Lifestyle

New Animal Welfare Registration Laws

Businesses alerted to new animal welfare registration laws

New welfare laws will mean that more people who run animal businesses will have to register with their local council.

Dog day boarders, keepers of exhibition animals and some dog breeders must contact West Oxfordshire District Council ahead of Government legislation which will become law in just a few months’ time.

On 1 October, these groups will be covered by the ‘The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018’ and anyone who does not register could be guilty of an offence.

Businesses looking after dogs away from their homes during the day will need a licence.

People who keep exhibition animals in the course of their business for educational or entertainment purposes will also need to register – this includes businesses such as falconry displays, dove releases, animal encounter experiences, or pat-a-pony days.

Additionally, dog breeders who breed three or more litters of puppies in any 12-month period and/or breed dogs and advertise a business selling dogs must register.

Cllr Norman MacRae, Cabinet Member responsible for Licensing at West Oxfordshire District Council said, “I am sure that most animal business operators would agree that tougher laws around animal welfare are to be welcomed. We ask that businesses contact us as soon as possible so that they are registered before the new law comes in place on 1 October.”

Please call 01993 861000 or email ers.licensing@publicagroup.uk”

The full guidance on the new regulations is due in September, and uptake is expected to be high.

The legislation details can be viewed in full here.

 

Why animal licensing is important

Licensing is important because it provides a platform for regulation of animal businesses, ensuring that they adhere to good practice in animal welfare.

The lives of tens of thousands of animals are covered by this, from a bearded dragon sold in a pet shop to a dog sold over the internet. How these animals are cared for by a pet shop worker or puppy dealer determines if their business gets the go-ahead to operate.

 

Why the current licensing system is being reviewed

There are many laws surrounding licensing, all of which are over a decade old. These outdated pieces of legislation haven’t adapted to the changing types of animal-related businesses, and to new standards of good practice in animal welfare.

 

August 6, 2018 in Lifestyle

REMINDER – Information Session on Housing Development next to School

REMINDER

Development of 44 Houses on Milton Road Information Session

Deanfield Homes Ltd has acquired the site for 44 houses with outline planning permission, which was granted in December 2017. It hopes to start building in October once the various conditions attaching to the planning permission have been fulfilled.

They have agreed to offer an information session for interested members of the village. This will take place on Tuesday 17th July between 4pm and 8pm in the Committee Room of the New Beaconsfield Hall. It will be on a drop- in basis and members of Deanfield staff will be on hand to talk informally about their plans.

Deanfield Homes was formed in 2016 and examples of their recent projects in Tackley and Ducklington can be found on their website.

Whilst this is not a formal consultation session as planning permission has already been granted, the general building plan has evolved over time and this will be an opportunity for local residents to leave their comments.

Your Parish Council would welcome your views following your visit on 17th July. Details of how to do this can be found at the session.

July 17, 2018 in Community, Lifestyle

Oxford Rail Upgrade work starts on Saturday and runs until 22 July

The Oxford Upgrade work to remodel the track and reduce congestion and delays around Oxford starts this Saturday 7 July.  It is an extensive piece of work and will mean line closures and diversions through to Sunday 22 July.  There will then be a further weekend line closure on 28 and 29 July.

More details including diversionary routes, bus times and alternative car park arrangements are on our dedicated Oxford upgrade web page https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/planned-engineering/oxford2018

We have used social and traditional media, on board and at station messages, staff at stations and on trains to alert customers, and we will have extra staff on hand to help throughout the line closure.

 

July 6, 2018 in Community, Lifestyle

Tourism Roadshow, Burford

Tourism Roadshow, Burford, 28th June 10am
Have your say, ask your questions!
The Destinations Marketing Organisation (the ‘new’ WODC ‘umbrella’ for tourism), are holding a Tourism Roadshow at The Bay Tree tomorrow between 10am and 3pm.  This is a chance for anyone affected by or interested in Tourism in the area, to have a chat with the central body for the entire area.  Please do pop along if there is anything you would like to discuss.
A quick note regarding Business Rates as we know these are an ongoing struggle for many of you….there is currently a second year of rate relief available for many businesses for the year 2018/19 – this should come off your bill automatically but please check www.westoxon.gov.uk/businessrates if you are unsure
Copyright © 2018 Burford Chamber of Trade, All rights reserved.
June 27, 2018 in Lifestyle

Anti-Burglary Advice from Thames Valley Police

Anti-Burglary Advice

Are you advertising more than just your holiday?

Don’t advertise that you are going on holiday on social media-wait until you are home to upload your snaps

Check your home insurance policy, some insurers may pay-out less or not at all if you have posted that your away on social media

Use a timer switch to make your house look occupied even when it isn’t

Ask someone you trust to keep an eye on your home while you are away

Don’t leave spare keys in obvious places such as under doormats or plant pots

June 25, 2018 in Lifestyle

Nine car trains for the North Cotswolds – Message from GWR

We promised to tell you when the first of our nine car Intercity Express Trains would go into service on the North Cotswolds.

I am delighted to report that yesterday we received two fully tested and approved nine car trains from Hitachi Rail Europe.  They have arrived earlier than expected and are not yet in the timetable, but we have not held back and they will therefore appear where needed tomorrow and for the rest of the week. So you might see one on your journeys this week.

We have also scheduled for the 1722 from Paddington to Hereford to be a nine car train on Monday (18 June).   I thought you would want to know.

Going forward I would like the 1722 to operate as a nine car train regularly and our timetable planning team are working on this.

June 18, 2018 in Community, Lifestyle

Open Gardens

Open Gardens

Two lovely contrasting gardens in Shipton-under-Wychwood will be open on Sunday 1st July between 2pm and 4.30pm.

Hunters Lodge in the High Street. OX7 6DG and The Nook, Station Road OX7 6BQ

Teas and cakes will be available at Hunters Lodge.

Parking available in the New Beaconsfield Hall in Station Road and limited parking in Mawles Lane opposite Hunters Lodge

Suggested donation £5 per person covers both gardens, children under 12 free.

Contact telephone: 0845 8056804
Website. http://www.wychwoodwildgarden.org.uk/news.html

June 11, 2018 in Community, Lifestyle

New Bus Service through Shipton

E:  info@woct.org.uk

W:  www.woct.org.uk

Facebook: @WOCTBus

 

New Bus Service for Crawley, Leafield and The Wychwoods to Witney and Chipping Norton

On Monday 12 February, 2018 at 07.45 a new bus service will start in Milton under Wychwood to Witney.  There will be 5 return services a day between The Wychwoods and Witney via Leafield and Crawley, 3 of which will extend to Chipping Norton and back.  The route within Witney will be via Range Road and Deer Park. This will be a Monday to Friday service.

This service is operated by West Oxfordshire Community Transport Limited: a community owned bus operator with a professional team of drivers and operations management.  West Oxfordshire Community Transport took over the operation of the Witney Town Service on 30th January 2017 and in the ensuing months has developed a reputation for reliability, punctuality and commitment to go above and beyond to ensure our passengers have the service they deserve and need.

It is thanks to the financial contributions from Oxfordshire County Council Communities Fund, the Parish Councils of Crawley, Leafield and Shipton under Wychwood that we have been able to buy a new bus to operate this service.

Everybody within the communities where we operate (and beyond) can support our services and be involved.

To find out more about the new service and how to become a member, contact Margaret Burden on:

T:  01608 646744      E: margaret.burden@woct.org.uk

 

Please click below for the timetable.

Bus timetable

 

January 25, 2018 in Community, Lifestyle