I just spent a heart-warming hour with @Nick_Clegg. Well, not personally in person (as they would say in Montalbano), but in his members-only webinar, where he took questions and answered like a champion.

I tend to view leaders, whether local or global, through a developmental lens, looking to see how much complexity they’re comfortable with, and whether they present an integral AQAL view. Clegg spoke of two things that moved me.

First, children need to feel cherished and special, and their behaviours tend to reflect how they feel. In order to combat any environmental disadvantages that they’re born into, the pupil premium is intended to embellish their early educational experiences, and reduce socio-economic inequality.

Second, whether the House of Lords should be reformed isn’t something most people care too much about, and isn’t the highest priority for government in these times. But when you look at it from a larger, third person perspective, it’s very important. What do the rest of the world think of the clash of our espoused democratic principles and our unelected House of Lords?

Twas fun to watch #Clegginar trend on Twitter. Annoying spam and porn bots though. But I saw lots of cool thoughtful people to follow.

Within the approved Vale budget is £30k for strategic property advice for the Westway Centre:

The Vale Council, as part of a consortium of land owners, presently proposes to sell off part of its freehold interest in this site for a food store development, which if successful will generate a substantial capital receipt. Part of that receipt is earmarked for a refurbishment of the remaining centre in order to upgrade the appearance of the centre and it appeal to shoppers and retailers. The work will require the services of a number of professionals and this bid is to fund those costs for 2012/13.

So far, the only provision we have for replacement facilities for Seacourt Hall and the Botley Library are verbal assurances from the Vale.

I seconded an amendment to this years’ budget that could have been used to provide more certainty, but it was defeated.

Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District Councils are part of the Warm Homes Healthy
People project which has recently been awarded £160,000 from the Department of Health to help
vulnerable people who are struggling to pay their fuel bills.

The project, led by NHS Oxfordshire, brings together a wide range of organisations including all of the Oxfordshire local authorities as well as the Citizens Advice Bureaux, Age UK and the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council. The funding, which has to be spend by the end of March, is being used to provide the following assistance:

• small energy saving home improvements (e.g. draft-proofing) for over 60s;
• benefit entitlement checks for anyone;
• free membership to the ORCC oil bulk-buying scheme for those struggling to afford the cost of heating oil;
• fuel vouchers for benefit recipients and those in fuel poverty;
• food boxes for those struggling to afford or unable to get food.

For more information about the Warm Homes Healthy People project and the help that is available can call the Warm Homes Healthy People Helpline on 0844 887 0005.

Or contact Synthia Sullvan, Energy Officer, 01235 540537, cynthia.sullivan@southandvale.gov.uk

Residents are being encouraged to sign up to receive their council tax bill by email to help save money, and those who do will be entered in a draw to have their entire 2012/13 council tax paid for them.

Council has agreed to pay the entire 2012/13 council tax bill for one resident drawn randomly from the e-billing list. To enter the draw, council tax payers need to sign up by Tuesday 31 January.  Send an email to vowh.counciltax@secure.capita.co.uk

The cabinet member for communications, Cllr Yvonne Constance (email yvonne.constance@whitehorsedc.gov.uk), has this week decided to stop publishing the council’s residents’ magazine Unvaled in order to save £39,600 a year.

Instead, they say, the council will be making better use of other ways of communicating with residents, including via its annual leaflet in March with council tax bills and the tags that are left on all bins in the district to let residents know about revised waste collections over Christmas and Easter.

The decision to stop Unvaled will be communicated via the local media, and we will also be informing key partners including parish councils. You can continue to find out about council news and services, including by:

• Sign up for a free waste text message to let you know if your collection day has changed due to bank holidays or bad weather. To register send a text message with the word ‘waste’ and your collection day to 07797 870371. Eg Waste Wednesday.

• Follow the Vale on Twitter for news alerts, details of events, links to press releases and other useful information. Go to www.twitter.com/WhiteHorseDC

• Visit the Vale’s website at www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk for detailed information about services and to find out the latest council news. You can also make payments, report problems or register for services via the Vale’s website.

• Visit the Vale offices at Abbey House, Abingdon, or call on 01235 520202. Offices are open Monday to Thursdays 8.30am-5pm and on Fridays from 8.30am-4.30pm. You can also write to the council at Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE; email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk or fax 01235 540395.

It’s not clear whether they considered that many residents do not use the internet regularly, nor how they will replace the sort of ‘push’ communications that Unvaled has delivered so well over the years.

I would have preferred that it continue to be produced, and perhaps published on the website rather than be distributed in physical hard copy. That way I could check for it or sign up for an alert to come to me when a new issue is published.

For more information, contact Vicky Tilley
(01235) 540528
victoria.tilley@southandvale.gov.uk

Message from Thames Valley Police

Most of you will have heard in the news about the recent disorder in
London. I would like to reassure you that we will be doing all that we
can to ensure that this type of behaviour does not take place in your
area.

You may notice an increase in the number of police officers at this
time and this should not cause alarm. These officers are there to
provide reassurance, prevent any incidents from happening and tackle any
criminal activity that may occur.

There have been a lot of rumours circulating on social networking sites
about ‘riots’, some of which are untrue or greatly exaggerated.
However, there has been some disorder across the force area.

These are copy cat incidents of those that have been happening in
London, although involving far viewer people. Obviously, we are aware
that these incidents and the images people will have seen from the
problems in London and other areas of the country will be causing
distress and anxiety.

I would also like to appeal to the community to let police know of any
suspicious looking gatherings of young people and any information they
may have about people who may have been involved in disorder.

If you see any suspicious behaviour contact Thames Valley Police on
0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, if you do not want to speak to police, or
leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555
111.

Chief Inspector Andy Boyd
Deputy Local Policing Area commander – South Oxfordshire and the Vale
of White Horse

Advice for businesses

Thames Valley Police offer the following precautionary advice to
businesses:

– Ensure staff report any suspicious activity to security officials and
police.
– Consider regular checks of the building and surrounding areas.
Identify any areas that are vulnerable and remove loose objects that
could be used as missiles.
– Make sure all service doors are kept locked and secure when not in
use.
– Ensure your CCTV system is fully operational.
– Consider removing high-value goods from display windows overnight.
– Keep as little cash as possible in the building overnight.
– Where possible, retail premises should be suitably staffed with
security guards.
– Landlords need to ensure that residents living above commercial
premises are aware of risks and ensure that all fire alarms, smoke
alarms and fire escapes are fully functional.
– Does your alarm company have the latest keyholder information? If
not, call them now.
– Does your business have an emergency business plan?
– Petrol stations should avoid selling petrol in small containers.
– In the event of an emergency, call 999.

Olivia Bucknall
Shared Communications Officer

Corporate Strategy
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils
Tel: 01491 823022
Text phone users add 18001 before you dial

Visit us at:
www.southoxon.gov.uk
www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk