Category: Parish Council News Updates
Posts from the Parish Council
Hamstead Marshall Parish Meeting
HMPC Meeting changed to Tuesday 23rd September 2025 7.30 pm.
Tuesday 23rd September
Speed Sign at Chapel Corner
HMPC is trialing a speed sign at Chapel Corner, and hopes it will slow the traffic as the road narrows. The trial is for 4 weeks and we hope to see reduced speeds through the village.
HMPC Agenda for July 17 2025
HAMSTEAD MARSHALL PARISH COUNCIL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION
OF ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY
RETURN (EXEMPT AUTHORITY)
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Extraordinary Notice – Meeting of June 23rd 2025.
HAMSTEAD MARSHALL PARISH COUNCIL
NOTICE OF CONCLUSION OF ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31ST, 2025
REGULATION 2015 (SI2015/234)
In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary Meeting of Hamstead Marshall Parish Council will be held on Monday, June 23rd at 7:00pm at the village hall.
AGENDA
1. Welcome
2. Apologies
3.Chairperson and Parish Clerk to sign the Annual Governance and Accountability Return for the year ending March 31, 2025.
Signed on behalf of Hamstead Marshall Council
Anne Budd
Anne Budd, Chairperson
June 16th, 2025
Members of the Public and Press are welcome to attend
West Berkshire Council News Release
 04 June 2025 Five councils launch two-unitary proposal for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire and seek residents’ views on how local government could be improved Change is coming to local government across England, and five councils are working together to propose two strong and locally accountable unitary authorities for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. The government will replace the current two-tier system of local government, which consists of district and county councils, with new unitary authorities. It also wants smaller existing unitary councils, like West Berkshire, to reorganise so they cover areas of around 500,000 people. The government wishes for councils to work together on plans for how these new unitary councils will work. As a result, the majority of the Oxfordshire authorities have teamed up with West Berkshire to work together positively and constructively on a proposal that meets the government’s criteria and also provides an option for a better future for both Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. This proposal would deliver better services while retaining a close link to local communities. The proposal – which is one of three being put forward for the area – is for two new unitary councils with the working titles of Oxford and Shires Council and Ridgeway Council. It aims to create strong, financially stable councils that provide high-quality, cost-effective, and locally driven services. Oxford and Shires Council would comprise all of the existing district areas of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire. Ridgeway Council would be made up of the whole of West Berkshire Council’s area and all of the existing district areas of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. While the councils would be new, there would be strong continuity of services for residents, with the existing social care provision at West Berkshire Council and Oxfordshire County Council continuing as part of the new councils. This would ensure that those in need continue to receive their support without costly disaggregation of their services, which the government wants to avoid. Having two councils in Oxfordshire would mean the councils are large enough to meet the government’s size criteria and be financially viable, but small enough to be tailored to the needs of the individual areas they cover. The proposal will also focus on how the new councils can bring real economic benefits to the communities they serve, strengthening existing business partnerships and forging new ones in both urban and rural settings. The two-council model will also provide a suitable platform to address local priorities such as building the right homes in the right places, protecting the environment, improving roads and other infrastructure, and tackling issues like flooding and sewage pollution. The new unitary councils will be forward-looking, innovative and modern. They will have historical community connections at their heart and build on a strong sense of local identity that runs throughout the area. The councils will launch a comprehensive public engagement exercise from 4 June to 15 July to gather views that will help ensure the final proposals reflect the needs and aspirations of residents. Residents can share their thoughts by taking part in the online survey by visiting twocouncils.org They can also attend one of the engagement events held throughout Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. Details of these events are below. The councils will also start meeting with local stakeholders to let them feed into the proposal. Cllr David Hingley, Leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “As partner councils, we’re determined to seize this opportunity to shape the future of local government for the benefit of our communities. Our proposal for two new unitary councils will create authorities that are locally responsive and designed around what our places truly need. They will be answerable to their residents and underpinned by sound finances, positioning them to serve and empower future generations. “For Cherwell, this means building on our past successes and strong community relations to create a council that reflects local identities and priorities for the years ahead. To get this right, we want as many people in our district as possible to take part in this initial engagement exercise so they can influence our final proposals for the future of local government.” Cllr David Rouane, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “When change is happening, it’s important for everyone to have a voice, which is why we’re inviting everyone to get in touch and let us know what’s important to them – this will help us develop our proposal based on real people’s experiences. “We’ve led the way in South Oxfordshire at providing innovative, high-performing and cost-effective services and we feel strongly that we should put that experience towards creating new councils that that really work for their communities, are local enough to be accountable and remain financially stable” Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity – change is coming to the way councils work and so we can’t let it pass without doing everything we can to make sure those changes work for our communities. The two councils we’re proposing aim to build councils that deliver high-quality services that are based on the needs of local people. “We believe that means basing the councils on existing communities and a shared history and sense of identity while also being forward-thinking and innovative. Residents, businesses and organisations in the Vale now have a chance to let us know what’s most important so we can develop a proposal that works for them.” Cllr Jeff Brooks, Leader of West Berkshire Council, said: “It’s important that we deliver the best option for our residents and there is a compelling case to be made for joining with our neighbours to the north. Whilst we think the argument for a new Ridgeway Council is a strong one – a council which is big enough to cope but small enough to care. It’s important to us that we understand what our communities think and I hope residents will look at what we are proposing and have their say.” Cllr Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council,said, “We are clear that residents need to come first in any discussions around future options for local government. We want residents, businesses and other organisations to help us shape this proposal so it truly reflects our communities, both now and in the future. “This engagement will give people a direct route to influence this proposal and the shape of local government in future. We want to build on the obvious benefits of a two-unitary option to create something that is new, forward thinking and makes the most of this change in approach to deliver more for local people while protecting the services they currently value.” To find out more about the two-unitary proposal, visit www.twocouncils.org Details of the engagement events: DateVenueTime Friday 13 JuneCoffee Aroma. 15 Hight Street, Abingdon, OX14 5BB 1.30pm – 4.30pm Tuesday 17 JuneBerro Lounge, Orchard Shopping Centre, 44 Orchard Street, Didcot, OX11 7LG10.30am – 1.30pm Wednesday 18 JuneBeansheaf Community Centre, Charrington Road, Calcot, RG31 7AW11.30am – 2.30pm Thursday 19 JuneNewbury Library, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AU11am – 3pm Thursday 19 JuneSt Mary-le-More Church, Market Place, Wallingford, OX10 0EG1.30pm – 4.30pm Monday 23 JuneWar Memorial Hall, Market Street, Charlbury, OX7 3QW3pm – 7pm Monday 23 JuneExeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AB3pm – 7pm Tuesday 24 JuneBicester Methodist Church (main hall), Bell Lane, Bicester, OX26 6JQ3pm – 7pm Wednesday 25 JuneHungerford Library, 2 Church Street, Hungerford, RG17 0JG11am – 2pm Wednesday 25 JuneThe Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BX1pm – 4pm Friday 27 JuneOld Crown Coach Inn, 25 Market Place, Faringdon, SN7 7HU10.30am – 1.30pm Friday 27 JuneOld Headington Village Hall, Dunstand Road, Oxford, OX3 9BY3pm – 7pm Saturday 28 JuneNorthbrook Street, Newbury11.30am – 2.30pmMonday 30 JuneJericho Community Centre, 33A Canal Street, Oxford, OX2 6BQ3pm – 7pm Tuesday 1 JulyHenley-on-Thames Town Hall, Market Place, Henley, RG9 2AQ2.30pm – 5.30pm Wednesday 2 JulyFlorence Park Community Centre, Cornwallis Road, Oxford, OX4 3NH3pm – 7pm Friday 4 JulyThame Town Hall, Hight Street, Thame, OX9 3DP10.30am – 1.30pm Monday 7 JulyBanbury Town Hall, Bridge Street, Banbury OX16 5QB3pm – 7pm Tuesday 8 July Bampton Village Hall, Market Square, OX18 2JH3pm – 7pm Thursday 10 JulyUnit 14a, Marriotts Walk, Witney, OX28 6GW3pm – 7pm Notes to editors:The proposal is being developed by West Berkshire Council and the district councils of Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire – that’s four of the six councils in Oxfordshire.This engagement is to help inform the proposal for two unitary councils covering all of Oxfordshire and West Berkshire – it is not a consultation on which of the three proposed options is preferred.Names for the new councils would be decided by the councils themselves in the process of them being formed. The names being used are for engagement purposes as working titles |
Hamstead Marshall Parish Meeting
Hamstead Marshall Parish Assembly
New Notice 8th May 2025
Now available online
- Draft Minutes of Parish Assembly May, 2024
- Draft Agenda for the Parish Assembly, May 2025 – please note the meeting commences at 7:00pm.
- Draft Agenda for ordinary council meeting which commences at 7:30pm
- Draft Minutes of March 20, 2025.
Aurora spotted over Hamstead Marshall.
The second Aurora in 6 months has been spotted in the Hamstead Marshall parish. The dark skies policy of the AONB (now called National Landscapes), has helped provide a better chance to spot the rare Aurora Borealis over the south of England. 16th April 2025
HMPC Draft Agenda March 20th 2025
Route 3 bus service diversion until 3 February 2025
Route 3 bus service diversion until 3rd February 2025
To Hamstead Marshal Residents
There is an emergency closure on the Unnamed Road from Tinkers Corner to Hamstead Marshall effecting the route 3 bus service operated by Newbury & District until 3 February 2025.
Information about how the bus is diverting from its usual route can be found on theNewbury & District’s website.
Kind regards,
Louise Martin
BSIP Manager
Transport Services Team West Berkshire Council Market Street Newbury RG14 5LD
Planned Road Closure – Holtwood Road – 29th to 31st January 2025
Dear All,
Please see below details of a Road Closure on the West Berkshire Highway Network –
| Road name(s) | Holtwood Road |
| Exact Location and extent of closure | Between its junction with Ash Tree Grove and its junction with Watery Lane |
| Date(s) | 29th to 31st January 2025 |
| Times | 24 hours |
| Reason for closure | Disconnection works |
| Works Promoter | Thames Water |
| Contractor (if applicable) | |
| Contact number | 0800 316 9800 |
| Residential access available (Yes/No) | Yes, where possible |
| Blue light access available (Yes/No) | No |
| Link to one.network and diversion route | https://one.network/?tm=GB141055133 |
| Any other comments |
Hamstead Marshall PC 