Parish Council Update

Thank You To Our Volunteers!

Our Community relies on volunteers to make it what it is - from those who run annual events such as the Flower Show and the Fireworks, monthly Afternoon Teas, Family Fun Days and Halloween Celebrations. Fund raising activities including Bingo and the Christmas Fayre. Putting up the marquee to support these events, winding the church clock, keeping our facilities in good working order for us all to enjoy - the list goes on - members of our Village quietly working behind the scenes for the benefit of all.

I would like to hi-light 2 new programs that you will see in the Parish, if you find you have a little spare time and would like to contribute in any volunteer role then please do give me a shout, it's a great way to meet new people.

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Highway Maintenance

 

I'd like to introduce you to Helen Fennel AKA 'The Village Pot Hole Queen'

Her volunteer role is to proactively investigate highways issues in our Parish and act as the eyes and ears for OCC Highways Officers. Identifying potholes, damaged pavements, kerbs and blocked drains/gullies.

Helen completed her Fix My Street 'Super User' Training with Oxfordshire County Council, both online and in person. The Super User can raise work orders, within criteria, for minor works.

She was advised not to enter too many issues in one go, so last Wednesday (17th June) she logged the initial 6 and remedial work was carried out on Monday. The next 6 have now been entered into the system.

Thank you Helen, we will all reap the benefits of our improved environment.

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Community Speed Watch

We now have enough volunteers to re-start our Community Speed Watch Campaign. A minimum of 3 people need to be involved at any one time to ensure that the information is gathered correctly.

The vehicle registration number, speed and the time of the incident is recorded and shared with Thames Valley Police who then follow up directly with the driver.

Thames Valley Police will train our team shortly, then you will see them in action.

Thank you Team Speed Watch for helping to make our Village a little safer.

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How You Can Help

 

Finally, I just wanted to make suggestions as to how you can help without actually taking on a volunteer role.

Illegal Parking We often hear complaints on how vehicles are parked in our village, these can be reported directly to Oxfordshire County Council who will follow up directly with the vehicle owner - the more often these are reported then the more likely it is that action will be taken. Whilst the Parish Council do their best to monitor illegal parking, it does not have the authority to prevent it.

Highways Issues although our 'Pot Hole Queen' is doing a super job, you can also report issues on the highways on FixMyStreet, not just pot holes but damaged or missing street furniture, overgrown hedges preventing visibility, issues with manhole covers - the list goes on...

Dogs We have a huge issue with dogs not being on a lead in the village - your dog may be very well behaved, but if you don't put yours on a lead then a less responsible dog owner definitely won't. Even if you don't have a dog, please help us by asking others to put theirs on a lead. The Parish Council have had a number of new signs made and you will be seeing an increased number of these across the Village.

Litter If you see any litter on our pretty streets and verges, why not pick it up and pop it in one of the bins, or take it home with you. If you would like to be more proactive we have number of litter picker grabber sticks that you can use anytime - you could even have one on a semi-permanent loan.

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  Sarah Burrows

  Clerk & RFO

  Upper Heyford Parish Council

  parishclerk@upperheyfordpc.org.uk

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Upper Heyford Village Hall

Somerton Road, Upper Heyford

OX25 5LB

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