Following joint investigation between Cherwell District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, Peter Wynne, 52, of Hearthway, Banbury appeared at Banbury Magistrates Court on 20 August. Wynne had earlier this year pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to disclose employment, that affected his claims. The fraud had been perpetrated over a lengthy period going back to 2003. He was sentenced to 12 weeks custody, suspended for 12 months and a 12 week curfew between 8pm and 8am. Wynne had been working for a local air conditioning company on an ‘as and when' basis, as a general assistant. But his employment was fairly regular and was brought to the attention of the investigation teams in August 2009. He had been overpaid housing benefit of £6,454.11, council tax benefit of £1,462.19 and DWP benefits of £9,059.69, which he will have to repay in full. Cherwell District Council's deputy leader, Cllr George Reynolds, said: "Benefit fraud is theft - pure and simple. It is not something that Cherwell residents are prepared to put up with, and the council will continue to work with other agencies to bring fraudsters to justice and recover the money they've stolen." If you know someone who is cheating the benefit system you can call the fraud hotline on Freephone 0800 716152. All calls are treated confidentially.

Though the causes of climate change are much debated, it seems that the United Kingdom is now experiencing more frequent severe weather episodes.  Most of us can recall the floods of June and July 2007 and the devastation caused by record rainfall in Cumbria in November of last year.  The heavy snowfalls in December 2009 and again in January this year caused major disruption, made worse by a national shortage of salt to help clear roads and highways.  Inevitably these weather events increase the likelihood of disruptions to utilities and power failures in particular.  Such widespread emergencies stretch the resources of the blue-light services and other responding agencies whose top priority must always be life-saving activities. It is in such circumstances the impact on communities may be alleviated by a degree of prior planning both by householders and communities.  Such planning has clear application too in more localised emergencies, particularly those that might result in evacuation from homes.The organisations that respond to emergencies such as Police, Fire and Ambulance services, the Environment Agency , NHS and local authorities have produced a booklet aimed at providing clear practical advice to help householders prepare for and respond to an emergency. Click Are you ready? to read all about it.

No strings attached. No strings Badminton is a council initiative aimed at getting people involved in the sport. The sessions, backed by the sport's governing body, Badminton England, provide a relaxed and flexible playing opportunity for anyone, 16 or over, who would enjoy playing badminton regularly, but who doesn't want to commit to joining a club or who can't always find the right partner to play against. There are two sessions; Kidlington and Gosford Leisure Centre, every Thursday, 6.30pm to 7.30pm Spiceball Leisure Centre, every Thursday 4.30pm to 5.30pm. The sessions cost £2.50 each and rackets will be provided for the first couple of weeks. The initiative has been paid for by the council's successful bid for Sport Unlimited funding from Sport England. Cherwell District Council's portfolio holder for environment, recreation and health, Cllr George Reynolds, said: "If you haven't tried badminton before, this is your chance. Bring along your friends and enjoy playing the game in an informal atmosphere under the watchful eye of a qualified coordinator. It's great for all round fitness, but above all - it's fun". For more information contact Kidlington and Gosford Leisure Centre on 01865 376368 or Spiceball Leisure Centre on 01295 257522.

The national rules have changed on the age of eligibility for concessionary travel. It means that the qualifying age for a travel pass or travel tokens throughout the country will now rise gradually, from 60 to 65 over the next ten years. The change will affect anyone applying for any type of concessionary travel whose 60th birthday falls on or after 6 April 2010. The age of eligibility will rise in stages, between 2010 and 2020.
The earliest age for men and women to get bus passes will therefore rise from 60 on 5 April 2010 to 65 on 6 April 2020. Anyone who already has either a bus pass or transport tokens or is already 60, will not be affected. Cherwell District Council's portfolio holder for planning and housing, Cllr Michael Gibbard, said: "As the changes are being introduced in stages, the date of eligibility for concessionary travel illdepend on the month people were born. For example, those born after 5 April 1955, will be eligible for a travel pass or travel tokens from the age of 65." For more information phone Cherwell District Council customer services on 01295 2277001, email customer.services@cherwell-dc.gov.uk. You can also visit www.cherwell.gov.uk for a full breakdown on the age of eligibility.

                                  Have YOU ever thought about FOSTERING?

There is a recognised shortage of 10,000 Foster Carers in the UK . PACT (Parents And Children Together), founded in 1911, is also known as the Oxford Diocesan Council for Social Work inc. We are a registered charity working to improve life chances for children. The focus of our work is within Berkshire , Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and aims to build and strengthen families.

We are an approved Adoption and Fostering Agency. We have a history of finding safe, loving families for children in care. Here are a few facts about Fostering:

1. Did you know you don't have to be married to become a Foster Carer?
2. You don't have to have children already although you do need to have experience of caring for children.
3. Did you know you get paid a Fostering Allowance of £335.70 a week to be a Foster Carer which is tax free and won't affect any other benefits?
4. Most of the children who need fostering are known as ‘hard to place' children, they will usually be 8+ years of age.

Fostering is a hard but very rewarding job. If you think you might have what it takes to become a Permanent Foster Carer or you want to find out more then contact PACT now on 0800 731 1845 e-mail fostering@pactcharity.org or visit www.pactcharity.org

Cherwell District Council, in association with its Job Club partners, has published an essential guide for Cherwell residents who are facing redundancy and looking for job. It offers advice on redundancy, money matters, job hunting, careers, and training. There are all the local contact details for organisations job seekers may need to get in touch with, including information on what to expect from the weekly Job Clubs in Banbury and Bicester. Cherwell residents can get a copy by phoning the Job Club helpline, 01295 221863 or visiting one of the Banbury or Bicester Job Clubs. It can also be downloaded from the Job Club page of Cherwell District Council's website, www.cherwell.gov.uk, by following the job club link on the homepage. Partners such as Banbury and Bicester Citizen's Advice Bureau also have copies of the guide, as well as Cherwell's one stop shops and the libraries. Cllr Norman Bolster, Cherwell's portfolio holder for economic development and estates, said: “This Essential Guide for our residents facing redundancy or looking for a job recognises that people want to have information together in one place. That way they will know what advice and support they can expect, and where they can get it from locally. If you or someone you know could benefit from this guide then call the Job Club helpline today on 01295 221863.”

Churches have been the target recently of theft of lead from roofs. These thefts are moving closer to our area, the latest being in Bodicote. We would ask that if you live close to the Church, or are walking or driving in the area, that you please look out for ladders on the outside of the Church, with unknown vans parked in the vicinity. If you do notice anything unusual, please contact the police to let them know. Thefts may, of course, happen at night. There is no work planned to take place on the outside of the building in the near future. Thanks for your help. Regrettably a theft has recently occured and residents are asked to be especially vigilant and note registration number/s of any unusual or strange vehicles parked in Roundbottom adjacent to the entrance of Hell Hole in the late evening or during the night.

Siobhan Croft, on behalf of Cropredy PCC

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