations, as well as Vale of White Horse District councillors and the team from Gatherwell who will run the lottery on behalf of the council.
The lottery will have a weekly jackpot of £25,000 and will be available for residents to play online. The draw will take place every Saturday, with a jackpot going to anybody who matches a sequence of six numbers. The other prizes are £2,000, £250, £25 or three free tickets.
Residents can get involved by buying tickets which will cost £1 per week with 50p going towards the player’s chosen local good cause. 10p of the remaining money goes into the central community fund, 20p to the prize fund, 17p towards the administration of the lottery, and 3p on VAT.
Proceeds from the White Horse Lottery central community fund will be spent on providing vital support to a wide range of local organisations and community initiatives which have a beneficial impact on the local community.
The first draw for the White Horse Community Lottery will take place in September.
Any community groups and charities operating in the Vale of White Horse wanting to register their interest and find out more are being asked to email communityenablement@southandvale.gov.uk.
Cllr Margaret Crick, Chair of Vale of White Horse District Council said: “This is such a good way for local organisations and good causes to get much needed funding and for residents in the Vale to support the organisations that are important to them. By getting involved residents can make a difference to where they live in the district. It’s great that we have already had so much interest in the lottery and it hasn’t even launched yet.
“I am really looking forward to hearing from local organisations at our launch event about how funding from our new lottery will help them.”
Cllr Bethia Thomas, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement at Vale of White Horse District Council said: “I’m really pleased to be hosting the virtual event for our community lottery launch. It will be great to hear from local organisations that have benefitted from the SO Charitable Lottery so that VCS groups in the Vale can get inspired to register. This is all about local people helping organisations in their community.”
Annual Town Meeting – 10th March 2021 – 7PM
The Town Meeting is a meeting of the local government electors of Abingdon which may be attended by all electors of the town.
Under statute, the Town Meeting is convened annually by the Mayor and must take place between 1st March and 1st June. The Mayor chairs the meeting and the meeting itself is organised by the Town Council, however, it is not a meeting of the Town Council itself.
Whilst it is not a legal requirement, the Council takes the opportunity at the meeting to provide updates on its work. The Chairs of the Council’s various Committees present reports to the meeting to detail what the Committee has been doing during the last year.
The Annual Town Meeting for 2021 will take place at 7pm on Wednesday 10 March.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and government restrictions, the meeting will be held online. For more information and how to join see here.
Maintenance work at the multi-storey Charter car park in Abingdon
Please see the below from the Vale of White Horse District Council:
Maintenance work at the multi-storey Charter car park in Abingdon
Through the regular maintenance checks of council facilities, some urgent repair work has been identified that needs to be completed to ensure the safety of the users at the multi-storey car park in Abingdon. This means Levels 3 and upwards will be closed from 7.30pm on Wednesday 3 March until further notice.
We are currently assessing how long the works will take, but it’s likely to be a number of months. We appreciate that this is a long time, but it’s important to ensure these repairs are carried out carefully. We will let you know as soon as we have a firm idea of when the upper levels can reopen.
The lower two levels of the multi-storey will remain open, however space will be very limited and so we would encourage motorists use the town’s other car parks:
- Abbey Close, OX14 3JE
- Audlett Drive, OX14 3ND
- Cattle Market, OX14 3JE
- Civic (off Abbey Close), OX14 3JH
- Hales Meadow, OX14 3NN
- Rye Farm, OX14 3NN
- West St Helen Street, OX14 5BU
For more information about these car parks please visit – https://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/vale-of-white-horse-district-council/parking-roads-and-streets/parking/car-parks/abingdon-car-parks/.
We have contacted permit holders confirming alternative arrangements.
Please accept our apologies for the short notice and any inconvenience this may cause, but the health and safety of all car park users is our priority.
Christs Hospital of Abingdon – Home Learning Project
Abingdon Town Council has been working with Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon who have recently funded an initiative that enables schools to provide every child in Abingdon access to the equipment they need to effectively carry out home learning during the pandemic, and beyond, now that the use of such technology has become a fundamental part of teaching and is viewed as an essential skill for 80% of jobs available when they eventually leave school.
The Governors of Christ Hospital are delighted to have been able to support one of their key commitments to help provide educational support to Abingdon school pupils in need by funding 143 laptops so far.
Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon is the oldest of Oxfordshire’s charities and dates from 1553. It provides assistance to the people of Abingdon through four primary means:
1) The provision of Almshouses to townsfolk who are of good character, over 50 years of age and in need,
2) The support of those referred to the Charity by care agencies by assisting with the purchase of essential items,
3) Educational support to school pupils from Abingdon,
4) The support of local organizations deemed by the Governors to be of benefit to Abingdon townsfolk who are in need.
The Charity also provides public service to the town by maintaining Albert Park for use by the people of Abingdon and by maintaining the town’s historical Almshouses to the standards required of listed buildings and of comfortable modern living.
Navigating Universal Credit
Due to the impact of Coronavirus over 5.5 million people are claiming Universal Credit. Many of them are new to claiming Universal Credit having been negatively impacted by Coronavirus.
As a result, we are sharing the following guide to help local people navigate claiming Universal Credit.
Here’s the Universal Credit guide https://www.jobcentrenearme.com/universal-credit/
For Interview tips and Practise Aptitude Tests please see here:
Neighbourhood Plan Focus Groups
The newly formed Neighbourhood Plan Steering group for Abingdon is really keen to capture a wide and representative range of voices.
In the next few weeks themed, virtual focus groups are being held to gathers views and ideas. The Eventbrite registration links for the 10 x focus groups have been set up and are detailed below. There are 15 places per group so please sign up soon to avoid disappointment.
ABINGDON FAMILIES
Tue 23 Feb [7.30pm until 9.00pm]
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/abingdon-neighbourhood-plan-abingdon-families-tickets-141344608529
Are you an adult of working age? Either with or without children, we want to hear from you. What are opportunities and challenges in Abingdon are you navigating at your stage in life? We want to know about your working week, what you do at weekends, what you do for leisure, your thoughts about the homes and schools on offer in the town. If you moved here recently, what brought you to the town? If you were born and grew up here, what keeps you in Abingdon? What changes would make Abingdon even better?
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.
ACCESS & MOVEMENT
Wed 24 Feb [1.30pm until 3.00pm]
How do you get around Abingdon? Can you access the places you need to get to easily and without too much hassle? Or do you find it difficult and frustrating? Are the streets and spaces easy to navigate? What can make life easier for you as a pedestrian or somebody that needs to go into town often? We know that Covid-19 restrictions have limited our ability to move around but as the town comes out of lockdown, what changes would you want to see? How can we build a town where everybody has equal opportunity, no matter how the choose to travel?
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.
LEISURE & SPORTS
Thu 25 Feb [11am until 12.30pm]
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/abingdon-neighbourhood-plan-leisure-sports-tickets-141383542983
Are you a member of a sports club in Abingdon? This could be traditional team sports like football, cricket, or rugby. Or more individual sports, like running, cycling or tennis. Does your chosen sport need facilities, like a club house, changing rooms or pitches? What investment do you need to keep your sport popular and allow participation to flourish? The neighbourhood plan can include planning policies to help support sports and leisure activities across the town and we want to hear from you.
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.
CULTURE
Thu 25 Feb [1.30pm until 3.00pm]
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/abingdon-neighbourhood-plan-culture-tickets-141383635259
What is the culture of Abingdon? Where and what are the cultural hotspots? The theatres, pubs, cinemas, museums, nightclubs – we want to explore the culture of the town, both the visible and the less obvious. What traditions do you want to keep alive? And what are the alternative cultural trends? Music, art, and design? What cultural attractions will keep Abingdon alive and dynamic in future. We know that Covid-19 lockdowns have seriously affected cultural life around the world. Now is the time to review what culture means to us all and to look ahead to a brighter cultural future.
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.
HEALTHY TOWN & OUTDOOR RECREATION
Fri 26 Feb [11am until 12.30pm]
What makes a healthy town? A good mix of parks and green spaces, access to informal recreation and opportunities to be outdoors all play a big role in mental health and wellbeing. We know that Covid-19 lockdowns have given many people across the country the time to get out and about and opportunity to explore where they live. There has been a new found enthusiasm for life outdoors and for living a healthy life. What does Abingdon need to maintain these opportunities? Can the town adopt an even greater healthy town mindset? We want to hear from you.
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Mon 1 Mar [1.30pm until 3.00pm]
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/abingdon-neighbourhood-plan-the-environment-tickets-141383853913
The Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan can play a significant role in improving the environment for future generations. By adopting planning policies that influence energy consumption in new buildings, construction techniques and issues around traffic and transport, a neighbourhood plan is a powerful tool to shape the future. Carbon reduction and tackling the climate crisis are critical challenges in 2021. How should Abingdon respond, and which environmental policies and projects should be included in the neighbourhood plan?
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.
HERITAGE & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Tue 2 Mar [1.30pm until 3.00pm]
Abingdon has a long and rich history, and this leaves a legacy of many fabulous heritage buildings. The town contains 277 Listed Building, seven Scheduled Ancient Monuments and three Conservation Areas, all testament to this richness of the town’s built environment. While these assets all benefit from national level protection, what more can the neighbourhood plan do? What policies or proposals should the plan contain to ensure that future building meets the needs of the town?
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.
BUSINESS, ECONOMY & THE TOWN CENTRE
Wed 3 Mar [7.30pm until 9.00pm]
What will be the businesses and economy opportunities in Abingdon ten years from now? What types of jobs and employment will be on offer in the future? While nobody an accurately predict the future, we need to do our best to shape the future of business across the town through the neighbourhood plan as best we can. Even before the Covid-19 lockdowns, town centres were changing with a rapid decline in retailing. As we emerge into a new world, what will make the town centre an appealing place to spend time?
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.
YOUTH 7-11 YEARS OLD
Mon 8 Mar [6.00pm until 7.30pm]
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/abingdon-neighbourhood-plan-youth-7-11-years-old-tickets-141384766643
This session will explore the issues that affect those who live in Abingdon and are aged between 7 and 11 years old. Which places do you love to go to? Are there places to avoid? What makes you happy? What is missing from the town? What sort of place should it be in future? Where do you and your friends like to be at the weekend or after school? Which places have you visited that you really like and think Abingdon could learn from? This is a chance for you to have your say.
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.
YOUTH 12-16 YEARS OLD
Tue 9 Mar [7.30pm until 9.00pm]
This session will explore the issues that affect those who live in Abingdon and are aged between 12 and 16 years old. Which places do you love to go to? Are there places to avoid? What makes you happy? What is missing from the town? What sort of place should it be in future? Where do you and your friends like to be at the weekend or after school? Which places have you visited that you really like and think Abingdon could learn from? This is a chance for you to have your say.
This session is a working focus group, using digital maps. It will last 90 minutes and is limited to 15 participants. This is an early session to begin to develop themes and ideas for the Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan. If you cannot take part on this date, or there are no places remaining, do not worry. There will be further opportunities to contribute as the neighbourhood plan project develops.