Dunsden Way, Binfield Heath will be closed from Dunsden Green to Arch Hill from Monday 24 May to Friday 28 May inclusive so that work can be carried out by Thames Water at its junction with Kings Common Close There will be access for frontages and emergency vehicles. There will obviously be no bus service until the work is completed.
Ttro Plan
May's meeting of the Parish Council Committee via Zoom has been cancelled as there are no urgent issues to discuss. The Committee, convened to operate online during the pandemic, held a meeting in April with only a short agenda. Big projects such as the potential Neighbourhood Plan are on hold until we are able to hold a public meeting to gauge levels of support and involvement across the parish.
The playground cannot yet be re-opened, following government new advice on parks and open spaces.
We would like to ask anyone who sees signs of small groups who may be drug-using (probably smoking) anywhere around the village to report it to the police on 101 and to us. Suspicious nearby vehicle numbers can be noted.
Our local Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group reported volunteering in the community, giving help to isolating neighbours with shopping, collecting subscriptions, phone chats and advice plus collecting and taking donations to NOMAD. Villagers have been baking for the NHS and delivering cakes and chocolate eggs to the RBH. The shop has been working hard to keep its shelves filled and making deliveries. Residents not belonging to any specific group have also been helping their neighbours throughout the crisis – and everyone here has benefited from belonging to a close, supportive community. The Parish Council thanks everyone for standing together and looking out for one another.
Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on the parish website www.binfieldheath.org.uk for further information about the Council and about issues concerning the pandemic or anything else that arises.
We wish all parishioners well.
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Playground closure
The village recreation and playground remain closed for the moment following the latest advice from the government.
Allotments
Allotments can still be visited as they provide food and exercise but social distancing should be observed. Guidance from the National Allotment Society is available at https://www.nsalg.org.uk/news/covid19-information/ Any plot-holder who is self-isolating because a household member is ill with coronavirus should not be visiting the site.
Avoid on-line fraud
Action Fraud has received reports of Covid19-related scams. The majority of reports are related to online shopping scams where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser and other products, which have never arrived. Other frauds being reported include ticket fraud, romance fraud, charity fraud and lender loan fraud Detailed counter fraud advice is available online, including from Scamsmart, ActionFraud, CIFAS, TakeFive, Citizens Advice, Trading Standards and the National Cyber Security Centre. Reporting to Action Fraud can be done online at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. To report offers of financial assistance from HMRC contact phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
Temporary suspension of meetings
No public meetings of Binfield Heath Parish Council will take place during the period of the coronavirus outbreak.
An Extraordinary Meeting of the council, chaired by the clerk on March 18, it was resolved to form a committee delegated to handle day-to-day business, urgent and planning issues. No major decisions can be taken until the full PC is back in action.
The committee consists of Paul Rollason, Lis Ransom, Hugh Lacey and Sue Summerland, who will work mainly by email and phone.
Work towards getting started on a neighbourhood plan for the parish is on hold until we are able to hold a public meeting to discuss it.
No further full parish council meetings are planned at the moment.
All queries continue to be managed by our clerk, Mandy Sermon, on msermon@btinternet.com
We will keep in touch with the parish via the website www.binfieldheath.org.uk and via the village newsletter.
Bhpc Draft Minutes Of Extraordinary Meeting And Reports March 2020
Oxfordshire County Council will be using local community support groups such as the Binfield Heath Covid-19 Mutual Aid to provide support and aid for the most vulnerable across parishes. This will include distribution of food care packages to those in urgent need. They are in the process of arranging an Oxfordshire food delivery network, and will need help from local groups to carry this out.
Please keep an eye on the Facebook page which will share resources they have sent, advice and safety precautions and support line numbers to call for those most at risk, such as the extremely vulnerable without family support networks.
The covering letter states:
'Important note: If you are aware of anybody that needs help and you can help them - please do so. Do not wait for us to pass a request on."
Binfield Heath Covid-19 Mutual Aid has been set up for Binfield Heath and the surrounding areas, to provide volunteer help for those who are self-isolating or quarantined, or in a vulnerable category, due to Cover-19. Villagers will contact people who might need help and offer to collect shopping, prescriptions or just to be a voice on the end of a phone during the period of enforced isolation. The group currently operates via a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/binfieldheath/
Please visit the page and sign up for information or to offer help or ask for support. Lots of brilliant individuals are doing their bit to help local people, including Binfield Heath Stores.
There are also support groups in Dunsden, Shiplake and Henley. To see the full list of available help click below.
Binfield Heath Mutual Aid Round Up May 2020
Spring!
The chestnut tree in the centre of the village is enjoying its reprieve! In full flower and with plenty of fresh green leaves it is clearly in good health, at least for the moment.
SODC RESTARTS BULKY WASTE COLLECTIONS
South Oxfordshire District Council has restarted the paid-for bulky waste collection service for large household items. At the same time it has issued a warning about fly-tipping while other outlets for domestic waste remain closed.
The bulky waste collection service was temporarily stopped to allow waste contractor, Biffa, to prioritise the important kerbside household collections
With household waste recycling centres still closed, along with charity shops and their donation banks, there are fewer places to dispose of unwanted items that do not fit into kerbside collections. The council has issued a warning to anybody tempted to fly-tip - this includes leaving rubbish next to litter bins – that it will investigate and prosecute anyone found to be responsible.
The bulky waste collection is a paid-for service costing £40 for up to three items - and £8 per additional item, up to a maximum of six. As the council offices are currently closed to the public, at this time orders can only be taken online using credit or debit cards for payment. Examples of items collected:
The council cannot collect any type of commercial or DIY waste.
People are asked to store other waste items where possible until they can be safely disposed of when the household waste recycling centres and donation banks reopen.
Residents who decide to pay people to dispose of their waste should check they are registered waste carriers and ask for a waste transfer note to state where the rubbish is being taken from and to. More info on waste removal, see SODC website pages (Vale and South).
SODC reminds residents that up to 80 per cent of normal household waste can be recycled using the green bin. They are also encouraged to use composters where possible for garden material.
Extra recycling waste that can’t fit in the green bin may be left in a cardboard box or a clear bag next to it. Extra food waste can be put in a bag on top of the food waste bin.
PARISH COUNCIL INFORMATION
The Scout Hut
The scout hut, damaged in an arson fire, is now being repaired. For more info or if you would like to make a donation, contact erniepovey@yahoo.co.uk.
Drug-driving in Binfield Heath
Youngsters smoking pot have been spotted round the village, often in the recreation ground at night, or in cars nearby clearly smoking weed. The police are aware but if you see anything, do report it.
Parish Council meetings
These have been suspended temporarily owing to corona virus. If you have any issues to report or need any information please contact the clerk Mandy Sermon at msermon@btinternet.com. Parish council responsibilities will be handled by a delegated committee of councillors consisting of Paul Rollason (chair), Elisabeth Ransom (vice chair), Hugh Lacey and Susan Summerland.
Village newsletter
Marina Hart would like to hear from anyone with news or information of interest to local residents, on marina.hart@virgin.net. Most of the newsletters are emailed to save printing and delivery, so do let her have your contact details if you would like to receive one. Privacy information is available from her and on this website. Newsletters are uploaded to this site. We hope you enjoy reading them and find them useful - and please do contact her with contributions for the next one if you have any news to share.
Reporting issues round the parish
Fly-tipped rubbish continues to be a problem locally and has to be collected by District Council contractors at considerable extra cost to the taxpayer. If you see fly-tipping - or the results of it - please report it online to admin.southoxford@biffa.co.uk Similarly, potholes have been a big problem this year. If you are aware of one locally please contact fixmystreet.com and tell them the area, address if possible and postcode. It's the fastest way to get results.
Security
Do make sure your home and outbuildings are securely locked and tell your neighbours if you are going away. Report anything suspicious to Thames Valley Police on 101 or in an emergency call 999.
Keep up to date
From this page you can see diary events in the village at a glance, with a link to more information if you need it. Check which bin is going out this week and look up the bus timetable or report potholes in our roads. You can comment on planning applications direct with SODC at the click of a button, without knowing the application number. Receiving occasional news mail-outs from the Parish Council on matters that affect you is the fastest and most efficient way to find out what's going on in your parish. If you change your email address just sign up again with the new one - you don't have to delete the old one. If you no longer wish to hear news from us in this form please let us know and we will delete your email details. Visit the village Facebook page to connect with friends and neighbours and join in the chat. If you would like to contact the Parish Council direct send a mail to info@binfieldheath.org.uk or write to the parish clerk, Mandy Sermon at msermon@btinternet.com
Data protection
Regulations concerning data protection have changed. The Parish Council has prepared documents which reflect and clarify these alterations and how they affect you. Please look at the information, on the Parish Council page, which explains how the council uses and stores any information concerning you. (See also Parish Council minutes May, June and July 2018.)