Category: More News

THE following planning recommendations were made by Thame Town Council’s planning committee, on Tuesday, May 13, 2008:
8458
P08/E0441 31 EAST STREET
Two storey and single storey extensions to rear.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8459
P08/E0453 15 OVERTON DRIVE
First floor side extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8460
P08/E0463 9 CHESHIRE ROAD
Two storey side extension and single storey front extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8461
P08/E0262 14 HIGH STREET
Use of part of the courtyard for a flower stall.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8462
P08/E0457 23 WELLINGTON STREET
Ground floor extension and internal alterations to an existing
veterinary surgery.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8463
P08/E0479 8 PUTMAN CLOSE
Single storey extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8464
P08/E0485 14 NELSON STREET
Conservatory to rear.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8465
P08/E0526/LB THE OLD BREW HOUSE, 24 HIGH STREET
Single storey rear extension. Formation of parking space with gates
and fence.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Comment: Subject to SODC Conservation Officer?s comments.

8466
P08/E0492 THE OLD BREW HOUSE, 24 HIGH STREET
Single storey rear extension. Formation of parking space with gates
and fence.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Comment: Subject to SODC Conservation Officer?s comments.

8467
P08/E0028 23 CLARENDON DRIVE
Converting existing study/garage space to one room.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Comment: The Committee regrets the loss of a garage and approval
is subject to 2 parking spaces being available.

8468
P08/E0434 51 CHURCHILL CRESCENT
Single storey rear extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8424
P07/E1669 CHURCH FARM, KINGSEY ROAD
Creation of a community football club comprising of a clubhouse,
floodlit main pitch and all weather training pitch, seven additional
pitches, car parking, new vehicular and pedestrian access with
associated earthworks
Amendment No 2 (as amended by drawings accompanying letter
from Agent dated 31 March 2008, amplified by noise report
accompanying letter from applicant dated 4 April 2008 and amended
by drawings accompanying letter from Agent dated 24 April 2008)
TTC made a unanimous recommendation for approval on the original
application.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has the highest proportion of female retained firefighters in the country, according to the latest available figures.
The figures, from March 2007, show women accounted for seven per cent (25 out of 332) of the total retained workforce – almost twice the national average of 3.6 per cent.

Thame fire station currently has three female firefighter, including recent recruits, Alison Haigh and Vickie Whitney, along with old-hand, Kirsten Purnell.

The Fire and Rescue service has stepped up its efforts to increase diversity as part of its recruitment drive in recent years, aiming to attract more women and people from minority ethnic groups across the county.

And with women currently accounting for 15 per cent of prospective recruits taking the basic retained firefighter courses, the upward trend looks set to continue.

Further work

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety Judith Heathcoat said: “This really is excellent news and demonstrates that the messages we are taking to communities across Oxfordshire are taking effect.
“But we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to encourage those who have not traditionally been attracted to a career in the Fire and Rescue service to come forward.”

In line with other parts of the UK, the proportion of full-time female firefighters in Oxfordshire is significantly lower, at 2.06 per cent, owing in part to the slower turn-over of staff in full-time positions.

Chief Fire Officer John Parry said: “Although perceptions are changing and stereotypes have been challenged, there is clearly further work to be done.
“The figures show we are ahead of the game and while we are obviously delighted by this, we will continue our efforts to appeal to as wide a cross-section of society in Oxfordshire as possible.”

Photo: Thame firefighter Kirsten Purnell, from Tiddington

As part of National Tackling Drugs Week, which starts on Monday (19/5), Thames Valley Police is highlighting its commitment and ongoing work to tackle drugs in its neighbourhoods.
Operation Falcon was launched in 2006 with the emphasis on partnership working and finding ways to tackle drug issues from different angles using the different authorities and services provided, as well us using enforcement such as arrests and drugs warrants.

Dr Shona Morrison, Force Drugs Coordinator, said: ?Reducing drug-related crime and offending continues to be a key Government priority. Thames Valley Police are committed to continue to help deliver this priority through the continuation of Operation Falcon.

?Falcon involves working closely with partner agencies, such as local Drug Action Teams (DATs), to address drug problems in the longer term. In all parts of Thames Valley police and partners have signed up to this shared approach to tackling drug supply and drug-related criminality.

?We aim to prevent displacement of drug markets and to encourage drug users into treatment. The Drugs Intervention Program (DIP) is the primary vehicle for this, which involves drug testing and assessing those arrested for specific offences, then ensuring that subsequent community sentences or prison terms involve access to relevant drug treatment.

?Drug enforcement in the Thames Valley is prioritised to deal swiftly with gangs and individual dealers who cause the greatest harm to the communities in which they operate. For instance, crack house legislation has now been enacted in every police Basic Command Unit (BCU) and neighbourhood officers receive regular updates of community concerns about drugs through Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs).

?We publicise successes in relation to enforcement and drug treatment referral with a view to reassuring the public that their concerns are being heard and are being tackled effectively. We are also using a range of communication techniques, such as leaflet drops, during and after drugs enforcement activity to provide the public with information and advice about the nature of the operation, and the agencies that can be contacted for further information or assistance.?

THE date of a by-election in Thame, brought about by the resignation of Conservative Town Cllrs Richard Walker and his wife Claire, has been announced.
The election will be held on Thursday, July 10,2008.

BOOKINGS are now being taken for the second Chilterns Local History Conference, on June 21.
The one day event which will reveal the latest information on the fascinating history of the making of the Chilterns landscape.
The Conference promises to be an interesting and informative day with a wide range of local and national experts giving audio-visual presentations.

The programme covers topics from woodland archaeology and historic landscapes to current issues such as the impact of climate change and recreation pressures on sensitive sites. A look into the future from a senior officer at English Heritage should provide a thought-provoking national perspective.

?Anyone who?s ever wondered what those lumps and bumps in the local wood are, or would like to learn more about the history of Chiltern landscapes, will find lots of interest at this event,? says Claire Forrest, Information Officer at the Chilterns Conservation Board.

The event is open to everyone. It is being held on June 21st at Buckinghamshire New University in Chalfont St Giles from 10am ? 3.30pm. Places cost

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council now has four new carton recycling banks in the district, including one at Thame Cattlemarket.
This means that these notoriously difficult to recycle Tetra Pak Cartons, paper-based drinks and liquid food cartons such as milk, fruit juice and soup cartons, can now be recycled.

The recycled material from the Tetra Pak Cartons is reused in products ranging from plasterboard liner to high-strength paper bags and envelopes.

Tetra Pak Cartons are made from cardboard, as well as thin layers of aluminium and plastic and cannot currently be recycled in SODC’s green recycling boxes.

For more information contact the Environmental Services Team at South Oxfordshire District Council on 01491 823416 or email: lowelle.bryan@southoxon.gov.uk

THAME District Guiding has issued an invitation to all ?retired? Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, Leaders and Helpers who have taken part in Guiding at the HQ in Southern Road, Thame, over the last 40 years, to a tea party.

The party is on Saturday, May 17, between 2pm and 5pm
in the Thame HQ.

Please bring along any mementos, photos and all your fun memories!

Adopt-a-brick scheme will be available for all who want to take part, as will a donation box.

DO you enjoy singing? Would you like to join a choir but are unsure if this one is for you?
Why not come and join us for a series of summer workshops? We will be singing a variety of music, trying out some different pieces, having some refreshments and generally having a good time.

A great chance to have a go; no auditions, no pressure to join ? just come for the fun!

If you would like to come along, we meet in the function barn at the Three Horse Shoes, Towersey, on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm-9.30pm.

We will be meeting on May 21st, June 4th and June 18th.

Come and give us a try!

If you are interested in finding out more about us, have a look at our website at: LINK

THE Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the Composting Association will be encouraging everyone to ‘Green up their Environment’ during Compost Awareness Week, which runs from Sunday, May 4 to Saturday, May 10.
South Oxfordshire District Council?s Garden Waste service says that it now collects from 14,500 households throughout the district and that all the garden waste collected by the council is composted locally and then used as fertiliser to improve local farmland.

The authority says that the scheme has so far prevented nearly 8,080 tonnes from going to landfill and will be giving away free compost to residents on Saturday May 10, between 11am and 3pm at the council?s office in Crowmarsh Gifford, to encourage more people to home compost.

Composting not only benefits the environment, but is also a great free way to help gardens grow.

For more information about Compost Awareness Week visit LINK

For more information about recycling and garden waste, call the district council on 01491 823000 or email: info@southoxon.gov.uk

THE following are Planning Applications Considered by Thame Town Council?s Planning Committee on Tuesday, April 29.

8454
P08/E0421/LB 12/12A CORNMARKET
Construction of 11 x 2 bedroom and 1 x 3 bedroom mews cottages.
Provision of integral toilet for shop and restoration work.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
i) No access for emergency vehicles.
ii) Over-development for such a narrow restricted site.
iii) Unsympathetic to the area.
iv) No parking.

8455
P08/E0420 12/12A CORNMARKET
Construction of 11 x 2 bedroom and 1 x 3 bedroom mews cottages.
Provision of integral toilet for shop and restoration work. Replace
existing wooden entrance gates with wrought iron gates.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
i) No access for emergency vehicles.
ii) Over-development for such a narrow restricted site.
iii) Unsympathetic to the area.
iv) No parking.

8456
P08/E0431 6 RUPERT WAY
Extension to the front of the property. First floor over existing integral
garage. Creating ensuite and study.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
i) Over-development of the front of the property.
ii) Design not in keeping with the area.
iii) Loss of light.
8457

P08/E0363 6 PENNINGTON PLACE
Single storey extension to rear of property.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL