Headington School: construction work starts

Construction work is starting on the new classroom building at Headington School.

The  works are scheduled to commence today Monday 27 June 2011 when a temporary access will be formed from Woodlands Road into the rear of the School’s property. 

Construction of the new building will start on 11 July 2011 and will continue for about 14 months.

Access to the site will be via a temporary entrance off Woodlands Road. This access/egress will be used by construction traffic from 27 June whilst the construction of the new building progresses.  The kerb will be modified to allow vehicles to enter into the site easily and all verges and pavements will be reinstated after the completion of the project.  Kingerlee will carefully monitor traffic and clear away any mud that might be deposited on the road.

The Woodlands Rd entrance is being used as this was deemed by the Highways Authority to be safer than the one from Headley Way. Local residents are being notified by leaflet. 

2 parking bays, an 11m section, of the residents parking is to be suspended for the duration of the works.

FAQs: taxis and bus gates

Following questions at the Osler Road residents’ meeting with various agencies including County, a senior officer has checked to see if taxis trigger bus lights – at the bus gate, it is only the general traffic lane that is signalised. (Sorry, his word not ours!)

Buses trigger a red light for traffic, but taxis do not.  There is a give-way marking at the end of the bus lane, so that taxis, cycles and anything else that does not trigger the red light for traffic can get out of the bus lane, giving way to any traffic in the general traffic lane.

Osler Road residents’ group gets results!

Busy Osler Road traffic

Congratulations to Louise and Jonathan for getting some action to make Osler Road safer when parents drop off and collect  children at the Nursery.

After the residents’ meeting that Ruth had facilitated with agencies including the bus companies, the Trust and the County, the residents’ group  has secured an agreement for an officer to

“instigate the work to install two sections of pedestrian guard rail on the public footpath outside the nursery, subject to a survey…before the end of July”

Another initiative resulting from this meeting is that a county member of staff will come and talk to the nursery children about road safety.

What a great result from our most recently set up residents’ group in Headington!

News on 20 MPH signage

Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker MP has announced measures to make it easier for councils to introduce 20 mph speed limits. The changes mean that councils will now be permitted to use 20 mph signs painted on the road as an alternative to street signs.

We have already investigated the option of painted signs on the roads in Highfield, and are bidding to get four such 20 MPH roundels painted in the area this year in conjunction with Highfield Residents’ Association

To read the full press release, please click here

Go compare…..council tax across England

As part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to transparency, Ministers have  published new figures showing exactly who pays for local government services. A new council tax ‘heat map‘ shows how each resident in different parts of the country contributes in council tax, and how much they conversely receive in central government grant.

This new analysis makes it possible to compare how much councils get in formula grant and council tax per person in each area of the country. This analysis is another step towards de-mystifying the council finance system for residents.

The ten councils which contribute the most council tax per head (based on band D property) are all in London or the South:

  • Richmond upon Thames (£755 per head)
  • Chiltern (£734)
  • South Bucks (£734)
  • Elmbridge (£729)
  • East Dorset (£722)
  • West Dorset (£717)
  • Purbeck (£716)
  • Wealden (£716)
  • Mole Valley (£713)
  • Christchurch (£705)

There is another map on the site showing formula grant funding per head.

If (like Ruth) you wish there was a Plain English guide to all of this stuff on Local Government Finance, there is good news! Click here for details!

What is the Landlord Accreditation scheme?

It’s a voluntary scheme that private residential landlords and letting agents are encouraged to join.

The scheme aims to improve the condition and management of privately rented properties in the city. It also provides tenants with a clear indication of who has the Oxford City Council official stamp of approval.

Accredited landlords or agents have agreed to comply with a code of management and the properties that are rented out must meet specified minimum standards.

More details are available on the council website

Accredited properties are identifiable on the Council’s licensing database, please see our earlier post here

What is “Community right to build?”

The Community Right to Build is a set of proposals that would give local communities the power to decide what is built in their area. The new powers would mean that where developments for new houses, community facilities or shops have the agreement of the local area through a ‘community referendum’, and meet a minimum criterion, communities will not need to go through the normal planning application process.

This will give communities the freedom to decide how to meet the local priorities in their area, and allow new homes, shops, businesses or facilities to be built where they want them. Communities would be able to decide the type of developments and housing they want to see, and the benefits would be retained for the community – managed by a corporate body formed by members of the local community.

Whilst it will be for communities to identify suitable land, sources of finance and secure support for their proposals, there will be help and guidance in available, and advice from people who already have experience of taking forward community-led schemes.

For Frequently Asked Questions on this, please click here.

Pavements are for people (not cars?!)

Apologies everyone, here’s a Dept for Transport announcement from February that we should have blogged earlier. This does not apply to resident parking zones that are half on, half off the pavement as in Gathorne Road and Bickerton Road

The Government is making it easier for councils to tackle pavement parking and stop it causing an obstruction to pedestrians  Regional and Local Transport Minister Norman Baker has announced.

Vehicles parked on pavements can cause particular problems for people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and those with pushchairs. The Minister has  written to councils prompting them to use their powers to prevent parking on the pavement where it is a problem.

Along with the letter, the Department for Transport has given all councils in England permission to use signs to indicate a local pavement parking ban. Until now councils have had to gain special signs authorisation from Government each time they want to put a pavement parking ban in place.

While in some circumstances pavement parking is unavoidable – for example in narrow residential roads with no off-street parking – the Government believes that in many cases it can be avoided. Pavement parking is completely banned in London.

Dai Powell OBE, Chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee said:

“Inconsiderate parking on pavements can stop disabled people from gaining access to services and can also put them at great risk if having to resort to using roads. This practice also damages pavements, causing trip hazards and costing local councils who have to undertake repairs.

“DPTAC welcomes the move by the minister encouraging local councils to use their powers to enforce the law, freeing our pavements to make them accessible to all.”

Fire Risk Checks and Smoke Alarm Fitting

The County’s Fire and Rescue Service is  encouraging all households within the City Area to complete a Home Fire Risk Check, have a working smoke alarm and to have an escape plan that all of the occupants are aware of.

All of the information is available on the 365Alive website. If you are aware of any vulnerable members within your area that have not already been assessed, some home visits are possible to offer advice on how to make them safer.

Boundary changes to constituencies

Several residents have asked us about the major boundary changes to Parliamentary Constituencies which are due in 2013. The process is well underway and the Boundary Commission will be putting out their initial proposals in less than three months. After that, there will be a short period for submissions from parties and the public during October and November this year.

The Boundaries Commission Draft report is expected in the week beginning 12th September.