Where’s Headington’s Nearest Credit Union?

TonyOX3

With credit unions in the news after Archbishop Justin Welby @abcjustin told pay-day loan company Wonga the Church of England would “compete them out of business”, I wondered how easy it would be for Headington residents to access a credit union.

A quick search found just two in Oxford. In case you didn’t know, one of the quirks of credit unions is that members have to have a “common bond”, which means something that links them together. This can be a postcode or group of codes, work (there is one for police officers for example), membership of a particular trade union, etc. Both Oxford ones are postcode-based, and the good news for those of us in OX3 is that the Oxford Credit Union is open to anyone living or working at an address with an OX1, OX2, OX3, or OX4 postcode. The other, the Blackbird Leys Credit Union, is only open to people with OX4 postcodes.

Both credit unions have an office in Oxford where transactions can be made. The Oxford Credit Union is in Temple Cowley, the Blackbird Leys Credit Union is in the Blackbird Leys Community Centre.

Other things you might like to know about Credit Unions (and I’m indebted to the FAQs on the Oxford Credit Union’s website for a concise summary of these points) is that their interest rates on loans are capped at no more than 2% a month (26.8% APR) compared to the hundreds or even thousands of percent charged by commercial pay-day loan companies. If you deposit money with them your savings are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and the Financial Ombudsman Scheme. Credit unions also offer free life insurance on all savings and loans. You can save from £2.50 a week upwards, to a maximum of £10,000. Interest on savings is set once a year at the Union’s AGM.

Links: Oxford Credit Union
     Blackbird Leys Credit Union (website under construction) or see creditunions.co.uk.

Headington Headlines #122

TonyOX3

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 22 – 28 July.

New High Street was closed for several days for resurfacing.

Next street along, several residents in Kennett Road have objected to an application to create a disabled parking space. There’s a suggestion the applicant may already have somewhere to park off the street.

@TVP_Oxford raided a number of properties in Barton and Headington on Wednesday morning on suspicion of drug offences. The targets were in Cranley Road and Waynflete Road in Barton and John Snow Place on the London Road. At least one man has been charged.

News broke that @OxfordshireCC are conducting a strategic transport review of Headington’s traffic problems. Headington transport and cycling groups, Neighbourhood Plan team and other interested groups were unaware until about two weeks ago and there seem to be no plans to involve them. Describing the review as ‘major’ is rather exaggerated as the Council has apparently budgeted less than £25,000 for the consultants they have commissioned.

The cricket wicket in Margaret Road park was refurbished. Councillors @delia_sinclair @MarkLygo and @LaurencepBaxter celebrated.

Having acknowledged a while ago that their ban on smoking anywhere on site was unenforceable in practice, the JR Hospital has submitted a planning application to erect five smoking shelters.

There was a snatch robbery on the London Road on Wednesday the week before last. Police appeal for information.

Morrisons was granted an alcohol licence for 6am to midnight at the old Blockbuster shop.

Barton is getting £14,575 from @OxfordCity‘s Social Inclusion Fund for youth work, advice work and the Barton Bash.

The Film under the Stars screening in Bury Knowle Park on Saturday had to be cancelled because of the rain. @FilmOxford say it will be rescheduled for later in the school holidays.

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • Plans for the new Barton estate now available
  • New High Street Re-surfacing
  • Supermarkets in Headington
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.

Headington Headlines #121

TonyOX3

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 15 – 21 July.

Despite earlier statements to the contrary two drop-in sessions were announced for people to see and ask questions about the Barton West development proposals. The dates are today (Monday 22) and tomorrow. Details here.

Oxfordshire County Council has asked for statements of interest in the Marywood House site in Leiden Road.

A teenage girl who had last been seen in Maltfield Road, Northway was reported missing on Tuesday but was found safe and well later that evening.

A cyclist was assaulted and robbed on the Marston cycle path on Tuesday. Police are appealing for information.

William Hill’s appeal over refusal of permission to change the old Cartridge World into a betting shop was dismissed. Meanwhile, a hearing has started on one of Martin Young’s many skirmishes with the Council – this time an appeal over the refusal to agree that building 2 x 2-bed flats and 3 new buildings to form 2 x 2-bed and 1 x 1-bed dwellings was a lawful use of the existing 29 Old High Street.

Cheney School wants to make a burger van move away from the school gates. The van’s trading licence is due for review this week.

The @oxonbike rack outside St Andrew’s School (aka Headington Shops) was moved to the outside of the pavement after concerns about schoolchildren’s safety.

Headington’s @NikkiLoyMusic was a finalist in Strictly Oxford at the New Theatre on Sunday. The charity fund-raising event was organised by Headington’s StepByStep Dance School.

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • School transport in and around Headington
  • Plans for the new Barton estate now available
  • New Headington bus routes
  • Thornhill Park and Ride Expansion Plans.
  • Empty shops in Headington
  • Fall outside Waitrose Wed 17th July
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.