Identical twins Chris and Johnny Taylor, aged 18 and from Charlbury, are studying for their A levels alongside training as boxers at Banbury Boxing Club.

They entered foster care at 14, where the stability and support they received helped shape the exciting direction their lives are now taking.

Johnny said: “Our days are very structured now and that’s something that could only have happened through being fostered.

“When we first moved in with our brilliant foster carer, Lucy, life felt uncertain and we weren’t always sure what support would be available to us, everything felt strange and new.

“However, over time, that began to change as routine and structure gradually became a source of reassurance, helping us feel more secure and confident, something we hadn’t really had until that point.

“At first it felt like staying at a friend’s house, then after a while it felt like home.

“Once you’re settled, then you can dream; your ambition and drive kick in. We both love boxing, and train and coach together at Banbury Boxing Club. But it doesn’t end there because we also share knowledge about fitness and sports nutrition on our social media channels. You’ll find us on TikTok: thetaylortwins07 and Instagram: thetaylortwins.07.”

The twins’ commitment to boxing, alongside their academic studies, has brought its rewards; they were recently offered unconditional places on the psychology and sports performance undergraduate course at University of Portsmouth, where they’ll enrol in September 2026.

Having their own bedrooms and taking part in everyday family activities, such as shared dinners, holidays abroad, and spending time together, has helped the twins feel settled and truly at home, and they believe this has played an important role in how opportunities are now falling into place.

Chris sums it up: “It just makes everything calm, you know, it’s like we can wake up, we know what we’re doing, no stress.”

Their foster carer, Lucy, isn’t left to provide support alone, assistance comes from Oxfordshire County Council’s dedicated foster care team and by being linked with a wider network such as peer support from other fostering families.

Councillor Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, said: “Chris and Johnny’s experience shows how fostering can make a real difference for children and young people, replacing uncertainty with stability, support and a sense of belonging that is now helping them pursue their ambitions.

“I hope in Chris and Johnny we have two future boxing stars and I wish them the very best.

“We have 147 approved fostering families and I admire and congratulate each and every one of them for their dedication and commitment to young people.

“Our foster care service is not for profit, and where possible we are committed to keeping children and young people near to their birth families, friends and schools.”

Oxfordshire County Council’s foster carers receive:

• Generous fees, paid in addition to the child’s allowance, based on experience and skills.
• Dedicated social worker support.
• Access to professionals involved with the child/children, linked with support groups and specialised training.

For further information about becoming a foster carer, visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@oxfordshire.gov.uk or phone 0800 783 5724.

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Oxfordshire County Council will relaunch its community capacity grants and connected communities fund for 2024/25 on Monday 16 September, with the overall pot now standing at £525,000.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Community groups in Oxfordshire are one of our most valuable assets that support people to live well and independently in their own community.

“On the surface, they offer an enjoyable hobby or place to get together and socialise. But underneath they’re providing day to day support for people who might otherwise suffer from isolation and poor health. The simple activity of going to these groups can make a huge difference for someone, enabling them to live happily and independently at home.

“We don’t underestimate the value of these groups. They are the lifeblood of our Oxfordshire Way vision and we want to make sure they are supported to continue to do their essential work.”

The funding is split into two areas. The connected communities fund offers groups faster access to grants of up to £5,000 and is administered by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action and Community First Oxfordshire.

The second is the larger community capacity grant fund that will consider applications from organisations looking for £5,000 to £20,000. Administered by Oxfordshire Community Foundation, this programme is for more established organisations to enable them to significantly enhance the work they do.

Due to the sizeable sums of money involved in the community capacity grants scheme and the high number of applicants, requests are subject to an assessment panel and generally have a lower chance of receiving funding compared to the connected communities fund.

Community groups may only apply for one grant. Simultaneous requests to both funds will not be accepted.

Connected communities fund

Last year, Charlbury community workshop received £2,750 through the connected communities fund, helping it to officially launch the centre and budget for its running costs for the next 12 months.

David Court, Chairman of Charlbury Community Workshop, said: “The money we received through the connected communities fund has had a massive impact on getting us to where we are now. We can operate safely and invite even more members of our community to come along and find out what we’re all about.”

 Last year, 62 groups benefited from the connected communities fund, each receiving a share of £175,000.

The application window for the connected communities fund will open on Monday 16 September and will remain open until all the money has been distributed.

Larger community capacity grants

Alternatively, organisations looking for more than £5,000 can apply to the larger community capacity grants fund, offering access to up to £20,000 of the total £341,250 pot.

Last year, 24 organisations received a share of £325,000 from the community capacity fund. Around 100 eligible organisations applied. Oxfordshire Community Foundation was able to find a further £83,000 from other generous donors to fund an additional six organisations.

Cholsey Volunteers received £12,500 from the council’s larger grants programme last year, enabling them to enhance their service for residents. This included the development of a community larder and food bank as well as a new Cholsey Welcome Space for villagers to meet and socialise.

Jane Tyndall, Development Officer with Cholsey Volunteers, said: “We are enormously grateful for the financial support we have received through the council’s community capacity grants.

“This has not just helped us to survive and grow but has enabled us to become what seems like a permanent fixture in the village and encouraged a huge number of ‘can do’ people to get involved. The village is a far richer place for it.”

The application process for these larger grants takes more time, with proposals being considered by a panel from Oxfordshire Community Foundation in November.

Details of the fund are now available, with organisations being asked to submit their application between Monday 16 September and Monday 14 October, when they will then be assessed. 

How to apply

Organisations looking to apply for up to £5,000 through the connected communities fund, alongside additional support from Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action and Community First Oxfordshire, can find more information online.

Groups hoping for an amount between £5,000 and £20,000 can apply online to Oxfordshire Community Foundation.

More details, including the specific criteria and tips for a successful application can be found at oxfordshire.gov.uk/CommunityCapacityGrant

The new community hub officially opened in April this year and supports the health and wellbeing of local residents by bringing them together to craft, recycle and repurpose second hand items, giving members a sense of belonging and purpose.

Last year’s council grant has enabled trustees and volunteers from Charlbury community workshop to officially launch the centre and budget for its running costs for the next 12 months.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Charlbury community workshop is an excellent example of our Oxfordshire Way in action. The centre supports people to live happily and independently within their own communities, helping to prevent ill health brought on through loneliness and inactivity.

“These smaller grants provided through the council’s connected communities fund can have a massive impact when used in such a positive and innovative way and I congratulate the team in Charlbury for all that they have achieved.”

Since opening its doors in April, the workshop has been running three sessions per week for people looking to hone their skills in soft crafts, including fabrics, sewing and crochet, and hard crafts such as woodwork and bench repairs.

The financial stability secured following the successful grant application has enabled the trustees and members to plan for the future, with a focus of extending the workshop’s reach to even more people.

David Court, Chairman of Charlbury Community Workshop, said: “The money we received through the connected communities fund has had a massive impact on getting us to where we are now. We can operate safely and invite even more members of our community to come along and find out what we’re all about.”

While the funding has been provided by Oxfordshire County Council, the connected communities fund is managed by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) and Community First Oxfordshire.

OCVA and Community First are experts in the local community and voluntary sector and their grants plus programme not only administers the finances of the connected communities fund but also offers advice and support to help the money go as far as possible.

Laura Price, CEO of Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, said: “This accessible and flexible approach to funding activity has enabled us to offer bespoke support around the different needs of communities.

“Small amounts of funding can have a huge impact, giving more people more choice about how they can stay healthy, happy and connected across our county. It’s also great to build lasting relationships with groups who might come back to us for help with volunteer recruitment or training needs.”

Emily Lewis-Edwards, co-CEO of Community First Oxfordshire, said: “We thank Oxfordshire County Council for continuing to build the relationship with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, treating them as an equal partner and trusting their experience and knowledge to place small and accessible funds with community groups and organisations that make a real difference for people in their communities and neighbourhoods.”

“The connected communities fund is a great example of collaboration work at its best.”

Find out more about Charlbury community workshop, including how to get involved, on its website.

More information about the support offered by OCVA and Community First can be found online, and through the Community First webpage.

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During 2019, Dean Potter, aged 34, from Gloucester, trading at the time of the offences as 4 Counties Landscaping, was contracted to complete work for the resident.

Mr Potter carried out work on the drive and garage and charged the customer £5,600, which was worth, as valued by an expert, £161.

He also demanded £6,500 to replace the garage roof when the cost should have been £2,390, but luckily trading standards intervened before this money was handed over.

Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team brought the prosecution, which was heard at Oxford Magistrates Court.

Prior to the start of the trial, Mr Potter pleaded guilty of committing offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, for:

• Failing to provide any written quotes or invoices including cancelling rights, contravening the requirements of professional diligence.
• Claiming the product would only be available on particular terms for a very limited time, namely at a reduced price if work was agreed to immediately, in order to elicit an immediate decision and deprive the consumer of sufficient opportunity or time to make an informed decision.
• Charging the customer for work when the value was less than the amounts charged.

Mr Potter was required by the court to pay:

• Compensation of £6,600 to the victim (comprised of £5,600 for the work, and £1,000 for distress, inconvenience; and remedial work).
• A contribution of £3,600 to the costs of the prosecution.
• Financial penalty of £1,850.
• Victim surcharge of £181.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “This case shows that we will pursue those who pressurise vulnerable members of the public into having work done and for charging excessively for a substandard job.

“We advise anybody who is looking for a reliable trader to always get a number of detailed quotes, check with friends and family for trusted recommendations and consider a trading standards approved trader, from our Buy With Confidence scheme.”

Any Oxfordshire resident that has concerns about activity of this nature should report it to trading standards using the national consumer helpline 0808 223 1133.

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 Oxfordshire’s Lord Lieutenant, Marjorie Glasgow, said: “It was wonderful to welcome The Countess of Wessex to Oxfordshire. She got to see much of the county.

 “At Shrivenham she opened the Royal Army Chaplain’s Museum, which tells the story of chaplaincy in the British Army. At Charlbury she saw the new community centre and The Cornerstone, which has done an extraordinary job of continuing the strong volunteer work started during the pandemic.

 “Finally, in east Oxford she met people who are working together to make an enduring, positive impact on their community.”

It was here, at Blackbird Leys Community Centre, that The Countess visited the Community Impact Zone where she thanked staff, volunteers and organisations who contribute to the scheme. 

 The Community Impact Zone is an award-winning partnership between Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police to improve collaboration across services, work more effectively with residents and increase the resources and opportunities available in communities. The partnership is coordinated by Oxford Hub, a local charity focusing on supporting everyone to use their energy and skills to build a better city. 

 Sara Fernandez, Chief Executive of Oxford Hub, said: “We were delighted that The Countess chose to visit the Community Impact Zone and her interest in the collaboration is a testament to the inspiring work that residents, volunteers and staff are doing every day to make the Leys better for everyone.”

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The changes mean that from Monday 28^th September, Sonning Common will be open and on the 29^th Faringdon, Watlington and Goring libraries will reopen. Work is progressing for, Chinnor, Woodgreen, Charlbury and Wychwood libraries to be open early October.

Oxfordshire County Council has already successfully reopened 20 libraries including Abingdon, Banbury, Berinsfield, Bicester, Blackbird Leys, Carterton, Chipping Norton, Cowley, Didcot, Eynsham, Headington, Henley, Kidlington, Summertown, Thame, Wallingford, Wantage, Woodstock, Witney and the Oxfordshire County Library in the Westgate Centre.

Please check Oxfordshire Libraries website for the current opening hours as they may not be the same as pre-Covid-19 and may be subject to change.

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services said:

“The fact that more of our county libraries are reopening to serve the community is a great step for residents. I’d like to thank our library staff and volunteers for their hard work in making this possible.

“Please take care of yourselves and others when visiting libraries as there will be some important adjustments made for your safety and that our staff. Remember also that a wealth of electronic services and e-books can still be accessed via our library website.”

Library users can now return items with no risk with the book drop boxes accessible in or out of opening hours. People can also of course return them inside our safely-adapted libraries.

Library visitors will be asked to wear face coverings, pay by card where possible and contact details will be requested when visiting.

Please check our website for any changes and advice for visiting libraries as they reopen at our library service page:

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-culture/libraries

Organising a fireworks display? Let us know and we’ll list it here. Keep checking back for more great suggestions for bonfire night!

Saturday 27th October
 

• Family Fireworks Spectacular at Edward Feild Primary School (Kidlington)

• Weston On The Green Village Fireworks (Weston On The Green)

• Nettlebed Halloween Spooktacular Fireworks at Sue Ryder (Nettlebed)

Friday 2nd November

• South Stoke Bonfire & Firework Night (South Stoke)

• Bonfire & Firework night at Far Peak Campsite (North Leach)

• Deddington CofE School PTA’s Firework Night (Deddington)

• Hanborough musical fireworks (Long Hanborough)

• Grove RFC Fireworks (Grove)

• Checkendon School Association Fireworks (Checkendon)

• Mill Lane School Fireworks, Chinnor

Saturday 3rd November

• Oxford Fireworks South Park – The Oxford Round Table charity firework display (Oxford)

• Halloween Fireworks Display at Blenheim Palace (Woodstock)

• Thame Fireworks (Thame)

• 2nd Abingdon Scouts Fireworks Display (Abingdon)

• Charlbury Cricket Club Bonfire Night (Charlbury)

• Bicester Round Table Fireworks Display (Bicester)

• RAL Rec-soc fireworks display & disco (Harwell)

• Wallingford 1155 Fireworks & Bonfire (Wallingford)

• Dorchester on Thames village fireworks (Dorchester on Thames)

• Faringdon Fireworks and Bonfire (Faringdon)

• Kingham Village Fireworks and Bonfire (Kingham)

• Thame Fireworks @ Lord William’s Lower School (Thame)

• Standlake Village Hall (Standlake) Bonfire & Fireworks

Sunday 4th November

• Fireworks Night at Phyllis Court (Henley)

• Witney RFC Bonfire and Fireworks Spectacular (Witney)

• Didcot Pyromusical Fireworks Display (Didcot)

• Fireworks Night at Bicester hotel and golf & spa (Chesterton, nr Bicester)

• Bicester Round Table Fireworks (Bicester)

Monday 5th November

• The Plough’s free firework night (Wolvercote)

• UPDATED! Bodicote Fireworks Display: Gates open 5.45, display 7.30 £4 entry, under 5's free!

Saturday 10th November

• Abingdon Festival of Fireworks (Dalton Barracks, Abingdon)

• Kirtlington Fireworks Display (Kirtlington)

It’s known as a Regen scheme, which is where the top 150mm of a failed road is pulverised, cement added and then re-profiled to provide a smooth running surface that will repel water. The road is then surface dressed with bitumen and chippings to seal it and to provide good skid resistance.

It may only be eight months after the grand opening of Charlbury’s library in the town’s new £2.5 million community centre, but already more people than ever are joining up and borrowing books.

Gone are the days of dog-eared dusty tomes, cramped spaces and librarians shushing anyone making more than a loud whisper that was the norm in many public libraries.

Oxfordshire’s 43 libraries now offer a rich variety of activities and services that make them vibrant community spaces, accessible to wider audiences and used by citizens in different life-enhancing ways.

And Charlbury is proving to be leading the way – not only in terms of borrowing, but also as a great example of can-do community spirit and engagement.

Latest figures show membership levels in the town’s new facility went up by 20 per cent in 2017-18* while more than 4,000 extra books were issued in the year up to April, bucking a national trend of a decline in borrowing.

Julie Ward, Library Manager, runs the facility with assistant Ceri Osborne, and in conjunction with a band of 24 trusted community volunteers recruited by the Friends of Charlbury Library.

Together they keep the shelves organised, process and shelve stock, assist customers and keep the library smoothly running when paid staff are not present.

Julie said: “I’m really enjoying looking after this library and feeling part of the community. The fact that this library is under the same roof as a well-equipped sports hall, meeting room and great café means that this space is always lively and there’s always a good reason for customers to visit.”

The library with its new stock and spacious layout – more than double the size of the town’s previous facility - is an integral part of the new community centre at The Spendlove Centre, Enstone Road, a building with an amazing sports facility, dance studio, café and meeting spaces – all run by the charitable Thomas Gifford Trust.

Plans for a combined building had been over 20 years in the making. Now its visitors can keep well-read, refreshed and fit – all under one roof.

At the centre of the community

 Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, Lorraine Lindsay Gale, said: “Charlbury is a fantastic library and a great model for the future of our network in Oxfordshire. Libraries are so much more than books these day. It is our policy to see that they are at the centre of their communities and it’s great that people are finding them so much more accessible and that borrowing and library members are on an upward trend.

“Charlbury shows can-do community spirit and engagement. We are now working to deliver a similar facility at Barton and will be part of the new development at Botley. We are keen to take opportunities to co-locate with other services such as the new Sports Centre at Neithrop in Banbury. These are great examples of the direction we want our library service to go.”

Sue Terry, a trustee of the Thomas Gifford who has with responsibility for the library, said: It was very sad to leave our much-loved library but the new, larger and open plan space has been a great success, allowing young families, those with restricted mobility, teenagers and busy working adults to all access the library when they want to.

“The ‘cross fertilisation’ between all users of the community centre has been particularly exciting. The library feels vibrant and busy, a real asset to the community.

Jill Judson, Chair of The Friends of Charlbury Library, which contributed funds raised previously in a campaign to save Charlbury’s old library from potential closure, continues to assist in organising events and as a volunteer on the monthly rota organised by Rosalind Scott, the Secretary of the Friends group.

Jill said: "To have gone from the threat of closure to the establishment of an exciting modern space for our library is a testament to the community’s determination to maintain and develop its facilities for the benefit of all. Particular thanks go to the Thomas Gifford Trust for championing the development of a new library within the community centre, and to all our volunteers for keeping the library open.’’

Planning your visit

The library is open seven days a week and staffed on Mondays (9.30am-noon and 2-5pm), Wednesdays (2-5pm and 5.30-7pm), Fridays (9.30am-noon and 2-5pm) and Saturday mornings (9.30am to noon). But there is a self-service machine allowing customers to borrow, return or renew items even when there are no staff present.

A Home Library Service is also thriving at Charlbury with four volunteers who select and deliver books to infirm or housebound customers – so, if you are eligible, there’s never a reason not to keep up with favourite authors and good reads.

Visitors can also have free use of wi-fi and can access three People’s Network computers for research, study, or just catching up on emails. There’s also printing and photocopying facilities.

The library and community centre has also proved to be a valuable resource for families with an attractive and accessible children’s reading area with bean bags and comfy seating for adults. In the library, parents and carers can find weekly rhyme time sessions run by local volunteers.

While in the community centre there is :

• Well-Baby Clinic,

• Bump-to-One Group, Stay & Play,

• Toddler Gym,

• After-school clubs on Thursdays and

• Youth Club on Friday evenings.

And for grown-ups there’s a host of sporting and social activities - from walking football, netball, badminton and volleyball to pilates, boxercise, yoga, quiz, comedy and film nights. ( Visit www.charlburycommunitycentre.org.uk/events/ for the latest)

Useful info

Home Library Service: The Home Library Service is offered in partnership with Age UK to people who are unable to visit the library themselves through frailty, infirmity or a disability and have no other means of getting access to reading materials. Full-time carers and those who might need the service on a short-term basis following debilitating illness or hospitalisation can apply too. To register or for further information call 01865 810259 or email homelibraryservice@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Charlbury Library: Find it at: Charlbury Community Centre, The Spendlove Centre, Enstone Road, Charlbury, OX7 3PQ

Tel: 01608 811104 (nearest car park is in Enstone Road - three minutes away)

24-hours renewal: 0845 1202811 - PIN required

charlbury.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Friends of Charlbury Library: Charlbury Library is supported by the Friends of Charlbury Library. In addition to raising the profile of the library, the Friends provide volunteer support, and would like to hear from anyone who is interested in volunteering. For more information on the Friends group or becoming a volunteer, please ask at the library.

I will miss him greatly as a friend and colleague. On behalf of everyone at Oxfordshire County Council who knew and worked with him, I send his family our deepest condolences.

I worked closely with Rodney for many years. He was a tireless and dedicated local councillor representing Charlbury and Wychwood. As a long-serving member of the Cabinet, he had wide-ranging responsibilities for council services.

He was a tireless champion of Oxfordshire’s fire and rescue service. He represented the county council on several major projects that will benefit Oxfordshire, including the east-west rail scheme and the planned flood alleviation scheme around west Oxford. These will be his legacy as a public servant.

The council is continuing to award grants for local groups to deliver universal services for 0-5 year-olds, such as ‘stay-and-play’, with a total of 32 now having benefitted from its Transition Fund.

Schemes proposed at the Happy Hub, Cholsey (£3,381); Sutton Courtenay Stay and Play Group (£939); and the Thomas Gifford Trust, Charlbury (£10,769) are the latest to be awarded funding, following the council’s Cabinet meeting last week (Tuesday 23 Jan).

More than £180,000 still remains to be awarded from the initial £1m funding pot, and to broaden the scope of the scheme, applications can also now be made by groups based at locations other than former children’s centres.

Sustainable solutions

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities Mark Gray said: “We now have community-run children’s services being put in place at locations right across the county, and these innovative and sustainable schemes continue to come forward.

“This clearly shows the huge strength of our local communities and their desire to ensure highly valued open access services can continue. In many cases what parents are seeing when they come into these centres is little different from when they were fully funded by the council, and that’s also testament to the commitment and hard work of local people.”

Traffic restrictions and road closures ahead of Remembrance Day parades and events this weekend.

11 November

Remembrance Day Witney
11 November 08-13:00
Church Green
Welch Way

Didcot Armistice Day Ceremony
11 November 10:55 - 11:05
B4493 High Street, Didcot

12 November

Abingdon
12 November 10:30 - 11:45
Ock Street

Chipping Norton
12 November 10:25-12:15
High Street

Burford
12 November 10:40 - 11:20
High Street

Carterton
12 November 10:15 - 11:30
Burford Road

Faringdon
12 November 09:00 - 12:30
Gloucester Street Gravel Walk

And11 November - Exhibition on A4095 Market Place

Marcham Remembrance Parade
12 November 10:30 - 12:30
New Road

Kennington
12 November 10:30 - 11:30
Kennington Road

Goring
12 November 10:50-11:15
Section of B471

Woodstock
10:00-12:30 Remembrance parade
Unknown road

Wantage
12 November 10:30 - 13:00
Market Place

Wallingford
12 November 10:00 - 12:00
St Martins Street

Benson Remembrance Parade
12 November 10:15 - 11:45

Remembrance Day - Chinnor
12 November 10:25 - 11:10

Henley Remembrance Sunday
12 November 10:15 - 12:00
Station Road

Charlbury
12:00-13:30
School Road

Didcot
12 November 10:20 - 11:30
Broadway

Harwell
12 November 10:20 - 11:30
B4493 Drewitts Corner

Grove
12 November 09:35 - 09:45
Main street

Godstow
12 November 10:20-11:45
Godstow road

Oxford: St Giles Remembrance Sunday Parade
12 November 07:00-14:00
St Giles

Thame
12 November 13:00
High Street

Have we missed any? Let us know in the comments.

The library was officially opened by former Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday (9 September) as part of the new Charlbury Community Centre, which also boasts a sports hall, multi-use studio and café. It means visitors can keep fit, refreshed and well-read - all under one roof.

The project, made possible through partnership with the Thomas Gifford Trust and the Friends of Charlbury Library, is part of the council's commitment to investing in the future of libraries and putting them right at the heart of their communities.

Integrating facilities

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: “We’re delighted to be a part of this fantastic new community centre. Right across our countywide network of 43 libraries we’re continuing to look at ways of improving services in a way that suits the needs of the different communities they serve. At Charlbury we saw a great opportunity to integrate our facilities with other local services and amenities, and to bring the library closer to many more people as a result.

Cllr Lindsay-Gale, pictured left with Mr Cameron, added: “Being part of a staffed community building also means customers can use the self-service facility to borrow and return at times when the library itself is not staffed. It also extends access to a wide range of council services online via our public computers and free wifi.”

Community space

Opening the Community Centre on Saturday, Mr Cameron said: “This project demonstrates what I love about our community and why I am so proud to call it home. It’s a fantastic facility made possible by all those who have volunteered their time and energy – as well as generosity – to provide our community with a space that everyone will benefit from.

“I’m so glad to be here and share this moment with you all. I look forward to seeing what the people of Charlbury can achieve next!”

Key features of new library at Charlbury:

• More than double the space of old library – allowing visitors to browse and choose books in greater comfort
• Three public access computers
• Free wi fi
• Parking nearby (including disable parking spaces)
• More books in stock – new titles have been added and more to follow
• Integration with other local facilities – sharing the building with an amazing sports facility, dance studio and café.
• Customers can borrow, return and check their account details outside of staffed hours via the self-service facility.

The library replaces the previous facility at The Corner House, Charlbury.

Staffed opening hours are:

Monday 9.30am – 12pm & 2pm – 5pm

Tuesday – Unstaffed

Wednesday 2pm – 5pm & 5.30pm – 7pm

Thursday – Unstaffed

Friday – 9.30am – 12pm & 2pm – 5pm

Saturday – 9.30 – 12pm

Sunday - Unstaffed

Self-service facilities:

Available from 9am – 6pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 5pm on Saturday & Sunday.

In total there are around 200 voluntary sector daytime support providers for older people and people with disabilities in Oxfordshire. In excess of 150 of these operate without any financial support from the county council. More than 40 currently receive funding that covers some or all of their costs.

The council wants to support as many of these services as possible to continue, but recognises this is a decision for those organisations. The vast majority have applied for transition funding from the £300,000 budget set aside by council in February. Only six have not bid for funding, two of them because they decided they are ready to continue without support from the council.

All but one were assessed by the cross-party panel as meeting the criteria to receive funding, and a final decision will be taken by the county council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Judith Heathcoat, on April 19.

The transition funding will support these voluntary sector providers from September to March, as they action their plans to become more self-sustaining. Later in 2017 they will once again be able to bid for £250,000 of transitional funding in 2018/19, as well as funding from two further grants pots – a Sustainability Fund and an Innovation Fund.

Which services are proposed for transition funding

Age UK run day centres are proposed for a combined £98,000 of funding:

• Bluebells, Henley

• Burford Lunch Club

• Kidlington Area Day Centre

• Kingsmoor Day Centre, Hinton Waldrist

• Oakwood Centre, Faringdon

• Share Care Day Centre, Holton

• St Francis Court, Headington/Anchor Court, Oxford – two services which are merging.

Daybreak Oxford run day centres are proposed for a combined £50,000 of funding:

• The Lilacs, Kidlington

• The Limes, Oxford

• Rosewood, Oxford

Other providers:

• Berinsfield Voluntary Day Centre £10,106

• Bromsgrove Day Centre, Faringdon £6,800

• Carterton Day Centre £9,500

• Chalgrove Day Centre £8,000

• Charlbury Day Centre £3,742

• Chinnor Day Centre £8,000

• Cluster Care Group, Banbury £4,500

• Eynsham Day Centre £2,625

• Goring and District Community Centre Lunch Club £2,900

• Grove Day Centre for the Elderly £7,000

• Hanborough and District Day Centre £6,378

• Highlands Day Centre, Chipping Norton £5,000

• Hook Norton Day Centre, £2,625

• The October Club, Wantage £14,000

• Chinese Community Day Centre, Oxford £7978

• Happy Place Day Centre, Oxford £3,300

• Cornhill, Banbury £2,625

• West Way Day Centre, Botley £5,466

• St Mary’s Thursday Club, Bloxham £4,786

• Stonesfield Lunch Club £2,906

• Thame and District Day Centre £12,500

• The Thursday Social Club, Watlington £2,500

• Watlington and District Age Concern Drop In £1,500

• Windmill Thursday Club/Deddington Day Centre £5,000

• Wychwoods Day Centre £3,390

• Volunteer Link Up £14,625

The services who have decided they do not need to bid to continue to operate

• Bampton Bush Day Centre

• Fielding Lunch Club, Sibford Gower

The services who have not made a bid

• Leonard Cheshire Disability (open access self-help group)

• Leonard Cheshire Disability (Tryard Disability Group)

• Order of St John, Lake House, Adderbury

• The Alzheimers Society, Abingdon service

Cholsey Day Centre does not quality for funding as it has reserves of £340,000.

The information provided in the application for Marston Court, provided by Order of St John Care Trust, was not sufficient to evaluate the bid. Further information has been requested.

How will the council’s own service be configured?

• The county council is continuing to provide a core service for people who are eligible for social care support, which makes sure they have the care and support they need. This is planned to be a countywide service with an annual budget of £4.5m and a wide range of flexible, costed support options. The council will replace its current Health and Wellbeing Centres and Learning Disability Daytime Support services (22 building-based services) with eight new bases at the Abbey Centre, Abingdon; Redlands in Banbury; Bicester Health and Wellbeing Centre; The Meadows in Didcot; Oxford Options; High Street, Wallingford; Witney Resource Centre and the Charlton Centre in Wantage.

• These bases will run from October and would be subject to ongoing review in terms of locations. People with different needs will be supported in the same buildings but there would be a range of different spaces and facilities to meet different needs and interests.

• The plans include transport to and from services for everybody who is eligible for it or who chooses to purchase it.

• The council-funded Dementia Support Service provides support to people with dementia and their families across Oxfordshire through Dementia Advisors. It provides face-to-face support to an average of 120 people per week. This service will continue to be funded.

• The council-funded Wellbeing and Employment Service, “OxForward” provides support to people over the age of 18 with learning disabilities, autism and physical disabilities. It supports 700 people each year providing opportunities such as moving in to and maintaining volunteering roles and employment. This will continue with its existing budget.

• The council will continue to work with the Age UK provided Community Information Network service. The Community Information Network is working with people affected by the changes, to help manage a personalised transition from current daytime support services for those people who do not have eligible needs/ who choose not to use the new service.

• In addition the council will be permanently investing £25,000 a year in training for services around dementia and autism and £100,000 a year in enabling people to make choices about the use of their personal budgets.