County press release on Southern Cross

As many of you are aware, the Albany residential care home in London Road was owned by Southern Cross. Here is the latest press release dated 11 July  from the county council

Oxfordshire County Council has called for calm following the announcement by Southern Cross regarding the future of the care home provider.

Trading in the shares of Southern Cross, which operates six homes in Oxfordshire, was suspended today after its landlords said they wanted to leave the group.

However the company said that the continuation of care for all of its residents in its 752 homes nationwide was its top priority, a view echoed by the county council.

Southern Cross has 223 beds in its Oxfordshire homes, 115 of which are currently occupied by clients funded by Oxfordshire County Council.

The company plans to transfer the operation of its care homes to other providers, which could include current landlords taking over the operation of some homes. However it is not fully clear at this early stage when this may happen.

The council therefore expects that Southern Cross will stop running homes in the future – but this would not mean that homes would close. The company is working with other parties to ensure the continued operation of their homes by other providers.

Officers at Oxfordshire County Council have been in close contact with Southern Cross for a number of months and have been developing a contingency plan to identify sufficient capacity in other care homes, should those places be required.

Discussions have been and are being held by the council with a number of other organisations about the situation, including The Care Quality Commission, The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust and Age UK Oxfordshire.

Council officers have been in contact with the management of Southern Cross’ Oxfordshire care homes today about the company’s announcement.

Council staff  are on hand to answer questions about the current situation regarding Southern Cross. They can be reached on 0845 050 7666.

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.

Community action on urban clutter

 Headington SignWatch

Headington SignWatch was set up as a result of a large number of Let and Let and Managed boards cluttering the environment in and around Headington early in 2010. As a result of that campaign, 37 of 52 such boards were removed within two weeks, with the remainder eventually being taken down.

If you spot signs that should no longer be there, either contact the number on the sign and request its removal, or email  headingtonsignwatch@yahoo.com

Want to grow fruit and vegetable but don’t have a garden?

Fruit and vegetables image This could be your chance…

Landshare logo

Landshare brings together people who have a passion for home-grown food.It’s for people who:

·        Want to grow veg but don’t have anywhere to do it

·        Have a spare bit of land they’re prepared to share

·        Can help in some way – from sharing knowledge and lending tools to helping out on the plot itself

·        Support the idea of freeing up more land for growing

·        Are already growing and want to join in the community

Landshare came out of TV’s River Cottage. It began when Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall helped some Bristol families grow veg on derelict council land. The experience was so inspiring that River Cottage decided to see if it would work nationwide. Now Landshare is a national movement of more than 50,000 people, go to their web site by clicking here.

It began with the tiny seed of an idea – and it’s growing and growing

Want to set up a residents’ group?

David and I have had several enquiries about setting up residents’ groups since the last councillor surgery in Windmill Road/Langley Close and the Barton West presentation at the Baptist Church in Old High Street

I have compiled an information sheet on this – please let us know if you would like a copy by hitting the orange comment? button at the top of this post or by emailing either of us at:

ruth.wilkinson@oxfordlibdems.org.uk

david.rundle@oxfordlibdems.org.uk

We are happy to talk to anyone hoping to get more involved in community action and positively encourage it!

Do you have the skills to foster?

Fostering is an experience like no other as it uniquely bridges family and professional life.  As a foster carer you will be working closely with parents, County officers, and other professionals, supporting families and rebuilding relationships. 

Foster carers combine a love and desire to help children with a passion and dedication to providing the best possible care.

Want to find out more? 

Why not come along to meet foster carers at a coffee morning on:  

Wednesday 26 May @ 10 – 1pm

At All Saints’ Church House,

New High St

Police surgery on 10 November

The next Headington North drop-in police surgery will take place on Tuesday 10 November at 4.00 pm in the Baptist Church, Old High Street. Please do come and speak to the team about any issue that is troubling you about quality of life in your area

These surgeries are very popular, and many people have benefited from advice on how to protect their property from burglary, which is one of the priority issues local residents have raised.Do drop in, even if it’s just to say hello!

Your chance to meet your local police team

It’s a bit confusing but there are two different police teams in Headington, and residents either come under the Headington North team or the Wood Farm, Headington South and Quarry neighbourhood team.

If you live North of the London Road, in the Headley Way/Sandfield Road and Old Headington areas, then your local police team is Headington North.  Their drop in surgeries will be held in the Baptist Church in Old High Street at the following times:

  • Wed 1 July 12.00-14.00
  • Wed 29 July 18.00-20.00
  • Wed 26 August 12.00-14.00

If you live South of the London Road in the Brookside/Latimer Road/ Lime Walk/ Windmill Road/ New Headington areas back to Rock Edge and the Churchill Hospital, then your local police team is the Wood Farm, Headington South and Quarry team. Their drop in surgeries are as follows:

  • NOC main reception on 16 June from 11.00-13.00
  • Headington Community Centre drop-in cafe, Gladstone Road, on 17 June 10.00-12.00
  • Co-op, Atkyns Road on 26 June from 16.00-17.00

Do drop in if you have any question for the teams or want to raise any issue of concern, you’ll be made very welcome