Some villagers may have noticed that there is a sign on the Charbridge Lane indicating a road closure between 29 April and 2 May.
We have been informed that Charbridge Lane is scheduled for top dressing, but it is not possible to specify an exact date at the moment – mainly because it is a rolling programme which is dependent on the weather.
It is likely to actually be closed for about three hours at some point over those days.
Perhaps all those who have commented negatively and personally on the recent Speedwatch posts (both on the village groups and TVP Cherwell’s post – which appears to have now been removed) should reflect on how they would like to be on the receiving end of such negativity?
The comments affect actual people.
These people may just be a photograph on a screen to you but they are people who simply wanted to help their community by doing something positive to support the village to reduce the speed of the traffic. The traffic speeds which have been steadily increasing over time as more and more drivers use the village roads as a rat run – often with very little respect for the people who live here.
Let’s hope that the installation of the new Speed Indicator Devices have more effect.
Because, as a result of all last week’s unpleasantness, it is unlikely that the Speedwatch group will continue.
TuffNutterz is coming back to Bicester Heritage between 29 March and 7 April.
There is a special 25% discount which ends on 15 March.
Just use the code BICESTER25
For more information see: https://www.tuffnutterz.co.uk/our-eventsuk
The Parish Council considered the detailed budget and the Precept request (the amount the Parish Council requires for meeting the expenses of running the Council) for the year 2024 / 25 at the meeting on 5 January.
The budget of £52,754 was agreed. This took into account the range of Parish responsibilities, particularly those of taking over the management and refurbishment of the Parish Hall, but also including village grass cutting and weed spraying, the dog bin emptying, meeting costs, saving for replacement street furniture, road safety, reserves.
The Parish had been given the Tax Base figure (broadly, the number of Band D equivalent dwellings in the village) by CDC which was estimated at 619.9; this was an increase from 615.7 the previous year. Following the calculations, it was agreed to increase the Precept to £51,592 which was an increase of £11,849. The annual cost to a Band D household would be approximately £83.23 – an increase of £18.68 over the whole year.
However, it is worth noting that the Band D equivalent for a resident of Bicester for 23/24 was £137.20.
More information about how the Tax Base figure is calculated is available on the Parish Council website at Financing the Parish Council
For anyone interested, the draft budget and precept calculations can be found on the Parish Council website under the January Items for Information at 2023 – 2024 Agenda and Minutes
We are pleased to announce that the Parish Council has now arranged for a new defibrillator which has been installed on the outside of the Parish Hall (What3Words: ///dizzy.impresses.hockey ).
This has been provided by the London Hearts Charity with matched funding, and installation costs, paid by the Parish Council.
We, obviously, hope it is never needed, but if it is, it is now fully available and registered with the South Central Ambulance Service.
As with any defibrillator, once you have dialled 999, the Ambulance call handler will tell you if it is needed, where your nearest appliance is and will give you the access code.
Save the date!
Volunteers of all ages needed!
Come and join us on Saturday 9 March to help get the village clean and tidy for the summer.
We’ll meet at the Parish Hall from 10am and will have litter pickers, hi-vis vests, gloves and bags available.
The marvellous WI’s refreshments will be available to all who return their equipment to the hall!
We have arranged some Defibrillator Awareness training with a Community First Responder from South Central Ambulance Service for anyone interested to learn more about the defibrillator and how it works.
There will probably be some basic first aid training too.
Come and join us on Saturday 27 January at 10am until 12noon in the Parish Hall (refreshments provided).
The Parish Council will be making a donation to the Community First Responder, but any other contributions will be welcome.
We will need to know numbers so please email clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk / or leave a message / text 07305 303889 with your name and contact details if you would like to join us.
Advanced Notice about refuse, recycling, and food waste collections over Christmas and New Year.
From Tuesday 26 December 2023, the bin collections will be a day later than usual.
In Launton this means that the green and food caddy bins will need to be out ready for collection by 7.00am on Wednesday 27 December.
Normal collections will resume on on Tuesday 2 January with the blue (recycling) and food waste.
Garden Waste Collections
The Garden Waste collections will be suspended for two weeks from Tuesday 26 December until and including Friday 5 January, to allow crews to prioritise the additional recycling and food waste that accrues over Christmas.
Any garden waste which can’t wait for the next collection (on 16 January) can be taken to the local Household Waste Recycling Centre at Ardley.
Christmas tree recycling
CDC will be collecting real Christmas trees from Tuesday 9 January until and including Friday 19 January. Launton’s date will be 16 January. Please ensure that all lights and decorations have been removed from the tree.
Any tree that is over 5ft / 1.5m tall must be cut in half.
Information is also available on Cherwell District Council’s page at https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/10/rubbish-and-recycling/1029/christmas-collection-dates
We have become aware that some vehicles driving through Launton are not observing the fact that our village now has a 20mph speed limit.
We have been made aware of instances where the 17 bus between Aylesbury and Bicester has failed to come through the village.
If you have been unable to use the bus because it has not been available, we have been advised that you should contact the operators, Red Rose, directly – Office@redrosetravel.com / 01296 747926 – with the exact details including:
The Red Rose Company receives a subsidy from OCC to provide the service through Launton so OCC needs to know if this service isn’t being delivered – contact them on public.transport@oxfordshire.gov.uk. Though problems should be reported to Red Rose first.
Do feel free to copy in the Parish Council (clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk) as well. We will liaise with Oxfordshire County Council should problems persist.
