***Change of venue***

The village consultation on Thursday 15 th December from 7pm will now be held at St. Marys Church.

You are probably aware that until their improvement project is completed, the church doesn’t have any “facilities”.

Meeting in the village hall on Thursday 15th December at 7:00 pm.

Upton Parish Council will set its budget in December and wants to communicate the choices
it faces and to seek the views of villagers regarding their priorities.
Our income is primarily the parish precept which is a small proportion of the council tax
levied on every household. In addition we may have donations, grants (where available) and
VAT reclaims. Last year the Parish Council substantially increased the precept as it had been
largely unchanged for some years. The 2022-23 precept was £24,326, which equates to
£108 p.a. for a band D property.
In round numbers, our income from all sources for 2022 was £30,000. Of this £11,500 was
used to cover fixed costs such as insurance, salaries, audits, subscriptions, IT etc. However,
the largest expenses the Parish Council incurs is the provision, inspection and maintenance
of the playground equipment at £13,000 and the maintenance of the recreation grounds
and village pathways at £5,500.
Our fixed costs will increase in 2023 by £5000 as we must take on a trainee clerk to ensure
that there will be someone in post who is qualified when the current clerk retires. Also we
have to pay for the emptying of waste bins on the rec as Biffa do not collect off-road. In
2023 we plan to employ contractors to maintain the grounds and pathways. Whilst we are
grateful to the volunteers who have been looking after some aspects up to now, the more
onerous tasks have, perhaps understandably, been neglected. For example the footpath to
Chilton and the cemetery extension are unacceptably overgrown. Whilst there is an increase
in costs resulting from this decision, there are savings too as we will not have to provide our
own equipment, fuel and insurance. It will cost us £5500 to bring things up to scratch and
for the ongoing maintenance for the year.
The play equipment is nearing the end of its life and therefore in need of more stringent
inspections by a third party and more repairs to ensure its continuing safety. We estimate
this will cost us £9000 in 2023 but we also need to put aside a reserve for replacement or
accept that when it is no longer repairable it is taken out of service. Upton’s play equipment
is well used both by visitors from outside the village and by residents’ children and
grandchildren. We welcome this wider use but recognise that it is only Upton villagers that
have to bear the costs.
Summary 2023:

Without an increase in the precept even this expenditure would mean the council drawing
on its limited reserves.
There are major projects to be done too. There is a legal requirement to provide a stockproof fence at the field boundary of the rec and, because of the visitor influx, parking at the
recreation ground is inadequate and the overflow area requires work. Money needs to be
put aside for these items and for replacement of the play equipment when it is beyond
repair; they could be delayed but the longer things are left, the more they will cost.
As with current household budgets we need to make difficult choices, the big questions are:
Should we increase the precept by, say, the current rate of inflation or even more to enable
us to maintain the current services? (N.B. 15% increase would be just £1.35 additional
monthly cost for a band D property).
Do we remove rather than replace end-of-life play equipment?
Do we reserve funds for major projects with a consequently larger increase in the precept?
The Parish Council will make these decisions but would like to know the views of villagers as
it is your money we are responsible for spending. Please come to a meeting in the village
hall on Thursday 15th December at 7:00 pm to give your input or contact the parish clerk at
parish.clerk@uptonvillage.co.uk if you cannot make it in person.

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Shoppers in the Vale of White Horse are being given a helping hand to buy local this Christmas. 

People that can’t come into their local businesses and shopping areas by walking, cycling or public transport can take advantage of free parking at the district council’s car parks on some Saturdays in the run up to Christmas. Where possible, the council is asking people to car share to help reduce congestion and local air pollution.  

Starting on 26 November and running until 17 December, free car parking is being provided at various sites in Abingdon, Faringdon and Wantage, by the Vale of White Horse District Council, to encourage people to visit their independent shops for Christmas gifts to help support local businesses. 

Free Christmas parking days also means people won’t have to pay to park if they wish to catch up with friends and family in the great pubs, cafés and restaurants found across the district’s towns during the festive period. 

Drivers will be able to park for free in local car parks on these following Saturdays:  

• Abingdon      26 November, 3 and 10 December 

• Faringdon     3,10 and 17 December 

• Wantage       3,10 and 17 December 

The free parking days allocated to each town are agreed with the individual town councils depending on which day would best suit local traders. On the above days there’s no need to display a ticket, however maximum stay times still apply in specific car parks. People can find out more information on all the car parks from the council’s website – www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/carparks  

Cllr Sally Povolotsky, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Environment at Vale of White Horse District Council said: “We urge everyone to walk, cycle or use public transport where possible, however, we recognise that being a largely rural district some of our residents will need to use their cars to drive into town to do their Christmas shopping.  

“Christmas gives us the ideal opportunity to visit our great selection of independent traders offering original gifts, many of which are made or sourced locally. Shopping at our local independents is particularly important this time of year as many have been adversely affected by the pandemic and are now facing tough economic times ahead.”