Race for Life

This takes place in June to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Visit the website here to find out more. There cannot be anyone who doesn't know someone who has had their lives touched by cancer and although treatment is much better and the outlook for those affected is now much improved, vital research is still needed.

I know there are local ladies taking part so good luck to them and anyone else who is going to do this, we wish them well!

Reporting on Oxfordshire

One of the tasks I undertook as part of trying to be a 'critical friend' to the ruling group today at County Hall, was to read through the Oxfordshire County Council's Annual report. This document aims to set out what has been achieved at the County Council over the past year that we can tell our residents and partners about?

Well this document was pretty much a hatchet job to be honest. Take a look here if you like. Although described as a 'working draft' on the Cabinet agenda for the meeting, I have to say it did not inspire confidence. 40 odd pages of what is pretty much happening in the north of the County with little emphasis on incorporating many of our market towns and what we have done to improve the lives of Oxfordshire's residents. Abingdon doesn't get a mention and Didcot and Wantage/Grove are mentioned only as being part of a 'hub' (buzz-word of the moment!) for the Quadrant (which is supposed to be where all the active work in the county is going on). The word "Quadrant" is supposed to conjure up an image of an area where scientists and technologists are busy doing research providing solutions to all our problems.

So, some nice photos (except the out-of-focus fuzzy pic of someone on p.39) but broadly a report lacking in focus - it needs some firm shaping up if you ask me. It is a pity a bit more effort hadn't gone into this. I did make these points today at the meeting, and as mention was made of the fact that I would be adding the story to my blog. I am doing just that knowing that at least someone is reading this - let's hope they take note!

Power to the People

This is the title of the conference I have attended in London today and the question we asked was "Will the White Paper Deliver?"

I am sure that the average person in the street would think I had gone mad if I were to stop them and ask if they are ready to take on 'devolved power', and even more so, if I were to ask them about the 'Sustainable Community Strategy'. Well, I hope my blog goes some way to help my constituents through the maze of 'government speak' and in some way I have to attempt to do this myself. Well, we don't wish to miss out on anything wonderful which might be coming our way do we?

The highlight of the day was the keynote speech from Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government where she gave us all a very rousing finale. During the morning session, we had listened to Julia Goldsworthy MP, the Shadow Secretary of State (Liberal Democrat) and both were saying very inspirational things about how people can get involved and try to change things for the better in the places where they live. We heard a lot about 'neighbourhood renewal'.

And because I think some of this is really good stuff if used correctly, and we really can involve people within their communities and give them money to do so - I want to find out more and hope you do too.

Believe it or not, there is a 'Community Power Pack' (I am not joking - read it here) and when you have read all 60 odd pages you will know where to start! Seriously though, we can only wait until this White Paper becomes a reality, and in the meantime gear ourselves up for it. There should be devolved budgets coming with it, so that should make a difference, and councillors are expected to take a key role in making it happen!

However, if the White Paper seems too far away and you have a burning ambition to get started on a vision or a project that would benefit the local community and need funds to help, why not pop along to a free funding advice surgery which is being held on Monday 19th May from 10am - 1pm at the Independent Advice Centre, 16 Market Place, Wantage.

This may be a quicker route to funding local projects - just in case the government White Paper may be too far away for us to plan for it yet! I won't hold my breath....

Your Vale, Your Future

This evening the Vale of White Horse District Council held a local forum in Wantage about how we can try and plan for the future. This will form part of a strategy called 'Your Vale - Your Future' which started its consultation last year. Quite a task to take on, especially how we can involve the public? It's a difficult challenge and tonight's showing of just 22 people made it feel quite a 'select few'. But we had 'voting pads' provided by Thames Valley Police - so actually it was quite an innovative way of showing people's preferences when it came to searching questions like how we can improve the quality of life for older people, or having access to good quality green spaces, sport, cultural and leisure facilities. Aspirational stuff indeed!

However, it was good to see a good mix of people there. At the table where I sat, young and older people together were very clear about what they wanted to see, and we agreed that having the freedom to enjoy leisure was a key in planning for the future. We all want space to live in harmony and respect each others' wishes. It was quite an enjoyable meeting, and I can only hope that in some way we have helped to shape things to come.

The next Forum will be held in Faringdon Corn Exchange on Thursday 22nd May and following that in Cumnor Village Hall on Tuesday 17th June. All start at 7pm and finish by 9pm.

Reservoir One Step Closer

Last night local district and county councillors were briefed on Thames Water's proposal for a massive reservoir on our doorstep. The argument is about preventing future water shortages in the wake of rising populations and increasing demands on our water supply. The story has hit the press here and many of us who tune into Radio Oxford will hear it there too.

The reservoir will serve customers in London, Swindon aswell as Oxfordshire and although the company claims to have spent millions in tackling leaks, the argument is that by 2010 they will have reduced leakage levels by about a third.

They are also bringing in the increased use of water metering and they are aiming to have all connected buildings metered by 2020. They will be focussing on greater water efficiency with new technology being on the market over the next 10 years. So where does this leave us?

Firstly, we are being offered numerous exhibitions in the area where people can view the proposals and talk to officials. Some of the local venues are listed below:

Grove Old Mill Hall (Dixon Suite) Wednesday 21st May 12pm - 9pm

Wantage Civic Hall (Ridgeway Suite) Thursday 29th May 12pm - 9pm and Friday 30th May 9am - 5pm

There are also exhibitions being held at Abingdon, Steventon, Drayton, Marcham and Hanney, but check out the website for full details of this latest proposal and how you can get involved in the public consultation. Here is the website link

You can also call freephone 0800 1078 001 to request information on the project.

May Day Mayhem

Today is the first time this year that we shall have the opportunity to see how the mood of the public is weighed up against the backdrop of local elections across the country. As the emergency services tried to prevent the usual morning mayhem of Mayday revellers plunging from Magdalen Bridge in Oxford, political parties across Oxfordshire were preparing for the polls.

In Oxfordshire, we have Oxford City elections, district elections in Cherwell and West Oxfordshire and a County by-election being fought in the division of Kidlington and Yarnton due to the resignation of the Conservative councillor.

It is usually a poor turnout in local elections as we have recently seen in the by-election for Grove and Wantage. It would be good to try and tackle voter apathy, but so long as people don't see anything happening in their area to make them think otherwise, why should they bother to vote?

We have a democratic process in this country we should be proud of, seeing what is happening in Zimbabwe at the moment is a disgrace. We have our rights and we should use them. We have a say who represents us locally and we should use our vote in the ballot box.

We shall see the results tomorrow; it shouldn't be mayhem I hope - but it could be a warning shot to the government perhaps?