Newbury Weekly News

24 / 96

Thursday, May 11, 2017
‘Be on guard over council
tax banding review claims’
TRADING standards chiefs have
warned Hungerford homeowners
to be on their guard after letters
were sent offering council tax
band reviews.
Westbrook Close, in particular, was
targeted by the firm, which tells resi-
dents they are paying too much coun-
cil tax and offering to have it
reduced.
But anyone can have the council
tax band of their property reviewed
for free.
One letter, addressed to “the home-
owner” and sent to a property in
Westbrook Close from ‘Council Tax
Review Services’, states that the
company believed the occupant is on
the wrong council tax banding.
It added: “A neighbour in your close
was successful in their banding
review by ourselves… saving them
almost £200 per year.”
We contacted the company and
asked why it believed the occupant
was on the wrong banding and
whether it could back up its claim
that it had saved a Westbrook Close
resident £200 a year.
A spokesman for the firm, Paul
Buck, claimed his company had been
“defamed” by West Berkshire Council
trading standards officers.
He insisted our questions be put in
writing, before replying: “Thank you
for your email, which has been
forwarded on to our lawyers. As soon
as they have any answers... either
they will contact you or I will and will
be happy to answer your questions.”
However, there had been no further
reply as this newspaper went to
press.
Council tax banding is determined
by the Valuation Office Agency
(VOA), part of HM Revenue and
Customs.
Having it reviewed costs nothing –
the VOA has no fees or charges and
will guide homeowners through the
process.
A spokesman for West Berkshire
Council’s trading standards, Martin
Dunscombe, said: “A Hungerford resi-
dent has been in touch with our trad-
ing standards team to discuss a letter
received which offered a council tax
rebate.
“We have provided some advice and
arranged to visit the resident in the
next few days.
“The trading standards team has
written to local residents to share
advice from the VOA on council tax
banding.
“Anyone can check their council
tax band is correct for free by contact-
ing the Valuation Office Agency.
“In doing so residents need to
understand that re-evaluation could
result in a property being assessed at
a higher band.”
The advice can be found at
warning-bogus-council-tax-refund-
scams
Trading standards i sueswarning tohomeowners overcompany’s letter about ‘savings’
Newbury Weekly News
HUNGERFORD
& LAMBOURN VALLEY
Keeping in touch
Have you got a story?
Contact our Hungerford &
Lambourn valley reporter
JOHN GARVEY, on (01635)
564528, or email:
john.garvey@
Twitter @johng_nwn
NewsupdatesfromHungerfordand Lambournare
to
newburytoday.co.ukand selectthe districtpages
   

‘Outstanding’ Ofsted for under-fives pre-school
STAFF, parents and children at
Great Shefford Under Fives Pre-
school are celebrating following a
recent Ofsted visit.
Inspectors awarded the school the
highest accolade – a rating of
‘outstanding’.
That’s a boost from the previous
rating of ‘good’.
The small community group, which
is based at Great Shefford Village
Hall, won praise for the effectiveness
of leadership and management, the
quality of teaching, learning and
assessment, for personal develop-
ment and behaviour and for welfare.
The inspector spent the morning
alongside the children, observing
their indoor activities, and said:
“They are totally engrossed, using
original ideas and rich language to
describe what they are doing.”
After lunch, she joined the children
as they walked across the fields and
afterwards reported that they were
tremendously active, “helping them
to become strong and agile”.
The report went on: “The highly
experienced and inspirational
manager uses her in-depth knowl-
edge and her skills effectively.
“She leads by example to ensure her
staff continue to develop their practice
to maintain the highest standards.
“Teaching is of a very high stan-
dard. Staff use accurate assessments
and children’s interests to provide a
wonderful variety of rich and excit-
ing learning experiences.
“Staff skilfully encourage children
to think creatively and find their own
solutions. Children are inquisitive
and very eager to learn. They make
rapid progress.”
It added: “Children settle very
quickly, they feel happy and secure
and are ready to learn. Behaviour is
exemplary.
“Children gain an excellent under-
standing of how to lead healthy lives.
“Staff arrange for a dietician to talk
to the children and parents about
healthy eating. Children are tremen-
dously active and become strong and
agile.
“They thoroughly enjoy running,
climbing and balancing as they gain
confidence in their own abilities.”
Pre-school supervisor, Denise
Herrington, said she was delighted
with the report.
She added that it reflected the
“hard work and commitment of the
staff team together with the support
of the parents and community”.
The group has places available – for
more details visit www.greatsheffor-
Phoebe is British
schools judo ace
A HUNGERFORD pupil has been crowned
British schools judo champion.
Phoebe Digweed, a Year 7 pupil at John O’Gaunt
School, was one of more than 650 contestants from
schools across the nation competing in the champi-
onships at the English Institute of Sport in
Sheffield.
Phoebe won every single one of her fights en
route to the final.
Around 400 schools were represented in the
competition.
John O’Gaunt School headteacher, Alan Hender-
son, said: “A massive well done to Phoebe. This is
an incredible achievement and we are extremely
proud of her.”
Phoebe Digweed onthepodium
David is new
primary head
HUNGERFORD Primary School
has announced that it has
appointed a new headteacher.
He is David
Mayer, who will be
taking up the posi-
tion on September
1.
Mr Mayer,
pictured, will
replace Gerry
Heaton, who has
occupied the role
since January 2014 and who
announced his intention to retire
earlier this year.
Mr Mayer is an experienced head-
teacher who was recently principal
of a large primary school in Wilt-
shire.
Before that, he was headteacher at
a medium-sized primary school in
Oxfordshire.
Mr Mayer has strong connections
with Hungerford Primary School as
both his daughters have been
educated there.
He said: “I’m very excited to be
coming back to the town and working
with the local community.
“I am very much looking forward
to meeting children and parents
during my visits to the school in the
summer term.”
Chairman of the school governors,
Andy Bell, said: “We had several
strong candidates who went through
a rigorous selection process and
we’re delighted that David has
accepted the position of head-
teacher.”
He added: “He demonstrated great
empathy with the governors’ vision
of putting children at the heart of
everything we do in the school, espe-
cially nurturing and developing a
lifelong love of learning.”
Opening party is the best Barrs none
HUNDREDS of people, including
civic leaders, attended the launch
of Hungerford’s new Artisans’
Collective on Friday evening.
The collective, founded by husband
and wife team Travers and Katie
Nettleton, brings together a number
of independent businesses including
a deli, wine shop, fashion boutique,
gardening clothing brand and art
gallery, which reside alongside
Garden Art Plus’s own shop to create
a “unique shopping and lifestyle
destination”.
The Nettletons founded Garden
Art Plus in 2004 and since then its
ever-changing display of antique
garden statuary has become one of
the town’s most striking features.
HundredsofguestsattendedtheBarrsYardopeningeveningonFriday Ref:19-1017B
From left,Travers andKatieNettleton, Romilla Arber andNewburyConservative
parliamentary candidateRichardBenyonattheBarrsYardopeningparty Ref:19-1017A