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.

Missing? £20K for local projects

Those of you who attended the last Area Committee meeting will know that there was a £20K carry-forward sum left over from the last council year from the committee’s funding allocation for community projects in the North East area of the City, comprising Headington, Barton, Marston, Wood Farm, Northway and Quarry. At that time it was unclear how youth services and library services would continue next year. It was agreed that an application for the £20K to be carried forward for projects in this ring-fenced North-East area up until Christmas 2011 would be submitted.

The Corporate Management Team at the City Council (officers) has discussed carry-forward items and a  “Provisional outturn report for the year ended 31st March 2011” has made recommendations to the City Executive Board (councillors) to approve a list  of approved carry forward requests. Click here for details

We can’t find any mention of the £20K carry-forward for projects in our area in this report so we assume the council officers don’t think this is a priority.

Ruth will ask CEB to reconsider this officer-led decision at next week’s meeting.  Councillors Coulter, McManners and Lygo are members of CEB and are also members representing wards in the NE Area

Public meeting about Headington Library

An informal public meeting will be held by the Save Headington Library Group next Wednesday 22 June from 19.30-21.00 at St Andrew’s School to discuss the latest county proposals for libraries.

If you would like to pick up a  copy of the feedback form to send back your comments to County, please drop in and collect one with no obligation to stay

It is likely that the County will gauge the amount of potential volunteer support (as distinct from county paid staff) available in each library’s locality from the responses givento one of the questions in the questionnaires. Currently it is proposed that Headington Library will remain staffed and will continue with its present opening hours but comments and feedback are invited till 30 September.

If you would prefer to fill in an online comments form, please click here

Raising educational attainment

Ruth attended an interesting workshop at the Town Hall yesterday on raising educational attainment in primary schools within the City. Here are some notes she took:

There are 28 primary schools in the city
Latest Ofsted:

  • none outstanding
  • 14 good
  • 11 satisfactory
  • 3 inadequate

Trends from last inspection

  • 22 inspected
  • 6 up a grade
  • 12 the same
  • 4 dropped a grade
  • 5 have received an interim assessment
  • 1 not inspected since 2008

Early years foundation stage profile  – percentage achieving target points score is improving

  • 36.7% 2008
  • 39% 2009
  • 50.4% 2010 ( national average is 52%)

This is encouraging! It means more children will start Key Stage 1 with good basic skills

KS2 is Ofsted’s main indicator
KS2 improving

but KS1 still a concern

Interventions happening (County led)
Extra Mile project has had especially good results

Factors slowing down the improvement

  • Oversubscription – extra classes in Foundation and KS1 (and overcrowding?)
  • High pupil turnover – parents swapping schools if there are spare places locally
  • Higher percentage of children in the City with English as an additional language

Heads, governors, city and county officers and councillors got together to suggest ideas for improvement and a report will be written up of the results. Please contact us if you would like to be sent a copy