Thursday 18 July 2024
Our usual round-up of local news includes a drop-off, a circus, coffee, vegetation, an exhibition and guiding – plus a new name for a new community bus and a look at a proposed funding claw-back from a local school. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include Downs School Summer Fete. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• Someone else’s silver
In This week with Brian (18 July) we take a look at a rather unexpected problem that’s facing about a dozen schools in the district, The Downs in Compton being one.
The issue is that local education authorities (LEAs) can in certain circumstances claw back money from schools where it’s felt they have too much in the bank. Some of this money will have been from government funding and in this case it isn’t completely the school’s. Other sums, however, will have come from grants or donations that the school has obtained or from fundraising activities organised by the school or its PTA.
There seems to have some confusion at West Berkshire Council as to whether all of these sums, or just the government funding, can be clawed back. So far it appears to have concluded that anything in the general account is fair game, with the result that The Downs has been asked to hand over the best part of half a million pounds.
A look at the governing documents does not, however, appear to support this point of view. Olivia Bailey, the newly elected MP for Compton, also feels that something has slipped anchor here and I understand that she will be talking to the DfE about this. Selling off your own family silver is one thing: this seems to amount to selling off someone else’s.
As the article explains, there are also a number of other aspects of the claw-back that seem questionable. The impetus for this has been the alarming sinkhole that’s opened up in WBC’s accounts, particularly regarding SEN provision. This claw-back, if fully realised (which now seems unlikely) would, however, only fill about a third of this.
I understand that The Downs School is robustly defending its position and a further announcement is expected to be made at the school Fete on 19 July. The school has been raising money for several projects: ironically, some of these are ones which WBC has said that has been unable to support.
• Jam Buster
Well done to all the 470 school children who entered a competition run by West Berkshire Council to give a name to the West Berkshire Community Connect bus service which was launched earlier this year connecting Newbury with the Northwest Downlands area. The winner – Jam Buster – was the brainchild of Chloe from The Willows Primary School. You can read more in this statement from West Berkshire Council.
Other news
• The Downland Practice is keen to remind residents that there are two drop off points for the West Berkshire Foodbank at their surgeries in Chieveley and Compton. The foodbank has sadly experienced a drop in donations in recent months which has made it extremely difficult to ensure they can provide the support to those in crisis in the area. Even if you could add just one item to your shopping list each week, it would make a huge difference.
• Thames Valley Police are calling all parents and carers to join their free online session on Wednesday 24 July at 6.30 pm. Delivered by The Ben Kinsella Trust, the leading national anti-knife crime and violence education charity, learn how to keep young people safe from crime & violence. Click here to enrol.
• Keep an eye out for 50/50 Coffee in Compton in the coming days. This week entrepreneur Jack will be popping up in the car park of the Wilkins Centre from 8.30 am onwards, weather permitting and 50% of the profits go to charity. If you’d like to get in touch with Jack email him at 5050coffee001@gmail.com.
• Friends of Compton Primary School are excited to announce the return of Happy’s Circus which was a sell-out show last year. Tickets are available now for Saturday 21 September at Compton recreation ground here.
• Compton Parish Council reminds residents that the responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of rights of way falls under the jurisdiction of the District Council, not the Parish Council. Therefore, if you notice any issues such as overgrown vegetation, potholes, or any other maintenance concerns along the right of way, please report these directly to West Berkshire District Council here.
• Everyone Active would love to hear your thoughts, opinions and development ideas for the local leisure centres it runs. Please have your say by completing this brief survey and select the leisure centre you use.
• The Downs School reminds rising Year 7 Parents that from Mon 22 July to Friday 27 July, there will be a 10% discount on uniform at the official uniform provider at their shop in Newbury. This is a in-store discount only. Parkway Shopping Newbury. Skoolkit also offer free delivery 13-20th July online only.
• Quick reminder about West Berkshire Museum’s Focus on Compton Exhibition from 2 October 2024 to 5 October 2025. If you have any interesting items which represent Compton’s history that you would like to loan for the exhibition, please contact Museum Curator Janine Fox on janine.fox1@westberks.gov.uk or 01635 519532 / 07787 828189.
• The Downs School Summer Fete will be on Friday 19 July from 4pm to 6.30pm in the school grounds. There will be two giant inflatable assault courses, many local craft and food stalls, barbecue and drinks tent. Beedon & Compton Primary School will also have their own fun stalls. If you wish to join as a stallholder please use this request form here.
• Keep an eye out for some lovely rocks that the 1st Compton Squirrels have painted and hidden about the village. Let them know if you find any on their facebook page.
• 1st Compton Guides part of Girlguiding West Berkshire needs your help. They are looking for new volunteers to join their enthusiastic leadership team. If you are interested in finding out more, please drop in to a taster session after half term. For more details click here.
• If you know someone who finds it difficult to visit the library, through age, disability or other special circumstances, they may be able to come to you. Contact West Berks Libraries’ ‘At Home’ service by phoning 01635 519827 or email library@westberks.gov.uk
• Would you like to help inspire the future workforce? Education Business Partnership helps prepare our local young people for the world of work, and to do this EBP relies on the support of local businesses and professionals. If you would like to volunteer your expertise please see here for more details.
• The Rural Business Grant Scheme funds micro and small businesses located in rural areas across West Berkshire to help facilitate growth, diversify, and support the rural economy. See details here and how to apply.
• For road closures and other news visit Hampstead Norreys Parish Council‘s facebook page.
• Have your say
Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:
Draft Parking Review of Off-Street Parking Places Amendment 13 (REF0013IM) – deadline 2 August 2024.
Draft Nuisance Policy 2024-2027 – deadline 19 August 2024.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer User Voice Survey – deadline 1 September 2024.
Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.
• Latest local newsletters
Community notices
• Have your say on current consulations by West Berkshire Council. Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.
• Drop-in café at St Mary & St Nicholas, Compton on the last Wednesday afternoon of the month at Compton Village Hall. Refreshments and friendly chit-chat. Open to anyone.
• Downland Volunteer Group has a new electric HandeBus. For those wishing to use the HandeBus or volunteer to help the DVG’s work, contact 07713 813 523; dvg.handebus@btinternet.com; or at www.downlandvolgroup.org. More information can also be found here.
• U6, U7 and U16 footballers are welcome at FC Cougars. Please contact graham on graham@fccougars.com.
• Compton Parish Council is keen to remind residents to please take rubbish home with them if litter bins are full.
• Compton Karate based at Aldworth Village Hall is a small and friendly dojo that welcomes new members.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice. There is no shame if you do get caught out by scammers (Penny has) and you must seek help and warn others.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 19 Jul Summer Fete The Downs School
• Sat 21 Sep Happy’s Circus Compton Recreation Ground
• Regular events and groups
• Stay, Play and Learn at Compton Village Hall on Thursday mornings during term for children 0-4 years to socialise with others, exploring a variety of play activities and crafts. Book online with West Berkshire Council here.
• The Handybus service to Wantage picks up Chaddleworth and Leckhamstead residents from their homes on the second and fourth Tuesday morning. The round trip will cost £4. See here for more details and how to book.
• Marcham Cricket Club welcomes new cricket players and officials.
• Tea and a Chat on Mondays from 9.30am to 11am at the Wilkins Centre in Compton: all welcome.
• Downland Practice – Social Prescribing reminds patients that Hillier’s Garden Centre is delighted to be able to host the Ladies Breakfast Club on the second Wednesday of every month.
• Wellbeing and mental health free one hour introduction session with Recovery in Mind and The Downland Practice. Please contact pm.downland@nhs.net to book your place.
• Drop Off/Drop In Coffee Morning every Wednesday during term time at Brightwalton Church from 8.45 to 10am.
• Free coffee and cake morning at The Wilkins Centre in Compton from 9.30 am to 11 am every Monday.
• Aldworth Saturday Market at Aldworth Village Hall, RG8 9SE from 10.30am to midday sells fresh fruit and vegetables, groceries, stamps and cards; tea and coffee. Contact Kathy on 01635 578090 or e-mail kathyneville@outlook.com
• The Gents Breakfast Club created by The Downland Practice – Social Prescribing is proving popular. If you would like more information please contact nicky.ager@nhs.net.
• Compton Tots on the first and third Thursday of every month at Compton Village Hall from 9.30am to 11am. Providing a safe, fun and educational space, in partnership will Compton Pre-school for 0-5 years and costs £2 per family (cash only).
• Quiz night at The Crown and Horns in East Ilsley every Thursday from 7pm with prizes to be won. You can reserve a table by calling 01635 281545 and see more information here.
• Brickleton Babes Baby and Toddler Group in Brightwalton Village Hall. Join their facebook group for details.
• Autumn Group regular meetings include the Hobbies Club at the Wilkins Centre, Compton. Visit their facebook page for details. Anyone from surrounding villages very welcome.
• Aldworth Art/Painting Group at the Aldworth Village Hall on first and third Tuesday of every month from 9.30am to noon. Details on the East Ilsley Communicator (issue 105, p 21) here.
• Aldworth Craft Group meet at Aldworth Village Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month (within the school term time) from 10am to noon. More details in the East Ilsley Communicator (issue 105, p 16), which you can download here.
• Hampstead Norreys Village Hall club and event information is on Hampstead Norreys Community website.
• Ilsley Under Fives meet every Wednesday between 10am to 11.30am at various locations throughout the Ilsley villages. Please join their Facebook group or see details here.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others. If the link is scored through this may be because draft minutes have been replaced by approved ones and the drafts file deleted. If so, please follow the links provided to the council’s website.
• The most recent meeting of Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 3 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; the phone box; speeding; repairs and maintenance; and financial matters.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see minutes from past meetings please click here. Please click here for details of the planning applications currently active in the parish
• The most recent meeting of Aldworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 1 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: The Village Green; the 2024-25 budget; parking at Bell Lane; two councillor vacancies; financial matters; and mobile phone coverage.
To see the dates, agendas and mintues for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of East Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 25 June and you can download the minutes here. items covered included: comments about Manor Oaks Homes’ presentation before the previous meeting; transparency questions; financial matters; planning matters; the playground; repairs and maintenance; parking on Church Green; a councillor co-option; speeding; and the Clerk’s report.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Compton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 3 June and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes click here. Please click here for the latest on Compton’s neighbourhood development plan (which has now been ratified).
• The most recent meeting of Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available took place on 23 May and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 20 May and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
.• The most recent meeting of West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 14 May and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees) please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 13 May and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Chaddleworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 7 May and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Peasemore Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 27 March and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Compton & Downlands area council contacts
Parishes: Hampstead Norreys Parish Council, Compton Parish Council, Ashampstead Parish Council, Beedon Parish Council, Chaddleworth Parish Council, Brightwalton Parish Council, Peasemore Parish Council, Aldworth Parish Council, West Ilsley Parish Council and East Ilsley Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
• Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
• News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
