For immediate releasenews release  

Date:   28 September 2018

 Warning issued over council tax scam calls

 Residents in West Oxfordshire are being warned to beware of bogus callers offering a council tax refund.

 The Council has received several reports of people receiving calls from individuals claiming to be from the Valuation Office Agency or ‘Tax Recovery Bureau.’

The caller claims the resident is owed a council tax refund as their council tax banding has been too high in the past and can arrange a refund in exchange for a fee. The telephone number of the bogus company is 0203 4767710. Residents are being urged not to enter into any discussions with the caller and not to disclose any personal information such as bank details. Trading Standards have been made aware.

 Cllr Toby Morris, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “This is a scam. Appealing against a council tax band does not require a third party and is free.

 “Anyone receiving one of these calls should end the conversation as quickly as possible.”

Residents wishing to appeal against their council tax banding can do so by contacting the Valuation Office Agency on 03000 501 501.

 ENDS

For immediate releasenews release 
Date:  27 September 2018

 Local Plan given the final seal of approval

 Councillors have voted in favour of formally adopting the Local Plan for West Oxfordshire.

 At an extraordinary meeting of the full council, the document which establishes a blueprint for the development of the District until 2031, was given the final seal of approval, ending a process which stretches back nine years.

 The Local Plan sets out how the District can achieve economic growth and a housing target of 15,950 new homes, although some have already been built as the Plan covers the period from 2011 to 2031.

 It identifies the most suitable sites for new housing and what accompanying infrastructure, such as road improvements, new schools and play facilities, is needed to achieve the greatest benefits for the new development and, wherever possible, a wider area.

 Cllr James Mills, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “There are many competing demands in West Oxfordshire and we have had to strike a balance that secures the greatest number of benefits for the largest number of people. 

“I believe this Plan will deliver those benefits and ensure the future prosperity of the residents of West Oxfordshire.”
 Cllr Jeff Haine, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing, added: “Over the last few years we have had a number of planning decisions overturned because we did not have a Local Plan in place.

 “But the adoption of this Plan means speculative developers will no longer have their way and ensures housing meets local need and employment requirements while also improving local infrastructure.”

The draft Local Plan was first submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in July 2015 but the Examination was suspended due to the Inspector’s concerns around housing targets and he requested that more work be undertaken.
 It was re-submitted in March 2017 with 15,950 new homes proposed compared to 10,500 previously including a contribution of 2,750 homes towards Oxford’s ‘unmet’ housing need.

 The Local Plan report has been accepted by the Inspectorate subject to the modifications set out in the Inspector’s report on www.westoxon.gov.uk/localplan2031.

 ENDS

 

For immediate releasenews release    

For immediate release                                                                                       Date:   24 September 2018
 Poorest residents could be exempt from council tax payments

 West Oxfordshire District Council is consulting with residents about amendments to its Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which if agreed, would completely exempt their poorest residents from council tax payments.

 The changes proposed include:

·         Introducing a banded scheme which would see a simple flat rate percentage discount awarded, depending on a person’s total weekly ‘net’ income
·         Ignoring all child maintenance payments when calculating weekly income.
 Cllr Toby Morris, Cabinet Member for Resources said: “We are keen to simplify the existing scheme. By introducing income bands we can help applicants budget over longer periods whilst ensuring those on lowest income receive the maximum amount of council tax support available.”

 Residents identified as vulnerable or in receipt of a state pension will not be impacted by any of the changes.

 The consultation is open to everyone and details can be found at www.westoxon.gov.uk/CTRS

 Paper copies of the survey are available for those without internet access. These can be picked up from the Council reception points in Witney and Chipping Norton.

 The consultation deadline is 9 November 2018. A report will then be considered by councillors before any changes to the current scheme are decided. These would come into effect from April 2019.

 ENDS

 

For immediate releasenews release 
Date:  21 September 2018

Know your plastics …..

Residents in West Oxfordshire are being urged swot up on their plastics in a bid to boost recycling rates in the District.

Plastics that can be recycled include pots, food trays and bottles, most of which are in everyday use in the kitchen and bathroom.
But about 18 per cent of what is collected in the Council’s blue-lidded recycling bins is non-recyclable with one of the most common incorrect items being flimsy plastics such as carrier bags and cling-film. 

Cllr Steve Good, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Knowing which plastics can be recycled is confusing, but it is important that we get it right. As well as wanting to recycle as much as possible, there is a cost of placing items in the wrong bin as they have to be removed at the processing plant and this often done manually.
 “We are keen to build on the momentum created by powerful TV programmes such as Blue Planet II which have shown how damaging plastic pollution can be. They have motivated many more people to care about the environment in a way they never have before.”

 To access the guide see www.westoxon.gov.uk/plastics 

 A team of recycling advisors have also been visiting hundreds of households offering advice and answering queries.

 West Oxfordshire’s plastics awareness campaign runs alongside national Recycle Week 2018 which is focusing on helping people to get their recycling right and the impact waste plastic has on the environment.

 National Recycle Week runs from 24 to 28 September.

 ENDS

Further information:
Communications: t: 01993 861615 / 861616 or e: communications@westoxon.gov.uk
Andrew Smith

Communications Officer (Working days Wed, Thurs, Fri)
West Oxfordshire District Council, Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney OX28 1NB
t: 01993 861616 / 01993 861000
Visit our news centre at www.westoxon.gov.uk/news

West Oxfordshire’s new waste and recycling collection dates are now published for the next 12 months and can be viewed and downloaded online at www.westoxon.gov.uk
As well as accessing online bin collection calendars, residents can register for handy weekly email alerts about waste collection dates, including a reminder the day before about which bins to put out and helpful information about changes to collection days over the Christmas period and bank holidays.
Over 10,000 householders are registered for email alerts and receive weekly email reminders of their next collection.
 
Paper copies of the waste calendars are available for those that do not have web access. These can be picked up from:
·         The District Council’s Town Centre Shop and Elmfield offices in Witney
·         The Guildhall, Chipping Norton
·         Burford Visitor Information Centre
·         Carterton Town Council
·         Woodstock Town Council


As well as bin collection information, residents can use the alerts service to receive information about planning applications registered near to their homes.
ENDS
 
Further information:
Communications: t: 01993 861615 / 861616 or e: communications@westoxon.gov.uk