Update - 15th April 2020

After the DTC's Covid-19 Crisis Management Meeting this morning, the latest update are as follows:

• DTC want to thank all residents who adhered to social distancing over the Easter break. This is greatly appreciated.
• Thanks given to Andre Silva for the design of the leaflet to help the elderly and vulnerable – this leaflet will be distributed Councillors and their contacts within the community and featured on the DTC website.
• We will be trialling a Committee meeting using Zoom – F&GP 27^th April. Councillors will be invited to attend. The public will be asked to contact the Town Clerk if they wish to attend. DTC to purchase an annual Zoom licence. Agendas will be short and length restricted to one hour with an option to extend for 30 minutes.
• The Planning Committee meeting for 22^nd April will be via email comments from Committee members. The Didcot Garden Town Consultation will be added to this agenda to enable a DTC comment to be made before the end of April.
• The Mayor Making will take place on 4^th May 2020 – the agenda will be short but will include the Committee seats. The Annual Meeting on 6^th May will not take place and any urgent business will be included on the Mayor-Making.
• Allotments – grass paths have been cut across all five sites. Red and white barrier tape will be put up at the skatepark to further ensure that the public know this facility is closed. Padlocks needed for the tennis courts. Outside Services are low on staff due to self isolation and it is difficult to get parts to mend the mowers.
• Finance – end of year close down is due to take place remotely next week.
• Data migration of computers took place over easter – so much of the data is now accessible.
• Quarterly work plan to be produced to help Councillors keep up to date with actions.
• For latest information

We are all here to help and answer any questions. Please do email in and we will try and help you.

Cllr Mocky Khan

Leader of Didcot Town Council

Update - 7th April 2020

After the DTC's Covid-19 Crisis Management Meeting this morning, the latest update are as follows:

• DTC want to thank all residents for adhering to social distancing, staying at home and only leaving for exercise and shopping. This is greatly appreciated.
• We have received guidance on how to hold virtual meetings. We will be testing the chosen platform and using it for a committee meeting before holding a virtual council meeting. Further details to be provided.
• Businesses should be receiving the eligible grants, for more information please click http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/business/business-rates
• Allotments – we have decided to stop the burn period, which were scheduled for April due to concerns it may have on those that are shielding or staying at home. We will provide an area for you to leave your cuttings. We will hope to have a burn period for autumn – potentially October.
• Planning – we have written to SODC to give clarification of planning applications. Currently we are processing applications received. We want to ensure proper scrutiny is given, we will keep you updated. Any thoughts on planning then please let us know.
• We are closing the gym equipment in all our parks and closing the skate park in Ladygrove.
• For latest information https://www.didcot.gov.uk/

We are all here to help and answer any questions. Please do email in and we will try and help you.

Cllr Mocky Khan

Leader of Didcot Town Council

Message from Councillor Mocky Khan, Leader of the council

After the meeting of the Council's COVID-19 Crisis Management Team, we have decided that Didcot Town Council and Civic Hall will remain CLOSED until 30th April 2020, when we will review the policy based on Government advice and guidelines.

The council will be providing services via phone, email and on the website www.didcot.gov.uk Please do keep checking our website as we will be communicating advice relating to business, community and residents.

Although Council and Committee meetings are postponed, where possible we will be using technology to discuss issues and in this unprecedented situation, emergency powers will be used to make key decisions. Our aim is to continue to keep the council functioning and to deliver to residents. The advice is to get exercise and fresh air while adhering to social distancing measures. We have noticed that a large group of people are using the playgrounds, on safety reasons, we have decided to close all playgrounds until further notice - the parks will remain open. I shall update you on a regular basis. In the meantime, please follow Government advice, self isolate if showing any symptoms and look out for your friends, family and those that are vulnerable.

Please do contact us if you need anything, we will try and help or guide you in the right direction. In these unpredictable times, we all need to stuck together.

Cllr Mocky Khan - Leader of the Council.