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Category: More News

  • How is Thame is coping with the Covid-19 crisis?

    DESPITE the frequently empty shelves of tinned food, pasta, rice, toilet rolls – and today, strong white flour for bread-making,

    Thame is coping well so far with the challenges of this unprecedented event in the town’s modern history.

    For the independent shops in the town, as of Saturday, March 14, it’s a mixed picture. CAAOS, the computer repair shop above Pet Care, a shortage of electronic equipment from China a couple of weeks ago has now eased and stocks are available at the moment. The store reports an increase in phone calls from people asking about how to set up for working from home which they are happy to help with. FROM, the gift and life-style shop in Cornmarket that specialises in selling work by local artists, designers and makers, reported a drop in footfall, less browsing, but generally a good level of sales on Saturday to people coming in with intent to buy something, often for a Mothers’ Day present.

    Glynswood said that had noticed an up-take in the purchasing of puzzles, colouring materials and kits, the sorts of things people, including children, can do at home, whilst Autoparts reported that the town had been quieter than usual in the week, illustrated by the unusual number of available parking spaces in the town centre, but that Saturday’s sales had been pretty buoyant, particularly as they had received a shipment of hand sanitisers. Umberto, in Greyhound Walk, was not feeling a particular downturn on Saturday, but was not optimistic for the future if shops have to close if the government’s strategy for controlling the spread of the virus meant people having to stay in their homes.

    ‘Community spirit’

    The kindness and community spirit of the people of Thame has really come to the fore this week, with the emergence of several facebook groups aimed at supporting people affected by the virus, whether they’re isolated by the illness itself, or having to work from home to protect themselves and each other.

    A group called Love Thame Helpers has been set up to allow members of the existing, Love Thame facebook group, a dedicated area to request and offer help in response to the outbreak of the Corona Virus.  Leaflets have been printed and are being posted all around the town, offering a helpful hand.

    The facebook group, Thame Homeworking Community has emerged for those people in the Thame area who are working from home. It could be by choice or because they may be self-isolating, or may be directed by their employer because of the COVID-19 virus. The aim is to enable them to share and support each other. 

    Many events postponed or cancelled

    Following the latest advice of the government for everyone to stay away from social gatherings, and to remain at a distance from each other, many forthcoming local events have either been cancelled or postponed. They include:

    • Thame United, Wednesday’s fixture is off! March 18 – all grassroots football in England is postponed for the foreseeable future
    • Thame’s Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 24
    • Chinnor RFC Thame has suspended all rugby activity including club training, league and cup matches plus rugby education courses from March 17 – April 14 subject to continued review
    • Thame Tidy, April 18
    • Music in the Park, May 3
    • VE Day celebrations, May 8
    • Mile of Coins, May 30
    • Thame Choral Society’s May concert – Handl’s Messiah; TCS hopes to perform the concert later in the year, in October or November
    • Cricket club comedy night
    • Thame Players Theatre closed
    • Taste of Thame – postponed
    • Thame Town Council’s Planning meeting cancelled – March 17
    • Information Centre Town hall, not open to the public –  information centre, contact by phone 01844 212 833 or email info@thametowncouncil.gov.uk
    • Mother’s Day Afternoon tea – March 22, 2020 at the Guide HQ

    GP Surgeries

    GP Practices are being advised not to see patients face to face wherever possible in order to limit the spread of Coronavirus. The Rycote Practice will be using telephone, video and eConsultations where possible until further notice. You can eConsult via the website at any time. All other contacts will be triaged by telephone and only seen face to face if necessary. Only call the surgery for essential requests in order to keep the lines free.

    Appointments such as blood tests and dressings that cannot be dealt with by telephone will only be booked if they have been requested by a doctor or nurse.

    DO NOT go to the surgery for any reason if you have a temperature, a persistent cough or flu-like symptoms.  Some routine appointments and services will be cancelled or postponed.

    Support services and contact

    Thame Information Centre and the Town Council offices will remain open but the council is asking that you  call (01844 212833) or email (info@thametowncouncil.gov.uk) if possible. Please check the Town Council’s Twitter Feed for updates. There are lots of useful support services contact details on the counci’s website HERE

    Latest from South Oxfordshire District Council

    FOLLOWING government and Public Health England advice on the risks to people over the age of 70 and with underlying health conditions, as well as following good practice for reducing the amount of unnecessary contact between individuals, SODC has taken the decision to cancel some events as follows:

    • Community-based leisure events and activities at our arts centres involving older and vulnerable people
    • All formal council meetings until the end of March have been postponed – they will review the plan for meetings scheduled after the end of the month in due course, and will consider the latest government’s advice at the time.

    SODC staff who are already able to work from home without affecting services to the public have been asked to do so. Otherwise, the council is operating normally. If you do need to find out information about the council, make a payment or apply for something the council provides, you can do so using the websites. A page on the council’s website is being kept up to date with the latest information. LINK HERE

  • Time to move forward with Local Plan

    “It’s now time to focus on doing everything we can to tackle the climate emergency, including developing new planning policies that seek to ensure new buildings and developments in the district are genuinely sustainable, meet high-quality environmental standards, and meet local needs.”

    These were the words of Cllr Sue Cooper, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council after a Council meeting on 5 March 2020.

    At the meeting, councillors discussed the Direction by Robert Jenrick MP, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to progress the council’s Local Plan through the examination process and to adopt the plan by December this year.

    The council hadn’t been allowed to formally discuss its Local Plan for nearly five months after a temporary direction was placed on the council in October last year.

    In the Council meeting, councillors noted the Direction that had been given to them by the Secretary of State and acknowledged the decision to allow them to progress the submitted Local Plan 2034, rather than asking others to do so.

    The Council will ask the Head of Planning to prepare a timetable and provide adequate staff resources in order to meet the requirements of the Direction.

    Councillors now urge the Secretary of State to finalise the funding package for the Didcot Garden Town Housing Infrastructure Fund bid as soon as possible and to ensure that it includes appropriate sustainable walking and cycling infrastructure. 

    Council asked the Chief Executive, Mark Stone, to ensure that sufficient budget provision and staff resource is made available to fully explore all opportunities to address the council’s concerns and aspirations, particularly in relation to the delivery of regeneration and housing delivery to meet local needs, enhanced environmental policies and the council’s declared climate emergency.

    Councillor Leigh Rawlins, Cabinet Member for Planning said, “I am fully committed to working with partners, councillors and officers to deliver on our residents’ aspirations as we move forward.”

  • Government block lifted on local plan!

    THE Liberal Democrat and Green Party partnership at South Oxfordshire District Council have welcomed the news that the Government block on reviewing the new local plan has been lifted. 

    LibDems and Greens took power after the Conservatives were thrown out, losing 22 councillors last May. But the Secretary of State, MP Robert Jenrick, threatened to hand control of the South Oxfordshire local plan to the Conservative controlled County Council. 

    Cllr Sue Cooper with protestors agains OCC taking over the Local Plan – image courtesy of CPRE

    South Oxfordshire have been unable to discuss the plan publicly since a unique Government ban was put in place in October. That ban has now been lifted with a new directive allowing for an extended examination period agreed until the end of 2020 for changes to be considered. 

    Liberal Democrat Council Leader Sue Cooper said: “Preventing South Oxfordshire from discussing its own local plan was the wrong approach by the Government and we welcome the lifting of this block. Elected councillors can now propose the changes that are badly needed to this plan.” 

    “The recent vote by Oxfordshire County Council to take over the South Oxfordshire plan was an undemocratic power grab by Conservative and Labour councillors who still don’t accept that South Oxfordshire residents voted for new LibDem and Green councillors who have a mandate to put forward changes to the local plan.” 

    The Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Leigh Rawlins said: “During the inspection process, we will make full use of the usual methods to make our views known to the inspectors. In some cases these views will be critical of aspects of the submitted plan, while in no way affecting its overall viability. 

    “In addition, we will in due course submit proposed changes to the Inspectors, including but not limited to: 

    • Addressing the climate emergency 
    • Removing sites on sustainability, deliverability and soundness considerations 
    • Enhancing environmental standards for housing 
    • Improving the mix of housing to meet local needs 
    • Achieving high-quality, sustainable settlements 

    “Let’s keep planning local where it belongs, to deliver housing to meet local needs.” 

  • Housing minister accused of bullying

    THE non-party-political campaign group, A Better South Oxfordshire (ABSO), has responded to the latest threats of Housing Minister, Robert Jenrick MP, to take the emerging Local Plan 2034 out of the hands of the planning authority, SODC. 

     

    In his most recent letter to Sue Cooper, the Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, Jenrick stated that he is using government powers in Section 27 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to direct the council to progress the plan through examination to be adopted by December this year, and for senior council officers to report monthly to MHCLG officials on progress of the plan.  

    Robert Jenrick, Right Hon. Secretary of State Housing, Communities and Local Government

    In a statement today, ABSO said: “Yesterday, the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP, sent a letter to South Oxfordshire District Council directing the council to progress the plan through examination to be adopted by December this year, and for senior council officers to report monthly to MHCLG officials on progress of the plan, claiming that government powers in Section 27 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 gave him the authority to override SODC’s usual democratic decision making processes. 

    “We find Jenrick’s letter to be incredible in the truest sense of the word. 

    “Notwithstanding that the last five months delay is entirely due to Jenrick’s holding order and other disingenuities, it gives SODC ownership in name only of the Local Plan: they retain all responsibility and culpability whilst losing any authority and control over the plan. It is clearly setting SODC up as a scapegoat for any anger from betrayed voters.” 

    ‘Bullying’ 

    “Bullying now seems endemic, and perhaps agreed policy, of Johnson’s government – but we believe SODC should follow the example set at the weekend and stand up to Jendrick by refusing to comply with his instructions. If he attempts to remove Local Plan control from SODC we believe that they should seek a judicial review on Jenrick’s actions including a holding order on the plan and its examination in public until the review is complete. Any further delays would be therefore be entirely Jenrick’s fault as indeed the last five months of delay was entirely at his hand.” 

    Leader’s response 

    Cllr Cooper herself, in response to the latest letter, said: “It’s disappointing the Secretary of State has felt it necessary to intervene. However, the council remains committed to working constructively with the MHCLG and the Secretary of State as well as engaging productively with our partnerships across Oxfordshire.” 

    ‘Political posturing’ 

    The Lib Dem/Green administration at SODC believe that they are democratically obliged to change the Local Plan devised by the former, Conservative administration, because of concerns about overall housing numbers, the release of sensitive green belt sites and the Plan’s insufficient recognition of the climate and ecological emergency. This was a major factor in the change of control of South Oxfordshire District Council in May, from Conservative dominance to a Liberal Democrat – Green partnership, they contend.  

    But in a scathing report to Thame Town Council last night (Tuesday 03/03), County Cllr Nick Carter spoke about Oxfordshire County Council’s vote to take over control of the plan if invited to do so. He said: “However, we (himself and Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green) felt the best solution would be to allow SODC’s democratically elected Lib Dem administration the time to see sense, stop its political posturing, and enable the Local Plan to resume its progress through an independent examination.  

    “We felt this solution would be the only sure way to avoid scuppering more than £500m of future infrastructure investment for the rest of the county. Now that further time has elapsed, it seems that the Lib Dem & Green coalition at SODC is indeed going to fall into line, however reluctantly, with all the other district councils in Oxfordshire. We will refrain from saying “we told you so” until after it happens and this ridiculous row can finally blow over.” 

    Request for advice remains unanswered 

    Cllr Cooper’s request for guidance to the Minister in a previous letter: “On the understanding that you continue to view eLP2034 [the Local Plan]proceeding to inspection as the only possible way forward, it would help us if your officials could list some examples of the kinds of significant changes which would address our concerns that can be made as modifications during inspection,” has not so far been responded to by the Minister. 

    The Cabinet and Council meetings will go ahead as scheduled on Thursday, March 5, where councillors will receive a verbal update from senior officers.  

    **Councillors cannot consider the options set out in the officer’s report published with the meeting agenda due to the Secretary of State’s new direction. 

    LINK to previous posts

  • Too many offices being turned into sub-standard homes says councillor

    SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council are to call for a review on the wide-ranging impact of permitted development rights that allows offices to be converted into residential homes without planning permission. 

    District and Thame Town Councillor, Kate Gregory

    The Liberal Democrat District Councillor and Ward member for Thame,  Cllr Kate Gregory, who put forward the motion at the latest district council meeting,  said: “Currently developers do not have to contribute towards affordable housing or local infrastructure and there is no ability to consider whether the development provides suitable levels of amenity space, privacy or sunlight. 

    “We also have the issue with job loss space. When an office is converted to residential use office floor space is lost and in Thame alone, we have lost 654 jobs worth of office space since 2013. 

    “Permitted Development Rights effectively gives developers a free pass to create new homes of any type, of any quality in any location providing the building began its life as an office. 

    “Some of the horror stories include homes of just 13.7m2 and homes with no windows. When the office to residential change first came into place, I don’t believe this was the intention and it desperately needs reviewing.” 

    The Leader of the council will now write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to call for a review of the wide-ranging impacts of permitted development rights which allow change of use into residential homes.

  • Massive support for a safe cycling route to Haddenham from Thame

    A future off-road walking and cycling link between Thame and Haddenham has won overwhelming support from local residents and community groups.

    An online survey, which drew more than 2,000 responses, showed 94% of respondents would use an off-road walking and cycling route if one was introduced between Thame and Haddenham and Thame Parkway railway station.

    Buckinghamshire County Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Sustrans are currently investigating the feasibility and support for such a route between Thame and Haddenham, and the survey will feed into that study.

    The survey found that 82% of respondents said they currently travel between the station and Thame by car, van or motorcycle, while 5% said they cycle and 2% said they walk. Because of land-owner and Rights of Way issues around a cross-country ‘Greenway’, a route running alongside the A418 Aylesbury Road, on the other side of the hedge is being investigated and discussions with land-owners is on-going.

    The A418 currently acts as a major barrier to safe opportunities for walking and cycling between Haddenham and Thame. The delivery of an off-road walking and cycling route would reduce congestion on a heavily used part of the transport network by substantially increasing the potential for sustainable travel along this corridor. The route would also enable connections to the wider network of existing and proposed walking and cycling routes. 

    Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire County Council Deputy Leader and Transport Cabinet Member, said: “We canvassed local opinion because we wanted to know how people currently travel, and to assess whether it would be beneficial to pursue providing an off-road walking and cycling route. These are early days, but the results are encouraging.” 

    Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member Environment, which includes transport, said: “The survey results shows that there is a real appetite for the scheme and that residents are keen for a more sustainable way to travel between Thame and Haddenham. The results have been analysed by officers at Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and will now be used in progressing the scheme to the next stages. These are early stages for this scheme, but the survey uptake and results are encouraging.”

    Such a route between Thame and Haddenham is a long-standing and prime objective of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan. But discussions having been on-going long before the TNP publication, since before 2008. (See LINK)

    A summary of the survey results can be found at: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/cycling-and-walking/new-walking-and-cycling-routes/haddenham-and-thame-greenway Money for the scheme would come from the Housing and Growth Deal fund, and Section 106 funding.












    BCC/OCC External Stakeholder Update (February 2020):

    Haddenham and Thame Greenway – Scheme Update (February 2020)

    Buckinghamshire County Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Sustrans are investigating an aspirational off-road walking and cycling route between Haddenham and Thame Parkway Station and Thame, referred to as the Haddenham and Thame Greenway. This email forms the first bi-monthly scheme update that will be issued to the Parish/Town Councils and local interest groups, with the next scheme update proposed for end April 2020. 

     

    Online survey:

    An online survey on the Haddenham and Thame Greenway was conducted between 25th November and 9th December 2019. The purpose of this public engagement exercise was to help us understand how people currently travel between Haddenham & Thame Parkway Station and Thame and, in doing so, help us to assess whether it would be beneficial to introduce an off-road walking and cycling route between these locations.

     

    The online survey received a total of 2012 responses. The responses have now been analysed, a summary of the results has been published on a new designed webpage for the scheme:  https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/cycling-and-walking/new-walking-and-cycling-routes/haddenham-and-thame-greenway. 

     

    The results of this online survey will be considered as part of the progression of the Haddenham and Thame Greenway scheme, alongside other information, and the scheme webpage will be updated as further information becomes available. 

     

    Background work:

    Dedicated officers from both County Councils are working on the Haddenham and Thame Greenway scheme, and provisional funding is available for progressing background work.

     

    As part of this background work, Transport for Buckinghamshire has recently collected traffic speed and classification data at sites in the vicinity of Haddenham and Thame Parkway Station.  The data from these surveys shows the speed and type of vehicles travelling along these roads, and will be used to inform the scheme design work along this section.

     

    We will endeavour to keep you informed as the scheme progresses through the bi-monthly scheme updates.



  • Local Plan debacle latest

    THE Cabinet at South Oxfordshire District Council is set to consider a report regarding the progress of its Local Plan, which has been held up following a temporary direction issued by the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP, in October last year. 

    Discussions have been ongoing between the district council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government since last autumn regarding the Local Plan 2034, which is currently at Examination. 

    In February 2020, Oxfordshire County Council voted to accept any potential future invitation by the government to take control of the district council’s plan. 

    Cllr Sue Cooper, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Stripping us of our plan-making powers would take the ability to influence the Local Plan out of the hands of those who were elected to do just that. It would mean putting it in the hands of a council that has no democratic mandate to make local plans in South Oxfordshire, nor any experience of making this type of plan. 

    “The district council has endeavoured to engage in constructive discussions with officials at the Ministry throughout, an approach reciprocated by MHCLG officials. Following the most recent discussions, officers believe that the Secretary of State may now be minded to withdraw the temporary direction so Cabinet Members and Council can consider the new report at their meetings on March 5. 

    The report explains the current context and sets out two options that Cabinet could recommend to councillors at their Council meeting – to allow the plan to continue through the examination or to withdraw the plan.  

    The report also explains that if Cabinet recommends that councillors should withdraw the plan, it’s highly likely the Secretary of State would impose a new direction to prevent its withdrawal. In such an instance it would be highly likely to direct the plan to continue through examination, but in the hands of a council not elected to prepare a local plan.” 

    Cllr Cooper added, “The new report sets out all of the risks and benefits of each of the options, and I am very sure my colleagues in the Cabinet will discuss them thoroughly and as always come to a recommendation that has the best interests of South Oxfordshire residents at its heart.” 

    LINK HERE for previous article relating to this topic and HERE for more related posts

     

     

     

  • Parking enforcement in Thame!

    IN response to complaints about illegal parking in Thame Town Centre, Police Community Support Officers will now be carrying out more targeted enforcement. 

    This enforcement, supported by all the Town Councils in South Oxfordshire and South and Vale District Council, will begin imminently.

    The message to the public is to please park legally or you may be subject to an initial fine of £30. Illegal parking is not only dangerous but diverts precious police resources from their core role.

    In practice this means that some allotted PCSO time will be ring fenced to parking enforcement. Thame will be one area they will prioritise.

  • Invitation to Thame businesses to help Oxfordshire grow

    OXFORDSHIRE’S world profile is set to expand and grow in the coming decade and at Lord Williams’s School’s next business event, Richard Byard from OxLEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) will introduce the local industry strategy that aims to support business,  apprenticeship programmes and education to grow Oxfordshire’s world class profile. 

     The Science and Technology Facilities Council will share their experience of developing an apprenticeship scheme that produces ‘best in class’ technicians. 
     
    Any businesses that have an interest in developing employee potential, young talent and business growth, will find this talk of interest. 

    Lord Williams’s School is inviting local business to join the event on March 9, between 8am – 9.30am.  To book your place at the talk, contact  Nicky Stallwood, Careers Lead at Lord Williams’s School:  n.stallwood@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk 

  • Invitation to council’s Climate Emergency discussions

    SINCE South Oxfordshire District Council’s Climate Emergency Advisory Committee made its recommendations to the Council, it has set ambitious targets to become carbon neutral within its own operations by 2025 and have committed to becoming a carbon neutral district by 2030. 

    SODC’s Climate Emergency Advisory Committee


     The committee meetings happen regularly and everyone is invited to go along and to hear the discussions on how climate change is being tackled. 
     
    You can find out more information on the advisory committee and its work and what it’s doing to achieve its targets on the SODC website HERE