Grove Annual Parish Meeting

Last night I attended the Grove Annual Parish Council meeting to give my County Council report.  There were about 40 people in attendance.  The big item for discussion was the proposed housing development at Grove Airfield and the Vale planning officer responsible for the application was there to answer questions.  The usual concerns were raised about where people are going to work, how the roads will cope and will we get the promised schools and facilities which we will need.  Access onto the site and how construction traffic will be serving the development were also raised.  Everyone is urged to send in their comments by 30th April.

Sports Awards at King Alfred's College

This evening I was invited to attend King Alfred's Annual Sports Awards  at Wantage Centre site.  It was an enjoyable occasion where we were all able to celebrate the fantastic achievements of our young people.  There was an Olympic theme this year, especially because one of the pupils from the school has been chosen to carry the torch through Oxfordshire.  The PE department at the college have been presented with a National Award for all the Olympic/Paralympic work which they have done over the year.

The guest speaker for the evening was Lesley Owusu, former 400m runner at World, Commonwealth and European stages.  She gave an inspirational talk about how she came to win in such a hugely competitive environment.   I am sure that many young people will be encouraged by her athletic career.

Bungee Jumping at The Bay Tree

I was walking down to a Grove Parish Council meeting tonight when I came across bungee jumping in the car park of The Bay Tree pub!  Apparently, it was a charity event in aid of the John Radcliffe Special Baby Unit. So, well done to all - especially those who jumped!

Metal Theft

I am sure everyone was shocked and dismayed to hear the press reports (see here) about the theft of lead from St. John's Church in Grove over the Easter weekend. The photos above were taken on Easter Monday.

Sadly, this is one of many such incidents and metal thefts from church roofs, cemetries, railway cables, manholes covers, etc., which now seem to be reported on an almost daily basis in the national press. These incidents are crimes against society as well as pure theft. So what can be done and why have the authorities been so powerless to stop this increasing problem?

An interesting House of Commons report appeared recently (see here), which discussed the issues, preventative measures (like SmartWater) and the proposals to reform legislation. The changes include (1) making it an offence for dealers to pay cash for scrap, (2) giving the police new powers to enter scrap yards, and (3) increasing the fines for offences. However, some concern has been expressed by many people and organisations such as the British Metals Recycling Organisation (BMRA) about an exemption for itinerant sellers (such as rag and bone men). I understand the Bill was passed in the Commons on 17 April - but will it be enough?

New Roof for Wantage Hospital

As shown by the above photo, it looks like Wantage Hospital is getting a new roof. The hospital originally opened in Belmont and was funded through public subscription and bequests. It moved to the current Charlton Park site in June 1927 and became part of the NHS in 1948. It's good to see this landmark building still receiving some loving care.

Pictures at a Housing Exhibition

Today was the final day of the exhibition held in St. John's Church Hall about the Grove airfield development. Representatives from the developers and the district council were there during the morning to answer questions. There was a good flow of people discussing the issues and their concerns with this major "urban extension" of the village. As you would expect, traffic, housing density, vehicle access, infrastructure, employment opportunities and flooding all came up.

Despite the confusing deadlines that have been published in different places (and the incorrect date still shown on the Vale website), it is still possible to comment on the outline planning application up until 30th April. Here is the link which will take you to the application and where you will find the online Comment now facility. Alternatively, you can just write directly to the Case Officer (Ms. Geraldine LeCointe, Vale of White Horse District Council, Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE) or via email to planning@whitehorsedc.gov.uk

Wantage IAC Bid Success

At this afternoon's Cabinet meeting at the County Council, it was agreed to give the Wantage Independent Advice Centre their bid for £1,990 from the Big Society Fund.  The total bid was for £10,490, however, £8,500 was contributed from Wantage Day Centre as this money was going towards a project to provide transport to the two local day centres for vulnerable and older people in the community.

The costs are to help recruit and set up a system for managing volunteer drivers for daily transport to the day centres.  It was acknowledged that this type of Community Transport Scheme could be rolled out countywide to other advice centres as a good model.

Local residents are very supportive of our local community car scheme run by the Wantage IAC and I am pleased that I was able to speak in support of this important bid at the Cabinet meeting today.  Accessing our day centres is crucial to the health and wellbeing of our elderly and vulnerable people, so it is important that we give them all the help we can, especially during the current economic climate. 

Planning Confusion

It was my monthly surgery yesterday and a resident came along with some very legitimate complaints about the current planning application for the Grove Airfield Development, some of which have also been commented on by others. 

The first issue, that I have raised previously on this blog, is about the date for sending in comments to the planning application itself.  The initial letter to householders claimed that comments on the application needed to be received three weeks from the date of the letter (19th March according to my calculations).  This was then apparently extended to the 28th March, but when the exhibition was scheduled for 20-21 April, we were told by the parish council that the deadline was now extended until 30th April.  However, confusion continues when you check the website where it just states 'no case officer has been asssigned' and 'the consultation process will begin once the officer has been allocated'. Notices around the village just add to the confusion, where some still show 28th March and some show 30th April (see above). Clearly, what should have happened is that householders should have been sent a new letter with the correct date and the website should have been updated.

There are also a number of inaccuracies in the supporting documentation, not least, where it is stated that Newlands Drive has a 40 mph speed limit.  There has been a 30 mph speed limit there for years, so I do not understand how something as basic as this can be incorrect.  The access onto the site from just 2 points along Newlands Drive are also some cause of local concern especially when it would make much more sense to access the site from the Mably Way roundabout from Downsview Road.  A number of questions to be answered which I hope will be dealt with when I go for a briefing meeting soon with officers at County Hall.

Finally, the planning section of the Vale of White Horse District Council website is often inaccessible at the weekend, so that people are unable to obtain the planning documentation at what is often the most convenient time for those at work. I have complained about this before, but it continues to be a regular occurrence.

Those who have submitted planning applications will know how important it is to get the details exactly right. For such a major planning application, it is essential that the process is completely transparent and performed in a professional manner. 

Brightening Up Easter Monday

As predicted, it is a grey, wet Easter Monday. To brighten the day, here are some photos from the grounds of Sir George and Lady Martin who kindly opened their Oxfordshire garden on a glorious Sunday a week ago as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

Lambourn Open Day 2012

As with previous Good Fridays, today was the Lambourn Open Day where the racehorse trainers throw their yards open to the public to raise money for the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust and other local charities. This year, Nicky Henderson's yard seemed to be very busy and this was no doubt partially due to his seven Cheltenham winners. Shown above (top left) is Long Run who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2011 and also managed third this year after being beaten by Tony McCoy on Synchronised. Also, on display and looking well was Kid Cassidy (top right) - the horse who survived the electric shock incident at Newbury in February 2011.

The afternoon programme included top jockeys - such as  Tony McCoy and John Francome - schooling horses over fences and hurdles. There was also a dressage display by Lissa Green along with her mother Lucinda Green, six time winner of the Badminton Horse Trials.

Support for the Military in Oxfordshire

Last June I was pleased to have signed the Oxfordshire Military Covenant as reported here.  A few weeks ago, I was telephoned by a sergeant who had read about this on the County Council's website and had spotted my name as a signatory.  He had recently been discharged from the army after having served 22 years of service and was having problems trying to get support and advice in finding accommodation in Oxford on his return.  He was told that he would have to report to the night shelter!

I urged him to contact the Leader of the Council directly as I felt it was important that he heard first hand the concerns of the sergeant rather than through me as Leader of the Opposition.  Being in Opposition is a difficult task, as I have learned over the six years that I have been in this role, and one thing I do know is that sometimes just holding that title means there will be opposition from the ruling group on everything I say!

However, I did table a question for yesterday's Council meeting as follows:

"Given that Oxfordshire was the first county to sign the Armed Forces Military Covenant and the Leader of the Council was one of the first to sign up, what practical help and support is being given to military personnel returning into civilian life in Oxfordshire to help them with accommodation and advice?"

In his written response to me, the Leader asked that my group supported his motion to Council on the subject.  Indeed, we were more than happy to and in fact put forward an amendment which ensured that the whole range of needs to services personnel were included whether it is MOD, NHS or district councils who provide housing.  I was pleased that the Leader did accept this amendment and the motion was passed nem con.

This was an excellent result yesterday in the council chamber which makes everything worthwhile.  Indeed, this was the Leader's last full Council meeting, and it was a very constructive one.    It is the end of a ten year era.  This was actually the Leader's first motion to council during this time, so it was no surprise that it went through unanimously.  A good result for all - but in particular, a good result for our armed forces in Oxfordshire.

Support for the Military in Oxfordshire

Last June I was pleased to have signed the Oxfordshire Military Covenant as reported here.  A few weeks ago, I was telephoned by a sergeant who had read about this on the County Council's website and had spotted my name as a signatory.  He had recently been discharged from the army after having served 22 years of service and was having problems trying to get support and advice in finding accommodation in Oxford on his return.  He was told that he would have to report to the night shelter!

I urged him to contact the Leader of the Council directly as I felt it was important that he heard first hand the concerns of the sergeant rather than through me as Leader of the Opposition.  Being in Opposition is a difficult task, as I have learned over the six years that I have been in this role, and one thing I do know is that sometimes just holding that title means there will be opposition from the ruling group on everything I say!

However, I did table a question for yesterday's Council meeting as follows:

"Given that Oxfordshire was the first county to sign the Armed Forces Military Covenant and the Leader of the Council was one of the first to sign up, what practical help and support is being given to military personnel returning into civilian life in Oxfordshire to help them with accommodation and advice?"

In his written response to me, the Leader asked that my group supported his motion to Council on the subject.  Indeed, we were more than happy to and in fact put forward an amendment which ensured that the whole range of needs to services personnel were included whether it is MOD, NHS or district councils who provide housing.  I was pleased that the Leader did accept this amendment and the motion was passed nem con.

This was an excellent result yesterday in the council chamber which makes everything worthwhile.  Indeed, this was the Leader's last full Council meeting, and it was a very constructive one.    It is the end of a ten year era.  This was actually the Leader's first motion to council during this time, so it was no surprise that it went through unanimously.  A good result for all - but in particular, a good result for our armed forces in Oxfordshire.

Wantage Police Front Counter Decision

I have now heard the result of the consultation over the review of Front Counter Services with Thames Valley Police.  Readers of my blog will remember that I wrote concerning the Wantage Front Counter here.

The letter I have received from TVP says that unfortunately, the situation remains as originally forecast - that the front counter by the Wantage Library will only open for 4 hours each weekday from 10am until 2pm with no opening on Saturdays.  Obviously this is disappointing news, but I have been assured that this will not effect police presence in the community.  The letter states that Wantage has had a relatively modest demand on its current police station, the average being about 40 transactions per week.

The new change of location to the Grove Technology Park will mean that in the future this will provide an increased presence in the community, but in the interim period we shall have to survive with what we have.  The new 101 Police Number also means that most people contact the police by telephone rather than reporting at front counters, and of course, this service is available 24 hours a day.