Remembrance Sunday was marked on Sunday as planned by our small group of three who laid the wreaths at the War Memorial and read the Act of Remembrance and the Kohima Epitaph.  It was good to see the villagers who stood at their doors or gateways and joined in the two-minute silence with us.  It leant an air of normality to the proceedings and added solemnity to the occasion.  

We hope that next year we will be able to be back to normal.

Thursday, Armistice Day is also the day of the funeral of Revd Dr Derek Turner.  Please remember him and Revd Maureen on the day and in your prayers.

If you have not seen it elsewhere, you may be interested in this link that was sent to me by a friend in the Arts Society Upper Thames, which tells the story of the burial of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey, commissioned by Westminster Council and including the Military Wives Choirs singing 'Abide with Me'.

https://westminster.gov.uk/unknownwarrior100

Keep safe, everybody.

After much consultation it has been decided that because of the latest Covid-19 situation we should not hold our usual Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial this year. However, we feel it is only right that we mark the occasion in some way albeit in a much more simplified way.
 
In order to lay the usual wreaths on Sunday, Richard May on behalf of the Parish Council and Pam Smith on behalf of the WI, will carry the wreaths to the War Memorial, leaving the cross roads at 10.50 and keeping two metres apart down the road.
 
At the War Memorial, the words of Remembrance will be said and the wreaths will be laid. This will then be followed by the two minute silence at 11 o’clock.
 
The words of the Kohima Epitaph will end the ceremony. We will then return up the village.

We would ask you not to attend the ceremony so that the Government guidelines can be observed, as otherwise we would have to prepare risk assessments, etc.

Those along the route are welcome to observe from their doorsteps.
 
Anyone who wishes to lay a personal wreath or cross is, of course, welcome to do so but are asked to wait until the road is clear (about 11.10).
 
Thank you
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Dear Councillor’s - in advance of the official government announcement this afternoon, we are writing to inform you that Oxford City will be moving to the ‘high’ level of the COVID alert system from Saturday 31 October. 

The rest of the county will remain at ‘medium’ (tier 1) level at the present time. 

The national three-tier system, which was recently introduced in England, classifies areas as medium (tier 1), high (tier 2) or very high (tier 3), based on their numbers of infection and overall risk level. 

What will change?

The move from tier 1 to tier 2 will result in the introduction of a number of additional restrictions in the city of Oxford. Overall, it means that Oxford residents will not be permitted to socialise with anybody outside of their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. You can read more on the government’s website about what ‘high’ restrictions will entail.

Why is Oxford moving? 

Oxford city will move into tier 2 as a preventative measure to stem the transmission rate and protect our most vulnerable residents. 

Over the past three weeks, we have not only seen a continued rise in cases in the city, but increasing evidence of the spread of the virus, beyond people in their teens and twenties, to older and potentially more vulnerable age groups. Hospital admissions have begun to increase as a result.  

We know that transmission of the virus takes place largely as a result of inter-household mixing. By moving Oxford into tier 2, which prevents households from mixing in indoor settings, we are taking preventative measures to stop the situation from escalating further. This is particularly important with events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali approaching, when many households will be planning to come together to socialise. 

Keeping all our residents safe

The central government decision to move Oxford into tier 2 follows intensive discussions between local authority partners, MPs, central government and Public Health England. All partners across the Oxfordshire system had strongly advocated for the county as a whole to move to tier 2 on account of rising cases across all districts combined with the spread of the virus beyond people in their teens and twenties to older and potentially more vulnerable age groups.

We are disappointed that, despite clear evidence showing the virus is now spreading rapidly across the county, the decision was taken to move just Oxford into tier 2 at the present time. However, we will continue to push for the rest of the county to move as soon as possible.

We realise that having Oxford in a different tier to the rest of the county adds complexity. To help with this, we are publishing a comprehensive set of Q&As about the new restrictions on our website at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/highalertlevel. These set out the rules residents need to follow in high alert areas and provide advice for those who regularly travel between areas in different tiers, for example to go to work or school.

We will be working with partners across the Oxfordshire system to issue extended communications informing residents about the new alert level and urging people to adhere to the new restrictions. We would be very grateful for your support in promoting these messages to your constituents and urging all residents across the county to continue to follow prevention measures, including keeping your distance, washing your hands frequently, and using a face covering.  

Kind regards, 

Yvonne Rees                and               Ansaf Azhar
Chief Executive                            Director of Public Health
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Read here

People in Oxfordshire are being advised to be extra vigilant, particularly over half-term, as cases of coronavirus continue to spread across the county.

Evidence shows that, in the past two weeks, the virus has spread to a much wider age range across the county and is no longer confined to younger people in urban areas. Hospital admissions have begun to increase as a result.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health Ansaf Azhar said: “Across all areas of the county, we are starting to see a significant shift in the spread of the virus beyond people in their teens and 20s to older and more vulnerable age groups. This is a really concerning development. We know that, once the virus starts to spread to more vulnerable groups, then hospital cases will rise and deaths will inevitably follow.

“We have seen what’s been happening across the north of England and how the virus has quickly taken hold across huge swathes of the community. Based on the current trajectory of the virus, we could well find ourselves in a similar position in just a few weeks’ time if we do not take collective action now.”

“With half-term approaching, as well as events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali coming up, it’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of meeting up and celebrating with friends and family. But we mustn’t forget about COVID. We need to do everything we can to keep our families and communities safe and stop the spread.

“I know the temptation will be to meet up and socialise over half-term. However, the virus thrives when people are in close contact with one another. So I would strongly urge everyone to limit their social interactions and focus instead on the many COVID-secure family activities that are taking place over half-term.”

Oxfordshire is currently at the ‘medium’ or tier 1 level in the COVID-19 alert system. This is the national three-tier system, which classifies areas as medium, high or very high based on their numbers of infection and overall risk level.

Discussions have taken place this week with central Government about whether all areas of Oxfordshire should move to the ‘high’ alert level, given concerns over the spread of the virus to age groups beyond people in their teens and 20s to potentially more vulnerable groups.

The decision has been taken not to move the county to a high alert level at this stage. However, the situation is being monitored extremely closely and Oxfordshire’s Director of Public Health and Council Leaders are pushing for a move to happen as soon as possible.

Moving to a high alert level would mean that residents could not socialise with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.

Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Ian Hudspeth said: “In light of the escalating situation across the county, we are pushing hard for Oxfordshire to be moved to a high alert level. This would be a preventative measure to stem the spread of the virus and protect the county’s most vulnerable residents.

“We are aware that some businesses, particularly the hospitality sector, would be affected if we moved to a high alert level, and we welcome the announcement from Government today that additional support will be available.

“However, we must do everything we can to keep residents across the county safe. We know that the majority of transmissions occur when different households mix, so increasing our alert level to high, which prevents households from mixing socially in indoor settings, is one of the best ways we can help our residents at this critical time.”

Dear Members
I am writing to inform you about rising cases of COVID-19 in Oxford.

In the 7 days up to 25 September, there were 67 confirmed cases in Oxford, up from 33 in the previous week.

This means that the weekly rate for Oxford currently stands at 43.9 cases per 100,000 population and is at its highest level since May. The city is currently at amber alert status, but is edging closer to a red alert level.

The increase is predominantly among young people in the 18-24 age bracket. The rise is being seen across the city and is not focused on one particular area.

The fact that cases have doubled within the space of a week is a matter of considerable concern.  If cases continue to rise at this rate, then it is highly likely that we will need to introduce local control measures.  However, this needs to be put into context with the worsening national picture where England average is above the City at 55 cases per 100,000.  Therefore the increase is in line with the national picture.

We will be working with our Oxfordshire system partners to issue increased and targeted communications to help contain the situation and reduce the rate of infection. We would like to ask for your assistance to urge residents, particularly those in younger age groups, to continue to follow preventative measures.

We will start public communications this afternoon (30 September), and would very much appreciate your assistance in reinforcing these public messages from then. We are urging people to follow these six simple steps to keep themselves, their family and community safe:

• Keep your distance
• Stick to the rule of six
  
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
• Wear a face covering
  
• Symptoms? Self-isolate and get tested
• Download the NHS COVID-19 app
  

Further information is available at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/stopthespread. The website includes a weekly update of confirmed cases in Oxfordshire, broken down by district.
Kind regards,
 
Ansaf Azhar
Corporate Director of Public Health
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Download here if you need it.

This application went to planning committee on the 19th of August and was refused by a unanimous decision. It was refused on the grounds of insufficient affordable housing and reduced s106 for infrastructure for Faringdon, Gt Coxwell and Health Centre, the committee report and the decision notice can be found using the link. Great Coxwell Parish Council and Faringdon Town Council worked together to produce a 3 minute speech which Mayor Mike Wise {Faringdon} delivered at the planning committee meeting on behalf of both Parishes.

Just to let you know that the current work on the Golf Course is in line with planning permissions.

Richard May
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The report for June \ July 2020 can be found on the Parish Council page, here.

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