Author: Sonja Francis

THE ruling Tories at South Oxfordshire District Council have been accused of threatening local democracy following their decision to Chair the council’s Scrutiny Committee themselves.
In a press release today, entitled, “Democracy Compromised at SODC as Tories Decide to Scrutinise Themselves!”, David Turner, Liberal Democrat Group Leader at SODC, wrote the following:-
“The ruling Tory Group on SODC, in a display of complete arrogance, have decided to take the chairmanship of the Scrutiny Committee for community related items and services. This committee checks on decisions of the Cabinet. When the Liberal Democrats were the ruling group they made sure that the opposition Tory Group chaired the Scrutiny Committee, as they believed that you should not be in charge of the committee which scrutinises your own decisions. Sadly the Tories do not share this view.

All four opposition groups (Liberal Democrats, Henley Residents, Labour and Independents) opposed this anti democratic move that had not happened before in South Oxfordshire. There is an old saying that “government is only as good as its opposition.” The Tories are now trying to gag opposition as much as it can. What are they afraid of that they feel they need to go down this undemocratic route? This was a sad day for democracy and has soured the relationships between the groups who have been trying hard to work together for the benefit of South Oxfordshire residents.”

THAME and District Twinning Association now have their new website up and running.
The new site includes useful contact information as well as news, photographs and future events that the organisation are planning.

www.thametwinning.org.uk

KALEEM Saeed, Labour?s Candidate for Henley for the coming General Election, criticised, has criticised Boris Johnson?s recent comments on the Community Rail Partnership proposed by the Strategic Rail Authority for the Henley-Twyford line. Johnson’s accusations that the SRA is treating the line as if it were ‘rural’ and that the reference to sustainability conceals a threat to cut the line, said Kaleem, “are alarmist and show his failure to study the proposals.”

Kaleem states that ?If he had visited the SRA website (www.sra.gov.uk/passengers/community), Boris would have seen that the proposals refer to ‘local and rural lines’ and that a very substantial number of the 56 lines included are branch lines used by commuters. The reason for their inclusion is based not on a financial analysis – which has not yet been made – but on their value to a well-defined community and on the specialised nature of their traffic. They therefore have both the ability and the opportunity to profit from flexibility, without implications for the rest of the rail network. The Henley-Twyford line is undoubtedly well placed on both these counts, and the proposals are not a threat but an opportunity.

“This is another example of how Boris has failed to spend time understanding the key issues which effect his Henley constituency and its people. Clearly his other commitments prevent him from doing this and have clouded his judgement.”

THIS year?s Christmas Green Fayre has been hailed a great success by the organisers, Thame and Chinnor Friends of the Earth.
Spokesperson, Maureen Dyrof, told Thame.News :?Lots of good cheer surrounded the whole event, helped along by the free mulled wine and 150, free lucky dip prizes given out to children.
?We had a great response to our collections of old spectacles, mobile phones and foil, stamps and cash for Oxfam and batteries for safe disposal. The message was ?Christmas doesn?t have to cost the earth?.?
Labels for re-using old Christmas cards were on sale as well as lots of re-cycled gifts, like pencil cases made from old rubber tyres and pens made from old vending cups. Maureen added :?We managed to obtain 150 signatures to a petition to persuade Oxfordshire County Council to choose more environmentally sound options for the disposal of our mounting waste and to reject the use of incinerators (They decide next Spring).
?Our plea to the public is to put the re-cycling and reducing of your rubbish at the top of your New Year resolutions.?
The Christmas Green Fayre raised

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a traffic incident on the A329, Stadhampton, today (15/12).

At around 7am, a red Vauxhall Nova rolled and came to rest on the road near to the Oxfordshire Golf Club. The driver and passenger, both men, were taken to the JR2 Hospital, Oxford with non life threatening injuries.

The road was closed for around one hour in both directions while recovery of the vehicles took place.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact PC Abigail Derbyshire at Thame police station, via 0845 8 505 505. If you don?t want to speak to police and don?t want to leave your name contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

THAME Town and County Councillor, David Laver, who was nominated by Oxfordshire County Council, is now a member of the new Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Conservation Board.
The Board was one of the first in the country to be set up and was launched at Blenheim Palace this week by David Coleman from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Cllr Laver said that he was unsure at firtst about putting his name forward for nomination in that he does not represent a Chiltern Division on the Council.
“However,” he said, “as someone with a lifelong interest in nature and environmental conservation and a past association with the Chilterns, I felt I could make a contribution to this new body.”
Cllr Laver added: “It was made clear in speeches at the the launch that Board members are not essentially there as representatives but need to be aware of the wider remit of the Conservation Board in conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB for the benefit of both its residents and the many visitors who we hope will be able to enjoy its many charms.”

PUPILS from Lord Williams’s Lower school have raised over

THAME Chamber Choir helped bring a seasonal atmosphere to this year’s Christmas Green Fayre, when they sang carols to the hard-working stall holders and visitors to the event on Saturday.
(Photograph by Bill McCarthy)