Category: More News

THE Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) has agreed a new bonus scheme to increase recycling in the county and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

The new deal will supplement existing recycling credits within the county. Under the new scheme the county’s five waste collection authorities (WCAs) face performance bonuses or penalties, depending on how much waste they collect for landfill disposal.

The OWP has agreed annual residual waste targets through to 2020, which have been set to ensure that their Joint Waste Strategy targets are met. Each WCA receives the same residual waste allocation per household per year. If a WCA betters its target, then it receives a bonus payment for each tonne below that target. Equally, if a WCA exceeds its residual waste allowance then it pays a penalty for each tonne above its target. The bonus and penalty payments are set at half the value of a recycling credit.

WCAs will continue to receive a recycling credit for every tonne of waste that they recycle or compost, but from April 2009 this will be overlain by the new bonus and penalty scheme. Wayne Lewis, OWP Coordinator said: “We’ve worked hard to develop a system that provides greater incentives for WCAs to reduce waste, while also trying to keep things simple and affordable.”

CAMPAIGN: Human rights activist, Hu Jia, has been charged with ‘inciting subversion’, in what appears to be the latest attempt by the Chinese authorities to silence domestic activists? public criticism of China’s human rights record.
Hu Jia has been denied access to his lawyer, members of his family and medical treatment, including necessary daily medication for liver disease resulting from Hepatitis B infection.
His wife, Zeng Jinyan, is still under house arrest with their newborn baby. She is not permitted to leave their home and her telephone line and internet connection have been cut.

Update: 3 April 2008
According to reports activist Hu Jia has been convicted of “inciting subversion” and sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison as a wave of repression against activists continues.
Send an appeal to the Chinese authorities to release Hu Jia immediately:
WU Aiying Buzhang – Minister of Justice
Sifabu
10 Chaoyangmen NandajieChaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People’s Republic of China
Fax: 0086 10 65292345

CHINA CAMPAIGN
There is concern that, despite commitments made by the Chinese authorities that hosting the Olympic Games would be an opportunity to develop human rights, the last 7 years has seen few substantial reforms taking place.

Get involved by sending for the China Activists Kit which gives information on the campaign, individual case sheets, plus guidance on letter writing and postcard campaigns.
The kit can be obtained by emailing: china@amnesty.org.uk or activism@amnesty.org.uk

Is there anyone out there who would like to take over the Thame Amnesty website? Please get in touch with Owen Davies.

MARY Blyth, a 77-year-old grandmother from Thame, has taken up the challenge set by Cecily?s Fund of covering 10,000 miles to raise money for children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia, Southern Africa.
As part of its tenth anniversary celebrations, Cecily?s Fund aims to raise money and awareness through sponsored walks, bike rides, runs and swims covering a total of 10,000 miles, the approximate distance of a route from Oxford to Lusaka, Zambia?s capital city. The campaign was launched in December last year, with a troupe of Oxfordshire Scouts, Beavers and Cubs taking part in the debut walk on World AIDS day.

Mary has responded to this challenge with enthusiasm and will contribute one amazing mile to the grand total by swimming 64 lengths of the Jubilee pool in Thame.

Cecily?s Fund was founded in 1998 in memory of Oxfordshire teenager, Cecily Eastwood, who died in a road accident the previous year whilst volunteering with orphaned and vulnerable children in Zambia.

Caroline Horne, Cecily’s Fund Manager, says ?It is wonderful that Mary has responded to our 10,000 mile challenge with such enthusiasm. The money which is raised through her swim will make a vital difference to so many children in Zambia. It costs just

FOLLOWING on from yesterday’s report about the annual town meeting on Tuesday (22/04), here is a summary of the rest of the meeting, including news from the NAG (Neighbourhood Action Group) plus the need to invigorate the Thame and District Twinning Association:
? The NAG aims to ‘engineer out’ problems of anti-social behaviour i.e. Elms Park (which is one of itspriorities) – the police want to close off access atthe rear of the park and have only one entrance so that they can ‘trap’ those misbehaving, who
sometimes escape from the police when they arrive.
? Reasons identified by NAG for the above problems in Elms park, boredom, access to alcohol, absence of a fear of consequences, lack of patrolling (though, PCSOs are engaging with the youth there said Peter Butt, Facilitator of the local NAG), lack of
surveillance – discussing the possibility of sharing a mobile CCTV unit with other towns.
Wants clear signage of the rules in the park, and proposed council employs a park warden.
? The three main priorities for the NAG are, lack of youth provision (ED interesting, considering the lack of progress with a youth shelter or motorcycle track (the latter, said the Town Clerk, because the land currently being used unofficially by the
youngsters, is privately owned and because it is on an old rubbish tip, would need money to make suitable), under-age drinking and vandalism.

? Thame Twinning Association – want to get more young people involved; Nigel Champken-Woods emphasised that people should not be afraid to get involved just because they are unable to host visitor from Montesson themselves; he said that although the organisation is currently almost skint, the group will find money somehow but the main priority is to “inject more life” into it.
“Unless we get more support,” he said, “we will struggle to carry on.”
? He invited anyone interested in finding out more to go to the AGM at the town hall on May 22, 7.30pm.

Open Questions:

? County Cllr Nick Carter, promised to look into the possible installation of lights or even moving, the Zebra crossing outside ‘Sapphire Moon’, following a submission from the floor that it is dangerous.

? District Cllr Ann Midwinter said that SODC had discussed the ending of the post of Health Walk Co-ordinator, which ended in March. Mary Stiles, who raised the question, praised the work of the organisation but feared that further walks were
unlikely to be organised.

MORE ON MONDAY

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.

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.

8456
P08/E0431 6 RUPERT WAY
Extension to the front of the property. First floor over existing
integral garage. Creating ensuite and study.

8457
P08/E0363 6 PENNINGTON PLACE
Single storey extension to rear of property.

THAME Town Council has recommended refusal of an Outline Planning application for over 90 homes on the old Thame United ground in Windmill Road, Thame.
After hearing from several residents in the area particularly concerned about an increase in traffic at the juction of Windmill Road with Nelson Street, the council’s planning committee decided that the plans would mean over-development of the site, would cause problems with traffic generation, parking and safety, and that there is a lack of adequate sewage and drainage provision in the area.
The sale and development of this land is vital to create funds for the building of a new stadium and facilities on the Church farm site, next to the Thame by-pass.

A decision about the application for Windmill Road, from South Oxfordshire District Council, who are the planning authority for the Thame, is not expected before June.

Photo: The hallowed turf of Thame United, now demolished, that developers hope will become new housing for Thame.

FOR the sixth year in a row, our French friends from Montesson are coming to stay in Thame for a weekend in May, and the Twinning Association is looking for a few more local people to put up one or two (mostly adult) guests.
The dates for the visit are three nights from Thursday, May 8, through to Sunday afternoon, May 11th.

On Friday the visitors will be going to Brighton for the day on their own coach so will require meeting at the town hall on Friday evening, given an evening meal before retiring for the night.

The Association have a full programme for them on Saturday, which hosts may join in if they like, and on Sunday, a group lunch is provided at Thame town hall, before they are waved off home at around 2pm.

This is fun weekend with our twinning friends who, in most cases, have some English language skills, and a chance to perhaps brush up your own French, or to just take part in a cultural experience that could mean a return visit to Montesson, near Paris, in September.

To offer accommodation or for more information, contact David Laver on 01844 212753.

FOR second year running, the 21st Thame Partnership is organising a bike event for buying, selling or swapping bicycles.
Also on hand at the event, called ‘All about bikes’, will be the Bike Repair van and Thames Valley Police to postcode your bike.

The date for ‘All about bikes’ at Lord Williams?s Lower School Sports Hall Car Park, off Queens Road, is Saturday, April 19, 10am to 12 noon.

If you are selling a bike, the organisers say to please bring it labeled with price and contact details.

For more information contact: Alison Isherwood on 01844 215215 or email her on: ai@21stcenturythame.org.uk

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. 1
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Comment: This was a unanimous recommendation.

8437
P08/E0213/A
(Advertisement Consent) THE SIX BELLS, 43 HIGH STREET
Erection of 7 signs and replacement floodlighting.
Amendment No. 1
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8438
P08/E0214/LB THE SIX BELLS, 43 HIGH STREET
Replacement public house signage and external lighting.
Amendment No. 1
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8445
P08/E0324/0 FORMER THAME UNITED FC GROUND, WINDMILL ROAD
(deferred from 1.4.08. meeting)
Outline residential development.
Correspondence was received and noted from the Thame
Conservation Area Advisory Committee, Nos 9, 20 & 24 Nelson
Street, 74 Southern Road and 1 & 16 Windmill Road.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Over-development of the site
2. Traffic generation, parking and safety
3. Lack of adequate sewage/drainage provision

8448
P08/E0347 THE HAWTHORNS, MORETON
Two-storey gable extension, and single-storey extension.
Correspondence was received and noted from the Thame
Conservation Area Advisory Committee.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8449
P08/E0322 30 LUDSDEN GROVE
Side car port.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8450
P08/E0372 17 COOMBE HILL CRESCENT
Conservatory to rear of property.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8451
P08/E0350 CHINNOR RUGBY CLUB, KINGSEY ROAD
Erection of two-storey extension to include disabled access lift to
the communal area, disabled toilet, club shop and store.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8452
P08/E0381 31 TOWERSEY DRIVE
Single storey rear extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8453
P08/E0403 29 TOWERSEY DRIVE
Single storey rear extension.
RECOMMMEND APPROVAL

THIS is the latest neighbourhood update for the Thame neighbourhood policing area, provided by PCSO Diane Greenwood:
During March the neighbourhood policing team set up an operation to monitor all HGVs driving through Watlington which has a seven and a half tonne weight limit. This operation was set over a few days with the result of 10 lorries being stopped and nine having a work sheet for the area, which means that they had permission to enter the limited area. This operation will be continued and monitored.

Over the Easter period an operation was undertaken to patrol the three beauty spots in the area, Aston Hill, Cowleaze, and Watlington Hill, when in previous years these places have suffered from incidents of car crime. This operation was set up to cover all of the Easter period in the areas which would be heavily used and, despite the heavy snow storms they were in full use.

We are glad to report we had no reported crimes in these areas during this time, but we did use the opportunity to give advice to people who left expensive equipment on display despite the car crime notices around the areas.

During March, in an attempt to tackle underage drinking, an operation visiting off-licenses and other licensed premises in the Thame area were tested in co-operation with South Oxfordshire Council licensing department. This was to ensure that the premises were abiding by their licences and not selling alcohol to underage youths. As a result of these visits two premises were forced to close for a Saturday evening. Similar operations will continue around the Thame Area.

We receive regular updates from the Ridgeway national trails and the analysis of motor vehicle traffic over the past four years shows that the Icknield Way section has dropped considerably and believes that traffic which is using this section is mainly legal users. The local PCSOs in these areas do patrol the Ridgeway but we encourage other user?s to call 0845 8 505 505 if they come across any motor vehicle on the Ridgeway as soon as possible.

On May 4, officers from the neighbourhood policing team will be available to post code bicycles during a Bring and Buy Bike Sale being held at the Fire Station in Watlington between 11am and 1pm.

A police surgery held at Lewknor on 12 March went ahead despite an error in the local magazine of the actual date. We had some residents who attended and came to us with a few concerns which were all noted and these concerns will now be acted on. Future dates will be set for another surgery in Lewknor but any issues of concern can be put forward at the Watlington police surgery which is being held on April 16 between 4pm and 7pm at the local parish council offices in Old School Lane.

The Thame neighbourhood team are in the process of bringing back the Countrywatch scheme. Countrywatch has been designed to be the rural version of Neighbourhood Watch with a focus on farming and agricultural premises.
Local officers will be contacting these premises in due course to discuss the Countrywatch program.

If anyone wants any crime reduction advice please call us on 0845 8 505 505 and ask to speak to your local crime reduction advisor who can provide free crime reduction advice including home surveys.

For more information on your local neighbourhood team visit, www.thamesvalley.police.uk or to speak to a member of the team, call 0845 8 505 505.