Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to hold free sessions on emergency first-aid for bikers following a rise in the number of motorcyclists killed on Oxfordshire’s roads during 2017.

While total fatalities on Oxfordshire’s roads fell from 32 in 2016 to 23 in the last 12 months, the number of motorcyclists killed rose from three to eight – accounting for more than a third of road deaths in 2017.

The Fire and Rescue Service’s Road Safety Education Team holds regular ‘Biker Down’ workshops for motorcyclists and other road users to learn what to do if they are the first person at scene of an incident – particularly one involving a motorcyclist. The workshops deliver basic first aid training, including when and how to remove a rider’s helmet. Bikers can also learn how to make themselves more visible to other road users.

The Mayor of Thame, Cllr Tom Wyse, himself a kean motorcyclist, will be dropping in at Thame Fire Station in Nelson Street, Thame, at 1pm, on Saturday, January 7, to meet Road Safety Team Leader, Andy Ford, and other motorcyclists taking part in a ‘Biker Down’ workshop.

Further training

Firefighters are also encouraging motorcyclists of all ages and experience to consider taking more practical training to improve road awareness and riding skills.

Road Safety Team Leader, Andy Ford, said: “While it’s obviously good that the overall number of people killed on our roads is reducing, it’s a concern to see a rise in the number of biker fatalities.

“Compared with other road users, motorcyclists will always be more vulnerable to serious injury in a road collision or when losing control of their vehicle. No matter how long you’ve been a biker, you’re never too good and there are always new things you can learn from further training – both in terms of how you can help at the scene of an incident, and how you can be a safer rider.”

Becoming a safer rider

Andy, who is himself an experienced motorcyclist, recently attended a Bike Safe course run by Thames Valley Police. He said: “Regardless of the circumstances of individual incidents, it makes sense for motorcyclists to be mindful at all times of their relative vulnerability on the roads, and consider whether they could become a safer rider. That’s something I continue to do myself after 35 years on the road, and I’ve certainly benefited from the extra training I have attended. I would encourage every rider to attend even if they have been before.”

Oxfordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader Judith Heathcoat said: “People who have attended the Biker Down workshops have told us how much they value the information and skills they have taken away, and the confidence this has given them should they have to respond to an incident. There is also information on our website about opportunities for further road safety training for motorcyclists.”

For more information about the free Oxon Biker Down workshops, see their Facebook page. To register interest in attending a Biker Down workshop and go on a waiting list for notification of the 2018 dates/venues, email bikerdown@oxfordshire.gov.uk

For further information about practical training visit
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/road-safety-advice-motorcyclists

SOUTH Oxfordshire’s best kept secret, possibly; free computer help which anyone can attend as many times as they need. (more…)

A sponsored tractor run through the centre of Thame on Christmas Eve has raised more than £6,500 for Thames Valley Air Ambulance, and the organisers have indicated that the event will become a regular part of the town’s Christmas celebrations.

The tractor run was organised by Jesse Smith, after his friend Granger Challis suggested the idea back in November. Granger helped by spreading the word via the social network group, AgriSocial. It soon became clear that the funds raised for the Thames valley Air Ambulance, smashed the original target of £500.

Expecting around 20 tractors to turn up for the parade, it was a huge surprise when almost 80 vehicles joind the run, as it set off from Thame town centre, where over 2,000 on-lookers had gathered to see the spectacle and put donations in the buckets as the parade went through. The route took the tractor run from Thame to Chinnor, along to Aston Rowant, through Adwell, Tetsworth and back to Thame. (See video by Peter Lambert) HERE:

Money raised on the day was later doubled by a donation from Thame-based John Deere dealer, Farol Ltd, and in the days since the event Jesse has received more than 30 messages from people asking that the tractor parade is run again next year.

Jesse was reported as saying: “I am truly thankful for everyone who came along and donated to this amazing charity. I am so proud of the work the Thames Valley Air Ambulance does for the community; it really means a lot to the farming community and everyone else.”

SOURCE: Famers Weekly

THE following urgent message is from the Police and Crime Commissioner, Anthony Stansfeld:

On Tuesday, December 19, the Home Secretary announced a substantial £450 million increase in police funding across England and Wales. However, this funding package assumes that all Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will raise the police element of council tax by £1 a month (or £12 a year) for a band D property which, collectively, will raise £270 million of the £450 million increase. This will allow forces to continue to provide an effective service in their critical work to fight crime and protect the public.

At present around 60% of Thames Valley Police’s £393 million annual policing budget is funded by central government, with the policing element of your council tax making up the remainder. Since 2010/11 the police grant has been cut by around 38% in real terms which has resulted in Thames Valley Police (TVP) having to make £99 million of savings in order to balance the budget. These cuts have already led to a manpower reduction of over 1,000 full time equivalent posts, including more than 450 police officers.

Setting the budget for 2018/19 needs to be considered in the context of an already constrained financial position as well as the additional pressures policing faces as demand in some of the most complex and challenging areas continues to increase. This includes rising reports and cases of hidden crimes such as domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual offences, serious violence and exploitation have all increased the pressure on police resources.

Needless to say this is proving to be extremely challenging and without the increase of £12 per year in council tax, as recommended by the Home Secretary, we would have to make further significant reductions in police officers and staff which will affect the level and quality of policing service we are able to offer you.

In November 2017 TVP was judged by the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to be ‘outstanding’ in the efficiency with which it keeps people safe and reduces crime. This includes an ‘outstanding’ for its understanding of demand and its use of resources to manage demand, and its planning for future demand was judged to be ‘good’. Thames Valley Police was one of only two forces nationally to have been awarded an overall rating of outstanding.

Ideally I would not choose to consult over the busy Christmas and New Year period and particularly on such an important issue, however, the Chief Constable and I only received the provisional police grant settlement for 2018/19 from the Home Office on Tuesday, December 19. Unfortunately due to budget decisions needing to be finalised by the end of January, I am only able to run the consultation until midday on Thursday, January 11. I apologise for the timing and length of the consultation period but I hope you will take the time to complete the survey which will help the Chief Constable and I to make an informed decision on the budget for 2018/19.

Today I have launched a short online survey to seek your views on this increase, which can be found on the below link and I would encourage you to complete it and share widely:
https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/police-funding-survey-have-your-say/

Those residents who do not have access to the internet can write to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Thames Valley Police Headquarters, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 2NX with your answers to the below questions.

Question 1
Do you think an extra £12 per year in council tax, for a Band D property, to help protect operational policing in Thames Valley would be money well spent?

Yes / No

Question 2
If you have answered No to question 1 will you please explain why and propose an alternative annual increase that you believe is justified and will enable the Force to do their job effectively?

Please note that all responses needs to be received by midday on Thursday 11th January 2018

Anthony Stansfeld
Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley

THAME Town Council’s big idea to help tackle the shortage of affordable homes locally, has come a step closer. (more…)