Your Summer 2016 OxfordBuilding a world-class city for everyone Circulation 61,000 ‘INSPIRATIONAL’ ...and inside Rose Hill residents give their new

community centre a big thumbs-up P2/3: Power to the people Oxford City Council’s new the centre. community centre in Rose Hill has David Hunt, centre manager, been described as “inspirational” said: “We are seeing more and by local residents and is a more people through the door great example of the Council’s every week and people are telling investment in parts of the city us what a great place it is to come that can benefit from projects the and use. most. “My team and I would love to The centre was opened in show you around the new building, P4: Our community centres January to provide the community so you can see how we can cater with all the facilities they need under for your activity or event.” one roof. Fran Gardner, Rose Hill The building includes a state-of- Community Worker, said: “The Young people put the new the-art gym, meeting rooms, social centre is making a real difference centre’s gym equipment club, advice centre, youth suite, to the community in Rose Hill – it through its paces health hub, changing facilities, café, is really inspirational and we can community library and police office. see that in the increase in numbers P6: In the driving seat The centre is now being used by of children accessing our youth a wide range of groups that serve clubs and their joy in being in this young and old. In the first three wonderful building.” months of opening, n For more information about Rose more than 11,000 Hill Community Centre, please visit people have www.oxford.gov.uk/rosehill, email used [email protected] or call 01865 749597. P10/11: Low carbon city Plus P13: ‘Pedal & park’ P19: Your Councillors Recycle it... Your Oxford is printed on environmentally friendly paper. Please recycle Your Oxford in your blue wheelie bin when you have finished reading it. Call the press office on 01865 252096 or email [email protected] if you would like to make any comments or to advertise in Your Oxford.

Hinksey Heated Outdoor Pool Giant heated pool, beach area, lap area, sunbathing, cafe, events & more Now HinkseyOutdoorPool @HinkseyPools open! hinksey_outdoor_pool Click here www.oxford.gov.uk/leisurefor more 01865 467079 details Fusion Lifestyle is a registered charity working in partnership with Oxford City Council to manage your local leisure facilities. Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 2 Summer 2016

WELCOME Oxford City Council Devolution: More power to the people of Oxford Leader Oxfordshire councils are developing plans for devolution of powers and funding which would Bob Price reshape local government. It is important that you know about Dear Friends and Residents, these plans because they will affect you, your community and the services England has one of the most that you value. centralised systems of government Oxfordshire’s five district councils, in the developed world, and at the including Oxford City Council, are 2015 General Election, all the main working together on plans that that political parties agreed that more would unlock £6bn investment in decision-making powers should be transport links, housing and jobs in devolved to local government. Oxfordshire, and make a big difference But none of them had very clear to the health and wellbeing of residents. plans for devolution. The proposals would simplify local Since the election, the new government, replacing the county government’s policies have been and district councils with new District gradually taking shape in a series of Unitary councils geared to the particular negotiated agreements with groups of needs and requirements of different councils across the country. areas. But the devolution agenda has now Our plan would mean that residents become closely linked to a policy elect a single council for Oxford, which, of re-structuring local government for the first time since 1974, would crisis, dealing with congestion and We are very excited about this at the same time. So devolution be responsible for the full range of meeting the needs of an increasingly opportunity to bring more power to you! agreements up and down the country services that affect the city, including older population. We have commissioned an independent have included important changes to education, highways and social Where decisions that require study into the options for unitary the way in which local government services – all areas that are not being coordination across Oxfordshire government in Oxfordshire, and later powers are managed. The message adequately tackled. are needed – such as key transport this summer we will be seeking your to councils has been: If you want The new Oxford council would be planning, economic development and views. devolved powers, you have to change better able to focus on the needs of our social care – the elected leaders of the n If you would like more information the way in which you work. residents and tackle the big challenges new District Unitaries will work together about our plans, please visit Working with all the other we face, including tackling our housing to agree solutions. www.oxfordshire.vision Oxfordshire councils and the Local Enterprise Partnership, we put forward proposals last year for a massive 10-year investment proposal Local councils work better for devolved funding to radically Oxfordshire is a large county that return Conservative-led authorities. improve our transport infrastructure covers 1,000 sq miles and has nearly An Oxfordshire-wide unitary would and to increase the number of homes 700,000 residents. That covers a widely be the third largest in the country, after in the county. diverse population, from Chipping Birmingham and Leeds. In this case, Government’s response to these Norton and Henley in rural Oxfordshire bigger is not better. District unitary proposals was that we needed to to Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill in urban councils would offer a better solution for develop proposals for stronger Oxford. the people of Oxford and Oxfordshire governance, so we are now working These very different communities face because they would allow decision- with Oxfordshire’s other district very different challenges – from isolation making and service delivery to better councils to create a group of unitary in rural parts of the county to Oxford’s reflect the different challenges and authorities, linked together through a urban challenges of the severe housing priorities of our communities. combined authority for some strategic crisis and pockets of deprivation. Oxfordshire’s five District Councils are functions. These differences were expressed in working together on proposals for unitary We are being encouraged by the local elections in May, which saw councils that will reflect this diversity, be the government to develop these Oxford return a Labour-led council and better able to meet these challenges – proposals as a potential devolution residents everywhere else in Oxfordshire and bring power to the people! model that could be used in many other parts of the country. The debate in Oxfordshire, and all over the country, is to shape the new single tier councils in a way that best meets How devolution will help us tackle Oxford’s challenges local community priorities and delivers Alongside the great opportunities in England (for gross weekly pay of in England and Wales good local services. that Oxford faces in the coming years, fulltime workers) n Rough sleeping: Last year 39 people Please get involved in this crucial the city also faces serious and unique n Infrastructure: The roads into Oxford were found to be sleeping rough in debate over the next few months. I challenges. are notoriously congested and we need Oxford city centre – a 50 per cent hope that this edition of Your Oxford Only an Oxford council will have the investment in public transport, roads, increase on the previous year will give you a good idea of the issues focus and ability necessary to tackle cycling and walking infrastructure to n Air quality: Air quality in the city that will shape our decision. those challenges and make the most of help people get to work centre is amongst the worst in England. the city’s potential. n Poor educational attainment: Just Oxford is a globally-renowned city With good wishes, The challenges include: 31.9 per cent of children in Barton with some of the best universities Cllr Bob Price n Oxford’s housing crisis: The city has received five or more A*-C GCSEs anywhere in the world, but all this been named the least affordable in the including English and Maths – the is threatened if we cannot fix these Like us at... UK for two years running lowest in Oxfordshire and significantly issues, particularly around housing and www.facebook.com/OxfordCityCouncil n Government figures show parts lower than the county average of 59 transport infrastructure. of Rose Hill and Blackbird Leys are per cent Oxford City Council is focused on Follow us at... amongst the 10 per cent most deprived n A mobile and young population: 24 tackling these challenges – building twitter.com/OxfordCity in England, whilst Oxfordshire as per cent of Oxford’s population are full- 885 homes in Barton Park, opening a whole is the sixth richest county time students – the highest proportion Rose Hill Community Centre, launching Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 3 Summer 2016 More power to the people of Oxford A better deal for Oxford

While other councils across the country n The Northern Gateway, which will keep are cutting back on vital services that the universities’ minds in the city people rely on, Oxford City Council has n 885 homes at Barton Park. continued to invest tens of millions of And on top of this, the City Council has pounds. gone beyond its remit and responsibilities In the last couple of years, our to bid for and win millions of pounds of investment has included: government funding to invest in projects n £20m to repair Oxford’s five tower that we know are important, including: blocks n The Northway and Marston Flood n £9m to build the Leys Pools and Leisure Alleviation Scheme Centre n The Low Emission Zone, requiring city n £4m to build the Rose Hill Community centre buses to be low emission Centre n Money to install electric vehicle n £4.5m to refurbish sports pavilions charging points in residential areas across Oxford All this investment has only been n £4.7m to revamp the centre of Barton possible because of sound financial n £1.5m of grants to local community planning. groups every year. Other councils across the country have The City Council has also worked with failed to balance their books year-on-year businesses and University of Oxford and been forced to make damaging cuts, colleges to bring hundreds of millions but Oxford City Council has a five-year of pounds of investment to the city, plan that will see even more invested. including: You can trust an Oxford Unitary to n Redeveloping the Westgate Shopping continue the investment in your city. Hagan Lewisman, Active Centre And more will be possible with the £1bn Communities Manager, n The historic Oxpens redevelopment, for Oxfordshire that our devolution plan helps Yograj Limbu get fit on bringing new jobs and houses will bring. the Rose Hill fitness trail Our timeline for change

n Last year the government invited councils across the country to come up with plans for devolution in their areas n In Autumn 2015 we worked with Oxfordshire County Council, the Oxfordshire District Councils, the Local Enterprise Partnership and the Clinical Commissioning Street cleaning in Group to develop our ambitious Oxford city centre devolution plan. Feedback from government was that we needed to be more radical about reforming governance How devolution will help us tackle Oxford’s challenges n In early 2016 we started working with the other district councils the Low Emission Zone in the city in Oxfordshire to put together a centre, giving £1.5m in grants to proposal for unitary district councils community groups every year, giving The Blue Bin Recycling League is your a further £1.4m ever year to the city’s n In April 2016 we appointed chance to win money for you and your homelessness charities and much, independent advisers

much more. Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) to community by recycling more. But with the new powers – particularly investigate our proposals We’ve split Oxford City into eight areas. If your area improves its in relation to highways and public n During the summer, PwC recycling rate the most it will top the league and win! transport – and the £1bn investment will speak to key stakeholders You and your neighbours will then be invited to vote (via email) for into Oxford that our devolution deal will (business, community and charity your favourite local charity or community group to receive £400. bring, we will be able to do more. leaders across the county) to get Our proposals for devolution for their views And if you’ve pledged to take part and your area wins you will Oxfordshire will keep the focus up; automatically be entered into a draw to win a prize worth £30 or more! n a one-size-fits-all Oxfordshire-wide Later this summer Oxfordshire’s council will not be able to focus on district councils will also consult Pledge now to take part by visiting Oxford – a focus we believe the city with residents – giving you a needs. chance to have your say on the oxford.gov.uk/recyclingleague plans.

a5 press ad landscape blue bin v3.indd 1 10/05/2016 07:40 Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 4 Summer 2016 More people are taking the plunge! More people in Blackbird Leys are than 575,000 visitors. During the same swimming thanks to the Leys Pools period in 2013/14, the old Blackbird Leys and Leisure Centre as a result of the Leisure Centre, Blackbird Leys Pool free activities and classes that have and Temple Cowley Pools attracted a encouraged even more people to give combined 339,500 visitors. the centre a try. The centre now has more than 1,000 The £9m complex, which features a members, with the numbers growing each 25m competition pool with movable month, and more than 1,200 children are floor, teaching pool and a fun pool for having swimming lessons once a week. children, opened in January 2015. The centre is owned by Oxford Between January 2015 and March City Council and managed by Fusion 2016 the new centre attracted more Lifestyle. Investing in our community

The City Council manages a network The City Council is currently working of 19 community centres across on a programme of investment Oxford, from Blackbird Leys and Rose and improvement to help make our Hill to North Oxford and Jericho. community spaces even better. We know that these centres sit at Watch this space for news on the heart of communities, bring people our exciting plans for East Oxford together, improve skills, help people Community Centre and Barton keep healthy and help reduce poverty. Neighbourhood Centre. These hubs are also where crucially We are also working on a community important community groups and centre strategy, which is an important charities form, are based and work document that aims to provide the every day to help improve all our lives. groups that run some of our centres In Rose Hill’s new £4.7m community with more security. centre, for example, there are youth n For more information about all our clubs, fitness sessions, jobs clubs, older community centres, please visit our people’s groups and much, much more. website: www.oxford.gov.uk East Oxford Community Centre Get in shape this summer at newly-opened Cowley gym Cowley residents are able to take aerobics to zumba; and activities, GARDENING, LANDSCAPING advantage of 35 fitness stations and such as badminton, basketball and classes at a newly opened gym. football. & TREE SERVICES Oxford Spires Sport & Fitness, which The £700,000 centre is a joint is located in the grounds of The Oxford development between Oxford Spires Spires Academy just off Cowley Road, Academy, Oxford City Council and Do you have big problems opened in January. Fusion Lifestyle. with your garden? The new centre features treadmills, n For more information about the new crossfit stations and rowing machines; centre, please visit: With decades of practical knowledge and a wide range of fitness classes, from www.spiressportandfitness.com experience, our team can help you with: • GARDEN CLEARANCE • PRUNING Museum set • LAWN MAINTENANCE • WEEDING • LEAF CLEARING • FENCING for £2.2m • HEDGE TRIMMING • TREE SERVICES • HARD LANDSCAPING makeover Plus much more… The Museum of Oxford could be in line CONTACT US for a £2.2m revamp that would treble the For a FREE quotation or more information: exhibition space. The T: 01865 335400 refurbished space will tell the history of the E: [email protected] city and its residents. Oxford City Council, www.oxforddirectservices.co.uk which runs the museum, has secured £140,000 to progress Commercial Services Team the Heritage Lottery Oxford Direct Services, Marsh Road, Oxford OX4 2HH Fund bid. Working out at Oxford Spires Sport & Fitness gym

Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 5 Summer 2016 Investing in leisure Oxford has been named the across the city. Last year new sports healthiest city in the UK and a report pavilions were built in Blackbird Leys shows that our residents do more and Grandpont and the Sandy Lane exercise than those who live in any pavilion was refurbished. other city. The City Council is currently working It is brilliant that more and more on a project to refurbish Cutteslowe people are regularly exercising which is Lower Pavilion, which will see a great for our physical and mental well- much improved building with a new being. Investing in affordable sports is community space, kitchen and a an important priority and is providing revamp to the changing rooms and new exercise opportunities for communities flooring, windows, heating and electrics installed. Sport England provided £300,000 and the Football Federation just under £350,000 towards the project. As part of the city-wide pavilion modernisation project a new pavilion will be built at Quarry Recreation Ground later this year following the refurbishment of Horspath Athletics and Sports Ground A proud day for D-Day heroes and the installation of outdoor fitness equipment across the D-Day veterans from Oxfordshire hosted a tea party for the veterans, Refurbished Cutteslowe Upper Pavilion city’s parks in December. were presented with the “Chevalier their families and guests. Légion d’Honneur Medal”, one The French government has been of the highest awards that awarding the Légion d’Honneur to Tackling a can be awarded by the French D-Day veterans from many different government, at a ceremony in countries for several years, as a March at the Town Hall. way of honouring and thanking foul practice After the medal ceremony the those who fought and risked their Ward members, parish former Lord Mayor of Oxford, lives to secure France’s liberation councillors and council Councillor Rae Humberstone, during the Second World War. officers have been pairing up to speak to dog owners in Blackbird Leys and hand out free dog foul bags. For two days a week during an awareness fortnight scores of dog walkers have been spoken to. It has been positively received by residents and hopefully each dog walker we spoke to will have spoken to three or What do i need in four more and mentioned Farmers reap benefits that we have been out and someone looking about. of two-day conference Snap-shot monitoring af ter me? Oxford Town Hall was filled with delegates undertaken before the from across the food and farming communities awareness fortnight and Someone with guts. who came together to listen to speakers giving again after, showed a practical on-farm know-how and talks from the significant reduction in dog A slight amount of madness UK’s leading sustainable food experts. fouling by around 50 per and a big heart. There was a chance to talk about common cent. farming challenges, bees, grain and bread, the This was followed by benefits of putting trees on farms and how to an increased presence Foster today and be the develop better jobs in farming. The evening meal of enforcement by the provided an opportunity to enjoy a local food feast Community Response constant in Jake’s life. using local, organic and seasonal ingredients Team and increased cooked by “The Late Chef” Paul Bellchambers. signage to reinforce the message. Local Plan consultations under way The Local Plan sets out the big enjoy living in, working in and visiting. decisions on planning for the future. The first part of a series of consultations The vision of the plan is to find out runs from 27 June to 5 August 2016. Or call NOW on 0800 783 5724 what the city will look like in the future, This is your opportunity to help shape and how we plan development in the Local Plan before we begin to Oxford to 2036 and beyond in a way develop the detailed plan. oxfordshire.gov.uk/fostering that keeps the city’s special qualities. n To find out how you can get involved, We want to make sure that Oxford please visit our website www.oxford. continues to be a successful and gov.uk/localplan, call 01865 249811 or attractive city, the kind of place people email [email protected] 160 x 129 Your Oxford Love me pink.indd 1 5/3/2016 2:33:46 PM Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 6 Summer 2016 on the home front: projects under way to meet oxford’s housing needs Council invests millions in Barton regeneration Over the next four years, we will invest in regenerating the existing Barton estate, despite significant cuts to the funding that we receive from the government. Under the scheme – titled ‘Investing in Barton’ – we will improve the outside of the blocks of flats, the Community Centre, enhance the street environment, improve security, and redevelop Underhill Circus. The improvements will go a long way in helping to blend the existing estate with the new Barton development, where 875 homes are planned to be built and the first residents are expected to move in by 2017. Consultations with Barton residents are already underway, so please look out for your opportunity to share your views on the scheme of works which will include: n Improvements to all blocks of flats, starting with Stowford Road and Bayswater Road n Transformation of the entrance foyer in the Barton Neighbourhood Centre including reception, lighting and signage to help Attendees hailed second annual tenants’ conference a success people find their way around the centre more easily n Extension of the Health Centre in the Community Centre, enabling better health services for the area ‘A stimulating and rewarding day’ n New and updated street signage including ‘Welcome to Barton’ signs IN April, the Tenant Involvement Conference and thought it was n Uncluttering the street setting by putting team ran the second Annual Tenant fabulous, really interesting and fun! in screened bin storage areas and Leaseholder Conference in the “I enjoyed it so much that I am n Major redevelopment of Underhill Circus, Town Hall. going to volunteer with the Tenant detailed proposals of which are currently It was a complete success with Involvement team in delivering the being worked on. both the Assembly Room and Old 20 information stalls run by staff course out in the community. I learnt Library full of enthusiastic customers. from across the council and six some really useful tips. The conference was a perfect workshops, one run jointly by our “You don’t need a garden or lots of Healthier by design opportunity for our tenants and tenants and those from Reading money to do this course. We learnt leaseholders to find out information Borough Council. to use everyday household junk to on our services and leaders, Chief One of Oxford City Council’s create some beautiful things. Executive Peter Sloman and Council tenants who attended, June Bear, “I would highly recommend this Leader, Councillor Bob Price were said: ‘I attended the Urban Gardener course.” guest speakers. There were over session at the Annual Tenant Another tenant, Geno Humphrey, said: “It was such a stimulating and rewarding day in many aspects for me, being part of the wider community of tenants and leaseholders and actually seeing how passionate people were about their communities Barton Park has been selected as one of and the pride in their local 10 NHS Healthy New Towns that prioritise authority was a very humbling the long-term health and well-being of its experience.” residents in design and development. Tenants were able to test their The NHS scheme will investigate and then knowledge in a housing quiz lead the way in improving the links between and bingo session. good housing, healthy living and how local Later in the day there was a services can be designed to put health special session run on building improvement at the heart of the community. housing for the future and Barton Park is a development by Barton finally there was a Tenants Oxford LLP, a partnership between the and Leaseholders Award City Council and property investment Tower block representatives receiving their ‘Involvement Award’ from Willmot Dixon Ceremony. and development company Grosvenor Developments Limited. Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 7 Summer 2016 on the home front: projects under way to meet oxford’s housing needs Review into housing for the elderly Our provision of housing for older people hospital to care home placements due to in Oxford is set to improve after we – in their continuing care needs, we aim to work consultation with residents – carried out a full more closely with health care providers and review of the service. the OCCG to improve hospital discharge Suggestions from the review outline how arrangements. we can make changes that could deliver Given rising life expectancy and quality of an improved housing offer for future older health in older age, we will be prioritising some generations in the city. accommodation provision for people aged 75 To do this we will work in partnership with the years and older, or those who are younger but County Council and the Oxfordshire Clinical with significant health needs. Commissioning Group (OCCG) to identify the This year we opened the Bradlands sheltered needs for extra care and specialist housing in flats for older people in Marston, which have the city. been re-developed to the highest quality As more people are being discharged from standards. Bid to boost affordable homes delivery GREENER TOWER BLOCKS We ARE setting up a housing company to deliver rented homes quota at Barton Park, where up to Repair works are starting at Evenlode and Windrush new affordable homes with a range of tenures to 885 homes will be built. It will develop new build Towers in Blackbird Leys as part of our £20m help address Oxford’s acute housing need. housing on council land, buy affordable housing investment to improve the energy efficiency of all five of Our decision follows the government’s proposed from developers on private land, and also undertake our tower blocks. changes to national housing and planning policies estate regeneration schemes. Over the summer structural work will take place to the that will make it more difficult for us to continue to In addition to its main objectives, the housing outside of the buildings and new roof coverings installed. build new homes. company could raise revenue for the council by These works will be noisy and will be carried out at These changes include forcing us to sell our high offering its services – such as property management considerate times with a flat available in each of the five value properties when they become void in order and repairs - to the private sector. tower blocks where residents can go to get some quiet. to fund the extension of the right-to-buy scheme to Through the housing company, we can influence In addition to letters and posters within the blocks, housing association tenants. the pace and type of house building in Oxford and the on-site officers from our contractors Willmott Dixon Wholly owned by the Council, the housing play a direct role in providing homes for the city’s Energy Services will keep residents regularly updated. company will purchase and manage the affordable key workers. Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 8 Summer 2016

Students get Ambitious activities for with the plot

The Youth Ambition Programme has built a Oxford’s young people partnership with Oxford Academy School, which YOUTH Ambition aims to develop serves the Blackbird Leys, skills and provide opportunities for Littlemore and Rose Hill sport and community activities for communities. young people who live in Oxford’s One of the projects is regeneration areas. an allotment project with Working with other local voluntary students who were at risk of and community groups we engage with being excluded from school. young people through youth clubs, All the students chose to work sports activities and providing advice towards a qualification as part and support, and we deliver projects of the project. that address young people’s needs. Our staff worked with year The Youth Ambition programme is very nine students to plan the popular and in 2015/16 worked with allotment and decide what 6,600 young people. fruit and vegetables to grow. The activities include eight youth clubs A mix of fruit and vegetables per week; 12 multi-sport sessions, three was chosen, including a herb youth forums and during school holidays garden, salad patch, and fun activities across the city. vegetable patch. Our youth ambition officers work with They also ran a pumpkin young people to develop new ideas for competition. community projects. The allotment thrived and All of our projects aim to provide a decision as to what to do young people with a voice and to with the produce resulted in build their confidence and knowledge, Youth Ambition funding cooking a huge roast dinner develop their personal skills and abilities Youth Ambition includes a £130,000 Cutteslowe and Wood Farm. for the group. and help them try out new things and grant fund which is used to fund The holiday activities provided are Members of the group discover new talents. community groups and voluntary agencies for children and young people aged benefited greatly with one n If you want to get more information to deliver school holiday activities. between 8-19 and this year we have student Owen, saying: “I find on the Youth Ambition Programme, Funding is available to deliver funded a very wide range of activities. school really difficult, so I activities and support available, visit activities in the Council’s regeneration These include sports, adventure mess around a lot, but doing our website www.oxford.gov.uk/ areas: Blackbird Leys, Barton, Rose playgrounds, arts, open access youth the allotment has shown me. youthambition Hill, Littlemore, East Oxford, Northway, clubs and science courses. “I’ve got loads of practical skills. I want to be a gardener Organisations funded are... when I’m older now! Drumming up “I go to the Youth Ambition n Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground – Blackbird enthusiasm youth club in Littlemore now for the Youth Leys n Leys CDI – Blackbird Leys as well!” Ambition Tom Peterson, Oxford programme n Dovecote After School Club – Greater Leys n Thrive Young People’s Project – Barton Academy School’s n Rose Hill Junior Youth Club – Rose Hill Community Liaison Manager n Science Oxford – Rose Hill and East Oxford said: “The project with the n The Oxford Academy – Littlemore City Council has been first n Global Smile Soccer – Littlemore rate. n Youth Ambition – East Oxford “The staff have worked n Pegasus Theatre – East Oxford City Council with students and taught n Word Fountain – Cowley them important life skills and n City Wide – Oxford Wellbeing Project knowledge such as project n Youth Ambition – Northway planning, team work, health n Wood Farm – Inspired Young People’s Project and safety and practical n Bullingdon – Inspired Young People’s Project skills. n Cutteslowe – Inspired Young People’s Project “The fact that the staff will l For more details on the programmes, visit be providing references could www.oxford.gov.uk/youthambition or call 01865 help the boys get jobs when 252728. they leave school.” This Girl Can! These Girls Can! Working with Year 11 girls at The Oxford staying on after the session to talk to the leader Academy a sports programme called ‘This Girl Can’ Nancy, and as a result a number of talks were was developed. offered that included self-confidence, revision and Its aim was to identify which sports the girls were advice on drugs and alcohol. interested in and what they wanted to get from their Girls who had previously spent less than one hour sport sessions. a week on sport now spend six to 10 hours per Ten different sports, including, yoga, Zumba, week and their behaviour has improved at school. volleyball and boxercise, were chosen and added to One girl noted “This Girl Can definitely boosted the sports programme. my confidence, and I had a lot of fun! During the first week 18 girls joined in the Zumba “I hate sports and physical activity but when session with another 30 joining in over the weeks. you’re doing it with your friends it doesn’t seem as All clearly enjoyed the sessions and the girls began hard.” Getting fit with a Zumba dance workout Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 9 Summer 2016 United heroes on parade! Five thousand Oxford United fans civic reception hosted at Oxford turned out to cheer their heroes Town Hall, where the former Lord during an open top bus parade Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Rae through Oxford city centre in May. Humberstone, congratulated the The parade, organised by Oxford team. City Council, saw the players tour Oxford United were promoted from the city from Broad Street, through Sky Bet League Two on Saturday George Street, Worcester Street, 7 May after beating Wycombe New Road and Queen Street, to Wanderers 3-0 at the Kassam St Aldate’s where they attended a Stadium. You really can make a difference We currently run three Youth Forums projects to make change happen. working with young people to increase If you or someone you know is interested their confidence and help them make in joining a Youth Forum or getting involved, better choices. visit www.oxford.gov.uk/youthambition or This helps them become more involved email Joseph Barret, Youth Engagement in their communities and learn new Officer: [email protected] or call skills. 01865 252728. At the Forums, young people come n To see what we are up to during the together to discuss the issues that affect summer go to them and then plan, organise and lead www.oxford.gov.uk/youthevents Young people getting involved with the Youth Forums

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LANDSCAPE, GROUNDS MAINTENANCE & TREE SERVICES BUILDING REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 10 Summer 2016 Renew your commitment to a cleaner and green lifestyle

n Oxford has been celebrating Lower Carbon Week between Take the Big Green Challenge for a chance Saturday 11 and Sunday 19 June. n Lower Carbon Week is a city- wide festival that takes place every to scoop £100 vouchers! year and uses creativity, culture and community to inspire local people to take action on climate change. n This summer festival, led by Being kind to the environment Oxford City Council, features means making sacrifices and an over 100 events across the end to having any fun – right? city, including talks, walks, film Wrong! showing, competitions, workshops Most of the things each of us and performances. can do to have a positive effect on the environment are actually very n Oxford is regarded as a leading simple, and are usually good for ‘green’ city in the UK and this is your health, wellbeing and your something to celebrate. bank balance too. During Low Carbon Oxford Week n In Oxfordshire there are more we are asking Oxford residents grassroots community groups to take the ‘Big Green Challenge’ the Push’ and go veggie for a short flights abroad for rediscovering working on environmental issues and make small but important while, ‘Switch Off and Relax’ and the beautiful British Isles. than anywhere else in the UK. steps towards a cleaner, greener see how much you can save by not Whatever action you choose, if lifestyle. wasting electricity, or enter the ‘No you take the Big Green Challenge n Leading employers like MINI You might choose to ‘Give Meat Fly Zone’ and swap those low-cost anytime during June you will be Plant Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxfam and the City and County Councils are all working together to reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Test drive the future... n We can make a real difference if ‘Electric Cars are Rubbish Aren’t technology, electric car charging we all play our part. They?’ Well, maybe a few years and reducing air pollution. ago, but these days electric cars Local celebrity and electric car fan n And the good news is that are becoming more popular as a Robert Llewellyn (a.k.a Kryten from what’s good for the environment clean and environmentally friendly Red Dwarf) will be there with Artie is good for you too, whether that alternative to petrol and diesel cars. the Robot and other technology Plug-in cars produce no tailpipe experts from both our Universities. means reducing waste, getting emissions, so no pollution which There will be information stalls, on your bike, eating seasonal and is great for Oxford as well as the expert talks and a host of creative local food or generating your own planet. On Sunday 19 June you activities for kids of all ages. renewable energy – everyone have the opportunity to test drive a Test Drive the Future is a free event range of plug-in and hybrid vehicles from 11am-4pm at Magdalen College wins! at ‘Test Drive the Future’ – including School and is kindly sponsored by TESLA and BMWi. You can learn BMW North Oxford. See about innovations in low carbon www.lcoweek.org for more details.

GETTING YOUR GCSE OR A-LEVEL RESULTS THIS SUMMER? SUMMER Get the right advice for your future ADVICE DAYS Come along to our summer advice days to explore your further and higher education options. We get MORE City Of Oxford College STUDENTS Oxford city centre campus, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1SA INTO UNIVERSITY Find out more : www.cityofoxford.ac.uk/events than anyone else* Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 11 Summer 2016 Renew your commitment to a cleaner and green lifestyle Get in the How you can Take the Big Green Challenge for a chance hunt to win save on your to scoop £100 vouchers! a £1,000 energy bills All residents are encouraged to find creative ways of saving folding bike! money on their bills and help the Did you know there is a micro- environment and there is up to hydro electric system on the £2,500 energy efficiency grants Thames that is owned by the local available to help you to do so. community? Oxford City Council’s Energy Or that many rare snake’s head Advice Officers, Jackie Williams and fritillaries can be found on Iffley Jamie Blackmore, are now available Meadows? to visit all council tenants and aim Find real-time air There are simply loads of ‘green’ to find as many ways as possible to parts of Oxford that you may never help tenants save money on their have come across. energy bills. quality information So far, the average tenant has If you take part in the Big Green saved around £130 per year from Treasure Hunt in June, on foot or by on new website simply switching their energy bike, you can discover a fascinating supplier. Oxford residents can see real-time selection of hidden gems around the If you are a council housing tenant information about the air quality thanks city. and would like to save money on to a new website. To take part visit lcoweek.org flights abroad for rediscovering automatically entered into a prize your energy bills, please email us The website, www.oxfordshire.air- and download the treasure map to the beautiful British Isles. draw to win £100 M&S vouchers. quality.info/ provides hourly updates to arrange a visit on energyadvice@ find 20 locations dotted around the Whatever action you choose, if n See www.lcoweek.org/challenge about the level of harmful pollutants oxford.gov.uk or call 01865 252372. city. you take the Big Green Challenge for details and to take the in the air and historic data, allowing At each one of these spots you anytime during June you will be Challenge. residents to see trends. It is the first will find a Big Green Treasure Hunt time the information has been brought poster and some cool facts about together on one easy-to-use website. that location. The website also provides information Use your smartphone to answer about the health impact of poor air quality a question about each site and and advice about how residents can you will have a chance to win reduce their own impact on air quality. some fabulous prizes like free gym As well as being easy-to-use, the website has been designed to make it memberships, theatre tickets and as easy as possible to share the data. gadgets. Throughout the site, there are buttons There is a prize available at each to share the information on Twitter, of the 20 points and anyone who Facebook, Google+ and email. gets round more than 10 locations The website was developed by the will also be entered into a prize Oxfordshire Air Quality Group, which draw to win a Brompton folding bike consists of Oxford City Council and worth over £1,000. South Oxfordshire, Vale of the White The competition will run Horse, West Oxfordshire and Cherwell throughout the month of June, so District Councils. It was funded through there’s plenty of time to get around a £20,000 grant from Defra’s Air Quality the whole thing – you don’t have to Grant Scheme. do it all in one day, so take your time and happy hunting!

THINKING ABOUT A FOR NEW2016 CHANGE OF CAREER? TRAIN NOW AND PAY AS YOU EARN

Advanced Learner Loans now available for students aged 19 and over. www.cityofoxford.ac.uk/learning-loans Advanced Learner Loan Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 12 Summer 2016 Partnership deal to boost new homes and jobs for Oxpens Oxpens will be transformed into a new neighbourhood with between 300 and 500 new homes – including Flood relief affordable homes and key worker housing. It will also create many new jobs from investment the 10,400 square metres of offices, £2.6m will be invested in the Northway research and development space and Marston Flood Alleviation supporting the knowledge economy. Scheme to reduce flood risk to 110 A key site in the ‘City Deal’, which households that have experienced sets out the actions that will be taken flash flooding in the past due to their to create new jobs, support research closeness to Peasmoor Brook and and businesses, and improve housing Headington Hill Tributary. and transport, Oxpens is the largest As part of the work natural bunds remaining growth area for building in the and dwarf walls will be installed city centre. along the channel, the brook will Hotels sign up to help prevent abuse Situated almost opposite the new be widened and a wetland reserve John Lewis store that is being built, created. To watch a short film about HOTELS and bed & breakfast outlets scheme will also enable hotels, guest and conveniently located between the have signed up in Oxford in a pledge houses and bed and breakfasts to the project go to www.oxford.gov.uk/ Westgate shopping centre and Oxford nandmfloodproject to share information in a bid to protect share information about thefts, people railway station, the Oxpens development children and vulnerable people from not paying for rooms, credit card fraud will play a major part in the completion of Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme being abused on their premises. The and domestic violence. the regeneration of the city’s West End. The preferred route option for the The development is also expected Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is to bring benefits for neighbouring being finalised and will be showcased residents such as improved public at a public event, organised by the transport and better vehicle, cycle Environment Agency, that will be held and pedestrian links to the city on 28 June at Oxford Town Hall from Do it online and surrounding areas, including a 2pm to 8pm. You can keep up to date www.oxford.gov.uk pedestrian and cycle-bridge across with progress on the scheme at www. the river linking to Grandpont and gov.uk and @EnvAgencySE on Twitter. Osney Mead. Top six things you can do online On route to safer city for cyclists Oxford City Council has If you are able to shop online, or even do invested more than £380,000 in the city’s cycle network. your banking online, you can do any of these The Cycle City programme started in 2012 and has seen Sign-up to secure, accessible 24/7 e-billing new cycle signage installed in www.oxford.gov.uk/counciltax or /businessrates Headington, cycle training for 1 inexperienced riders and the introduction of Park and Pedal Report a housing repair Schemes at Redbridge and 2 www.oxford.gov.uk/repairmyhouse Seacourt Park and Ride sites. This year, the project saw £23,000 of signs installed Pay your Council tenancy rent and garage rent between Oxford and Blackbird 3 www.oxford.gov.uk/payments Leys. The signs direct cyclists along quieter roads, as an alternative Claim benefits to the busy Cowley and Iffley 4 www.oxford.gov.uk/benefits roads. The County Council is Report a missed bin responsible for upgrading the www.oxford.gov.uk/missedbin cycle network. 5 We want to help and encourage as many people as Report a change in circumstances for benefits possible to cycle to work or the 6 www.oxford.gov.uk/changeofcircs shops and our investment is part of helping to reduce CO2. n For more information about Building a world-class city for everyone Oxford Cycle City, visit www.oxford.gov.uk/cyclecity Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 13 Summer 2016 ‘Pedal & park’ for cyclists in Oxford With the second highest rate of residents who cycle to work of any local authority area in England and Wales, there’s always a demand for cycle racks in the city. Oxford City Council is keen to Rooftop diner is encourage cycling – not just to improve air quality but also to help people design high point keep healthy. Now businesses, GPs’ THE winner has been surgeries, community groups, shops, announced in the Architectural cafes and churches can apply for free Ideas Competition for Oxford bike stands outside their premises. Station. It’s the result of the Council teaming The Royal Institute of British up with social enterprise ParkThatBike Architects, which managed for a £5,000 trial to install 40 bike the competition on behalf of stands across Oxford. the Oxford Station consortium, Owners will have to pay for the announced the winner of the installation, which will be provided at public vote as AHF, which scored cost by the City Council. The scheme over 79 per cent of the public covers up to four Sheffield stands, up to vote. two heart-shaped stands, a three-hoop The design was selected toaster-rack, up to four wall-mounted because the station design was rails or up to two plant pot cycle racks. original and impressive. The Applicants must install the cycle judges also liked the idea of a parking on property they own so they restaurant on the roof of the cannot, for example, be put on the station itself. city’s footpaths. n For more information and to apply, please visit www.parkthatbike.info/ Demand for cycle racks is growing Anti-social behaviour blitz THE City Council has used new of behaviours, including cycling in government legislation to tackle pedestrianised zones, out-of-control anti-social behaviour in Oxford’s dogs, aggressive begging, and neighbourhoods and city centre. urination or defecation in a public The City Council launched a Public place. Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) The Council’s policy is to resolve in Foresters Tower in February cases at the lowest level of 2015, and then in the city centre in intervention possible, beginning February 2016. with advice. Under the PSPO, if The Foresters Tower PSPO stops the anti-social behaviour continues large groups of young people from the individual can be fined £100 or congregating in the tower, while the prosecuted at court. city centre order tackles a range So far, issues have ended at Foresters Tower with no need for enforcement and more than 200 people have been warned about breaching the city centre PSPO – predominantly for cycling in pedestrianised zones. The City Council is at an early stage of considering a PSPO for the city’s waterways to tackle mooring without consent, pathway obstruction and habitat destruction. A full public consultation will take place this summer. n For more information about Oxford’s PSPOs, please visit www.oxford. Cornmarket Street gov.uk/PSPO Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 14 Summer 2016 Earn while you learn Jarlath Brine, When you join us Apprentice Programme Co-ordinator as an apprentice The Council has a strong apprenticeship culture, with Oxford City Council is recruiting a track record of “growing our young people for a range of own”; investing in, supporting and apprenticeships from electricians, developing talented young people gardeners, gas engineer and living in the city with a range of surveyor/estimator, to business ‘ careers that not many employers administration, building surveyor, can match. There are no magic mechanical engineering and ingredients, but if you have a great planning technician. attitude, the drive, passion and Open to young people living in the commitment for learning and self- OX1 to OX4 postcode areas and those development, come and “earn attending schools in Oxford City, while you learn”. We’re proud that apprentices learn on the job, building over 80 per cent of our apprentices up knowledge and life skills, gaining stay and develop their long-term qualifications and earning money all at careers with us. the same time. If you come to work for us as an Want to know more? apprentice you’re agreeing to work and Jarlath and apprentices with the Thames Valley Apprentice Torch, a symbol study hard. Your success will be down of employers with a commitment to passing on knowledge to apprentices To read more and apply for any of the to you and the level of dedication ’ apprenticeships visit our website at you put in. You’ll get the very best staff started life as an apprentice. In Our apprentices become www.oxford.gov.uk/apprenticeships training for a formal qualification and 2015 we won the top Gold Award at the ambassadors for the programme Our trade apprenticeship vacancies to launch your career. In return you’ll Apprenticeships4England Awards which and are given the chance to mentor close on 17 June and our business be expected to use your training and shows our commitment to developing other young people and share their administration based roles on 30 studies to do the best job possible. our young apprentices and evidence of experiences at events. We like to ‘grow June, so get your applications in and We really value our apprentices and the good working relationships we have our own’. So we’ll let our apprentices start your career. many of our permanent members of with our training partners. share their own stories. Some inspiring stories Your new favourite room... Stephanie Rockett, a former business administration apprentice and now a full-time HR assistant who this year won the Craft Guild, Freemen of Oxford award for ‘Apprentice of the Year’ said: “You’re constantly learning new things and getting paid whilst you’re doing it. “The apprenticeship has given me confidence to do things I would never think I could do and the chance to take part in exciting projects and training to help my development.” Jordan McKinlay, a second year apprentice electrician, said “This BEFORE AFTER means a big deal to me. I was given the opportunity to learn a trade that I have always wanted to do. “It’s very practical and I was able  Cooler in Summer transform your conservatory in as little to pick up different techniques,  Warmer in Winter learning from people with whom I Stephanie Rockett with certificate as a day with our insulated roof panels  Quieter in bad weather get along so wel.” Analyst, said: “After finishing further  Usable all year  10 year guarantee This roo ng is great. Weather noise reduced, heat kept in, glare out. Lucy Longford, a business education, finding a career was a Regarding light it is actually better than with previous roof blinds.  Reduces glare Julie Woodcock administration apprentice, job itself. After a lot of ‘you need  No more faded furniture We couldn’t be more pleased with our conservatory roof. The room ambassador and mentor, said: experience’ feedback from potential  Fits easily to your existing is now used all year round as our primary day room. “The best bit about doing my employers I then decided to have a conservatory frame Tracy Binns, Ringwood apprenticeship is getting an insight look at apprenticeships. into a trade which I wouldn’t have “Apart from being paid to Call us today for a free quotation known about otherwise. learn whilst improving my office “Also learning on the job has skills, the best bit about doing an given me so many skills which will apprenticeship for me was the 01202 355 780 be valuable for my future.” unexpected career paths it opened www.greenspaceconservatories.co.uk Caylun Phillips, former Freeman up while learning a wide range of of Oxford Apprentice of the Year, transferable skills. apprentice ambassador/mentor “Earning and learning is a no and now a full-time ICT Systems brainer!” Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 15 Summer 2016 Oxford’s new Lord Mayor THE new Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor the Sheriff of Oxford. Mohammed Altaf-Khan, was appointed by Your new Council his fellow councillors at the annual Mayor THE recent May elections resulted in the Making held at Oxford Town Hall in May. The Lord Mayor’s chosen charities for 2016- Labour Party retaining overall control of the 2017 are: City Council. l n Crisis Sky Light Oxford For full details of elected councillors for your www.crisis.org.uk ward see page 19. n Quest for Learning City Executive Board www.questforlearning.org.uk n Councillor Bob Price – Leader, n Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Corporate Strategy and Economic (To enable them to create a Lord Mayor’s Development Scholarship) n Councillor Ed Turner – Deputy Leader, www.oxcis.ac.uk Finance, Asset Management and Public Health At the Mayor Making ceremony Councillor n Councillor Susan Brown Rae Humberstone was appointed Deputy Customer and Corporate Services Cllr Rae Humberstone Cllr Mohammed Altaf-Khan Lord Mayor and Councillor Susan Brown as n Councillor Alex Hollingsworth Planning and Regulatory Services n Councillor Pat Kennedy Young People, Schools and Skills Thanks for showing you care n Councillor Linda Smith Leisure, Parks and Sport n Councillor Mike Rowley Housing n Councillor Dee Sinclair Community Safety n Councillor Christine Simm Culture and Communities n Councillor John Tanner Climate Change and Clean Green Oxford l Please visit www.oxford.go.uk/meetings for the latest information about council meetings. Cllr Susan Brown Trusted help at prices you can afford Our former Lord Mayor, volunteering at an awards We know that finding reliable local help can often be difficult as you get older. Councillor Rae Humberstone, ceremony in May. We want to make it easier. Easier to choose, easier to book and easier to pay. awarded the 2016 Certificates of Shown below are the Honour to local residents who successful recipients from have given exceptional service nominations made by members to others in our city through of the public.

General Cooking & Transportation Gardening Personal Care Paperwork Home Help Shopping

Roll of Honour Trusted Pam Scopes exhibitions, presentations and tours Tell us what …and we For being a volunteer reader for 23 while supporting deaf and hard of you need support and years at West Oxford Community hearing communities. will help you Primary School. Maureen Ergeneli help with… care from £13 Karen Starr For being a steady warm heart of so choose one of For her determination in making the many community events and being the per hour West Oxford Pantomime Association quiet force in the background making our wonderful happen and succeed as a vehicle for the Osney Island community work community cohesion. effectively. team to Sophie Mavor Martin Edis For volunteering with Assisted Reading For his commitment and contribution assist you We have a for Children in the past six years at to Oxford Samaritans and for being an Orchard Meadow Primary inspirational member of the charity for handpicked, trusted Residents of West Oxford the past 14 years. team who can For their effort and achievements in Alison Gomm reducing the community’s carbon For being a sympathetic, outstanding provide excellent emissions to combat climate change and empathetic member of Oxford care and support at over the last eight years. Samaritans since joining in 1988. Simon Dore Sheila Glazebrook affordable prices For volunteering with Archway for 10 For dedicating countless hours to years and raising significant funds in a her community through her active cheerful and positive manner. membership of the North Oxford Ruth Waddle Association for over 30 years, the For promoting a greater general public Oxford Civic Society and the Marston Freephone: 0808 278 1112 awareness of deaf issues through Ferry and Blackhall Allotment Society. www.trustontap.com Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 16 Summer 2016 WORKING FOR YOU: A LOOK AT other CITY COUNCIL PROJECTS UNDER WAY in Oxford ‘Bee&Bee’ lodgings Emulsional moments as attract pollinators famous decorator returns into city’s parks to help with makeover! In May, the World-famous decorator Annie East Oxford Community Centre. Horticulture and Sloan led a team of volunteers to I’ve been going there for dance Landscaping Team brighten up East Oxford Community workshops and life drawing classes, supported the second Centre earlier this year. as well as hosting my own paint Oxford Bee Summit, The project launched the 25th workshops there. organised by Oxford anniversary of Annie’s brand. “I’ve always been intrigued by Friends of the Earth. The celebrations will see her and the wide number of activities held Julian Cooper, her team redecorating 25 community there. Now I’m thrilled to be a part Landscape and spaces around the world. of breathing new life and beautiful Countryside afternoon the team helped children to Annie, who still has a shop in East colour into the space.” Supervisor, gave a Oxford, and her team provided all Oxford City Council took over the short presentation make and paint mini bee hotels. the materials and expertise for the running of the community centre in on what Oxford City transformation and recruited local September 2015 and, since then, Council is doing n If you want to learn residents to volunteer and help make has invested £15,000 to refurbish the to encourage bees more about how to be it happen. building and launched a series of and pollinators into a Bee Champion, visit Annie said: “I’ve always loved the new activities. our parks and in the www.oxfoe.co.uk VISION FOR CITY The Council’s Corporate Plan for 2016-20 sets our vision and strategy for the next four years, focusing on five interlinked priorities which address the key needs of the city: n A vibrant and sustainable economy n Meeting housing needs n Strong and active communities n A clean and green Oxford n An efficient and effective council. l You can download a copy of the Corporate Plan on our website www.oxford.gov.uk/policy Oxford’s allotments need you Oxford’s allotment community outdoor activity with the added is thriving and looking forward to satisfaction of growing your own fruit welcoming new members. and vegetables. There are 35 allotments sites with “They also provide a habitat for over 2,600 gardeners who enjoy wildlife. growing food, and benefit from “Oxford has a lot of sites, so there exercise and fresh air – a great is always availability at one of the family activity and a great way to sites.” meet new people. Plots vary from as little at £35 for Most allotments hold open days, a small plot to £60 for a larger one plant sales and working parties (per year) to support the upkeep and where allotment members work general running of the site. together to keep the allotments neat n For more information on renting and tidy. an allotment, visit our website Wendy Skinner Smith, Chair of www.oxford.gov.uk/allotments the Oxford and District Federation or www.odfaa.com for more of Allotment Associations, said: information on running an “Allotments provide a healthy allotment. Wendy Skinner Smith, Rodney Smith and Jeremy Hyde Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 17 Summer 2016 WORKING FOR YOU: A LOOK AT other CITY COUNCIL PROJECTS UNDER WAY in Oxford Emulsional moments as famous decorator returns to help with makeover! Electric revolution at Rose Hill ???????????????????????ERIC’s bringing green technology to Rose Hill

Project ERIC is a pioneering electricity, people not being scheme bringing solar panels and able to afford to heat their battery storage technology to homes adequately, stress on the Rose Hill. electricity grid infrastructure and Bioregional is leading the disengaged communities who project and working with Oxford feel they have no control over City Council house tenants, the energy they use and where it Green Square households, comes from. 10 private households, the Project ERIC aims to address local primary school and new these challenges by transforming community centre installing solar residents’ houses into active, Local residents PV panels and battery storage to mini-power stations that are able lend a hand create a localised energy grid. to generate, store and utilise to brighten up As part of the ERIC project, a green electricity locally. East Oxford fully electric car club has been Energy use in the house is Community launched in Rose Hill which available to view in real-time Centre under the residents can now join. so residents can see how their expert guidance The car club, run by Co- energy use relates to their actions of renowned Wheels, is the first electric car and when during the day they can decorator Annie club in Oxford to use 100 per save the most. Sloan, pictured cent renewable electricity, as the Oxford City Council is a key right car is charged using energy made partner in the project and has by the community centre’s solar been pioneering in its approach panels. How green is that? to supporting and investing The UK currently faces a in the scheme and making number of energy challenges, the technology available to its for example, the rising cost of tenants. Oxford’s allotments need you How we’re cutting our CO2 emissions Oxford City Council has installed 66 solar panels on the roof of St Aldate’s Chambers, the Council’s main city centre offices. The photovoltaic panels, which were installed in January, will generate about five per cent of the building’s electricity. The panels cost £45,000 and will generate about £4,445 income every year for Wendy Skinner Smith, Rodney Smith and Jeremy Hyde the Council. Solar panels installed on St. Aldate's Chambers roof Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 18 Summer 2015 Do it online...for your chance to scoop £5,000!

Modern life is hectic – but paying by Direct It really is the perfect way to stay in control of your bills! Do Debit takes away the hassle associated with it now as the closing date is 30 September 2016. paying bills. This is a national campaign with one monetary prize of You’ll find it easier to stay on top of your bills, £5,000 (funded by BACS). To find out more, visit www.bacs. and you’ll know exactly how much money is co.uk going out each month. The Council will ensure that the direct debit is set up Make your life easier by paying your Council properly with your bank and you will always be notified in Tax by Direct Debit. It’s the most convenient advance if there are to be any changes to your payments. way to spread the cost across the year and Paying by direct debit also provides security, as all gives you peace of mind that your bills will be payments are covered by the Direct Debit Agreement and you paid on time, every time and with no missed will receive a full refund if there is a mistake by ourselves or payments. the bank. The draw will be held on 7 October 2016. Or £1,000 vouchers! Pay your Council rent by Direct Debit and you could WIN one of five main prizes of £1,000 shopping vouchers (funded by Bacs). With the introduction of Universal Credit, the way in which you receive your housing benefit may be changing, and you could be responsible for paying your rent direct to your housing provider. Switching to Direct Debit can help you manage these payments, meaning you can relax knowing that your rent will be paid automatically, so you never have to worry about forgetting to pay. It’s the convenient way for you to keep on top of your budget. And, thanks to a campaign launched by Bacs, you could win £1,000 in shopping vouchers, simply by signing-up to pay your housing rent by Direct Debit. So, there’s never been a better time to take control and switch the way you pay – and just think what you could Setting up a Direct Debit spend the vouchers on! You can set up a Direct Debit in The closing date is 28 October 2016. as little as five minutes over the Central prizes will be provided by phone, taking the hassle out of Bacs, who will also manage the prize managing your money. draw, taking place on 4 November When you sign up to pay your 2016. rent or Council Tax by direct All existing and new residents debit you can choose from a registered to pay by Direct Debit will number of flexible payment dates be entered into the relevant draw. across the month. n Eligibility criteria applies. For You can go online and within MINI- the terms and conditions for both CARS LGV five minutes you can be signed BUSES of these, visit www.directdebit. up. Visit our website co.uk/nationalcounciltax and www. www.oxford.gov.uk directdebit.co.uk/nationalhousing/rents eBilling – go paperless today Now you can save time, hassle to create an account, and you can and paper by managing your bills then receive eBilling for a range of securely online for free. the Council’s services, including Our eBilling service gives you Council Tax and Business Rates. the choice to view, pay and keep By signing up to eBilling you details of your accounts online in will also help the council to make your digital locker. savings by not having to send out It means you can access, view bills through the post, money that and pay at any time of the day or can be better used to provide local night. services This service is free and is very To register, you just need to sign quick and easy to sign up for and up online at www.oxford.gov.uk/ all you need to do to get started is ebilling Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 19 Summer 2016 Your Ward Councillors

WARD 1 . Barton & Sandhills WARD 2 . Blackbird Leys WARD 3 . Carfax WARD 4 . Churchill WARD 5 . Cowley n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 Mike Rowley Linda Smith Alex Hollingsworth Mark Lygo David Henwood Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour M: 07827 532445 m: 07961 121704 M: 07767 442815 M: 07826 527047 M: 07824 462002 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

11 Heath Close Oxford OX3 7NJ 125 Oxford Road Old Marston Oxford OX3 0RB 34 Canal Street Oxford OX2 6BQ 20 Valentia Road Headington Oxford OX3 7PL 3 David Nicholls Close Littlemore Oxford OX4 4QX n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 Van Coulter Rae Humberstone Ruthi Brandt Susan Brown Christine Simm Labour and co-operative Labour - DEPUTY Lord Mayor GREEN Labour - SHERIFF Labour M: 07483 010685 T: 01865 779678 M: 07768 429566 E: [email protected] M: 07775 792447 T: 01865 747303 M: 07791 749652 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] M: 07900 201350 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

32 Boundary Brook Road Oxford OX4 4AW 75 Little Bury Greater Leys Oxford OX4 7UZ 31 James Street Oxford OX4 1ET 34 Canal Street Oxford OX2 6BQ 46 Annesley Road Oxford OX4 4JQ

WARD 6 . Cowley Marsh WARD 7 . Headington WARD 8 . Headington Hill & Northway WARD 9 . Hinksey Park WARD 10 . Holywell n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 Sajjad Malik Ruth Wilkinson Nigel Chapman Marie Tidball Dan Iley-Williamson Labour Liberal Democrat Labour Labour Labour M: 07787 874683 M: 07789 368300 M: 07850 763708 M: 07483 011354 M: 07483 011352 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Twitter: @ruthwilk 24 Emperor Gardens Blackbird Leys Oxford Ox4 7wb 21 Thames View Road Oxford OX4 4TQ 34 Chalfont Road Oxford OX2 6TH C/O Members’ Room Oxford Town Hall OX1 1BX C/O Members’ Room Oxford Town Hall OX1 1BX n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 Mohammed Abbasi Mohammed Altaf-Khan Farida Anwar Bob Price David Thomas Labour Liberal Democrat - LORD MAYOR Labour Labour - LEADER OF THE COUNCIL GREEN - DEPUTY LEADER T: 01865 792250 M: 07889 867931 M: 07931 345554 M: 07771 381847 T: 01865 725218 WORK: 01865 252204 M: 07792 527421 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

7 Warneford Road Oxford OX4 1LT C/O Civic Office, EA, Oxford Town HallOX1 1BX C/O Members’ Room Oxford Town Hall OX1 1BX 43 Western Road Oxford OX1 4LF 75 Bartholomew Road Oxford OX4 3QN

WARD 11 . Iffley Fields WARD 12 . Jericho and Osney WARD 13 . Littlemore WARD 14 . Lye Valley WARD 15 . Marston n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 Steve Curran Colin Cook John Tanner Pat Kennedy Mick Haines Labour Labour Labour Labour Independent M: 07483 011355 T: 01865 721844 T: 01865 251441 T: 01865 243284 T: 01865 529158 M: 07917 837754 E: [email protected] W: 01865 285770 E: [email protected] M: 07917 837693 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 88 Fairacres Road Oxford OX4 1TG 12 Riverside Road Oxford OX2 OHU 32 Sunningwell Road Oxford Ox1 4SX 264 Abingdon Road Oxford OX1 4TA 3 Croft Road Marston Oxford OX3 0JX n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 Richard Tarver Susanna Pressel Gill Sanders Ben Lloyd-Shogbesan Mary Clarkson Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour T: 01865 240123 T: 01865 554001 T: 01865 761856 M: 07974 947628 T: 01865 751493 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Twitter: @maryoxford 61 Howard Street Oxford OX4 3AY 7 Rawlinson Road Oxford OX2 6UE 200 Headington Road Headington Oxford Ox3 7ps 105 Cornwallis Road Oxford Ox4 3NH Lower Farm 8 Dunstan Road Oxford OX3 9BY

WARD 16 . North WARD 17 . Northfield Brook WARD 18 . Quarry & Risinghurst WARD 19 . Rose Hill & Iffey WARD 20 . St. Clement’s n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 James Fry Sian Taylor Chewe Munkonge Ed Turner Jamila Begum Azad Labour Labour Labour Labour - deputy leader Labour T: 01865 554001 m: 07767 311425 M: 07825 283858 T: 01865 778358 T: 01865 771561 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] M: 07738 863012 E: [email protected] 7 Rawlinson Road Oxford OX2 6UE C/O Members’ Room Oxford Town Hall OX1 1BX 7 Grovelands Road Oxford OX3 8HZ 18 Nowell Road Rose Hill Oxford 0X4 4TA 21 Reliance Way Oxford OX4 2FG n n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 Until May 2018 Louise Upton Jennifer Pegg Dee Sinclair Michele Paule Tom Hayes Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour T: 01865 793899 M: 07799 768233 M: 07525 720599 T: 01865 765260 M: 07833 441187 M: 07483 010658 M: 07901 853314 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Twitter: @clllrtomhayes 13 White Hart Oxford OX3 0PL C/O Members’ Room Oxford Town Hall OX1 1BX 10 Norton Close Headington Oxford OX3 7BQ C/O Members’ Room Oxford Town Hall OX1 1BX C/O Members’ Room Oxford Town Hall OX1 1BX

WARD 21 . St. Margaret’s WARD 22 . St. Mary’s WARD 23 . Summertown WARD 24 . Wolvercote Political composition of Oxford n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 n Until May 2020 City Council 2016–2020 Tom Landell Mills Craig Simmons Andrew Gant Angie Goff Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat - GROUP LEADER GREEN - GROUP LEADER Liberal Democrat Labour 35 M: 07483 011351 M: 07545 122560 M: T: 01865 202257 M: 07739 803047 07483 011356 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Liberal Democrats 8 38 Kingston Road Oxford OX2 6RH 55 Middle Way Oxford OX2 7LE 41 Magdalen Road Oxford OX4 1RB 25 Jordan Hill Oxford OX2 8ET Green 4 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 n Until May 2018 Independent 1 Liz Wade Dick Wolff Jean Fooks Stephen Goddard Liberal Democrat GREEN Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat M: 07984 602723 M: 07968 486854 T: 01865 310351 M: 07880 042648 T: 01865 513106 Total number of councillors 48 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Twitter: @greenwolff All details correct at time of going to press 28 Polstead Road Oxford OX2 6TN 69 Victoria Road Oxford OX2 7QG 9 St. Bernard’s Road Oxford OX2 6EH 60 Rosamund Road Wolvercote Oxford OX2 8NX

Please go to: www.oxford.gov.uk/meetings for the latest information about Council meetings Upgrading the railway near Banbury and Oxford 30 July − 15 August 2016 Ad being resized

We’re carrying out major improvement work as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan between Leamington Spa, Banbury, Bicester North, Oxford and Didcot Parkway this summer, and lines will be closed for up to 16 days.

This will aƒ ect train services operated by Great Western Railway, CrossCountry and Chiltern Railways.

The train companies have worked hard to provide alternative journey solutions, so if you’re planning to travel during this time please check your journey carefully at nationalrail.co.uk

@nationalrailenq #RailwayUpgradePlan

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