THAME.NET is inviting all the local candidates for Election 2015, for a short profile. The following are from from Bob Austin and Catherine Jones, who are both standing as Independent candidates in the Thame South Ward, in the Parish Council elections, on May 7.
Catherine Jones and Bob Austin
CATHERINE JONES: I moved to Thame in 1994 when my husband left the army. Having lived in numerous places we decided to settle in Thame, because of the delightful town centre, the good schools and the real feeling of community that we found here. It is a decision I have never regretted for a second. I have three children who were educated at John Hampden School and Lord Williams’s – two of whom still live locally.
I left school at 18 and was an army officer for 8 years. When I had to give up my career for family reasons, I started writing books. To date I have had 18 published – 2 non-fiction works and 16 novels.
I have always believed in giving back what I owe to organisations or communities that have helped or supported me and my family. I was a very active member of the John Hampden PTA and was on the Schoolhouse 2000 committee. I was also on the committee of the Romantic Novelists’ Association for 10 years, serving as secretary, PR officer, vice-chairman and, finally, chairman. Now I want to serve on the local council so I can repay something to this wonderful town.
I am standing as an independent so I can make my own decisions about what I feel might be best for the town. I am keen to see Thame grow and develop but within the structure of our agreed neighbourhood plan so we don’t lose our terrific town centre, its sense of community and its vibrancy – all the things that attracted me here over twenty years ago.
BOB AUSTIN: MY primary objective as a councillor will be to focus on the maintenance of Thame’s character as a market town in a period when that character is under threat from potential, misplaced, overdevelopment. That character must include the continued vitality of the town centre – a vitality that is being threatened by the prospect of an edge of town superstore.
I also want to ensure that Thame’s infrastructure will meet future demands as development happens and not when it’s too late. Parking is a priority for the Town and District Councils and we need to ensure that the County Council provides adequate health and education facilities for the growing number of residents.
I have been a resident in Thame for 28 years and brought up a family with my wife, Jenny. After a career as a Chartered Accountant, Finance Director and Chief Executive, I am now retired but endeavour to keep busy. I have a keen interest in Archaeology and obtained a degree from Reading University as a mature student. Also, since retirement I have worked, for a period, as a volunteer adviser at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and as a Teaching Assistant at Lord Williams’s School- until part time child minding of grandchildren came to the fore. I am Chairman of the East Thame Residents Association and a member of the steering group of the ‘Thame Centre First Campaign’.
A controversial planning application to build 37 new homes on land at The Elms, Upper High Street, Thame, will be considered by South Oxfordshire District Council’s planning committee on April 22, when Planning Officers are expected to recommend that the committee approves the application.
Meadow land at ‘The Elms’ where 37 new homes are being proposed
After acknowledging the large number of objections lodged against the plan, including objections from English Heritage and the Conservation Officer, the Planning Officer, Emily Hamerton, concludes:
” However the site is allocated within the TNP for up to 45 dwellings. The site is in a sustainable location within the town centre and proposes a high quality contemporary design. In addition this development will deliver 40% affordable housing, improvements to the park and will mitigate any impact through the S106 contributions. Therefore balancing all these issues, I am recommending that planning permission is approved.”
If SODC follows the advice of its officers and gives the plan the go-ahead, such a decision will fly in the face of the recommendation made by Thame Town Council, to refuse the application (See LINK for report and the reasons for Thame Town Council’s recommendation to refuse the application) and would be against the views of a petition group of several hundred signatures, and many other objections lodged against the plan.
Cllr Mary Stiles will be speaking at the meeting on behalf of Thame Town Council and there are expected to be several more representations made against the plan, as well as representations for the applicant, Simon Vickers, who owns the land at The Elms.
The meeting will start at 6pm in Wallingford Town Hall, Market Place, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 0EG. The full agenda and all related papers can be found HERE
A copy of the officer’s report can be read on SODC’s website SEE LINK
Anyone wishing to speak at this meeting must apply by 12 noon on April 21, by emailing: planning@southoxon.gov.uk
Full details of this application can be found on SODC’s website HERE
NOW that the lists of candidates for the Elections 2015 have been published, Thame.Net is inviting all the candidates for a short profile, and the first are from the two Labour candidates for both Thame District and Town Council, Mary Stiles (Thame North Ward) and Tristram Maclean (South Ward).
Mary Stiles (left) and Tristram Maclean
MARY Stiles has lived in Thame for 46 years, now retired from a 40 year career in education. She was elected as a Thame Town Councillor in 2011, having previously served as a councillor on both TTC and SODC between 1995 and 2003. She is active in and supported by the Co-operative movement and currently is working hard as a town councillor to investigate the possibility of co-operative housing schemes.
Mary is a trustee of three local charities, Chair of a school governing body, Chair of the local Children’s Centre advisory group and a Director of the local partnership, 21st Century Thame. Having worked with young people for much of her working life, Mary was appalled when the Thame Youth Centre closed in 2011 and the qualified youth worker was made redundant. Having secured a one-off grant from Thame Town Council, she is now delighted that the Youth Café is open one day a week after school, but she would much prefer to see a county youth service reinstated in Thame and the surrounding villages.
Married to Colin, she has two daughters, who both attended Thame schools before moving elsewhere for university and work. In her spare time Mary enjoys spending time with her family, theatre visits, reading, walking and the latest exercise craze – Zumba!
TRISTRAM Maclean is a retired senior police officer. After leaving Scotland Yard he worked as an adviser delivering police reform in Africa. He has now settled in Thame; he has two children at Lord Williams’s and he runs a security business in the town. Tristram wants to play a part in preserving the character and integrity of the town. Like Mary, he is part of the Co-operative movement.
Tristram’s goal is to increase local accountability – he would like the abandoned councillor surgeries to be restored and he wants to see a greater transparency about the Council’s work. He has declared his opposition to the Elms planning application and pledges to provide a voice for local residents in the decision process. He argues that the Neighbourhood Plan was rushed out too fast, and the Elms is just the most prominent example of how residents are not being listened to.
A Thame solicitor will, today (April 14), be sworn in as the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, the oldest secular office in the country outside of the monarchy.
Tom Birch-Reynardson
Tom Birch Reynardson, who lives in Adwell, near Thame, will take over from Tony Stratton, and serve for a year. He served under Tony as Under Sherrif.
Tom was brought up in South Oxfordshire and founded the law firm, Birch Reynardson & Co, which has an office in both Thame and London. He is a solicitor specialising in international law and is a trustee of the Comité Maritime Internationale Charitable Trust, which promotes education in international law.
He is married to Imogen and has four children.
You can read more about the history of the office, and the duties of a modern High Sherriff here: LINK
ALL the names of the candidates for the general election 2015, for the Henley Constituency (which includes Thame) have now been published, and they are:
Sue Cooper – Liberal Democrats
John Howell – Conservative Party
Christopher Jones – UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Sam Juthani – Labour Party
Mark Stevenson – Green Party
The candidates for the Parish Council elections for Thame, Also on May 7, are as follows:
Thame North Ward
David BRETHERTON – Independent
Don BUTLER – Conservative
Peter William BUTLER – UKIP Nigel Guy CHAMPKEN WOODS – Conservative Paul Francis COWELL – Independent Adrian James Ambrose DITE – Independent Nichola Mary DIXON – Conservative Michael L DYER – Conservative Mary Honora STILES – Labour Tom WYSE – Independent
Thame South Ward
Bob AUSTIN – Independent
Carol Elizabeth BRADBROOK TAYLOR – Independent
Mike DEACOCK – Conservative
David William DODDS – Conservative
Linda Elsie EMERY – Independent
Helena Mary FICKLING – Independent
Richard GRAYDON – UKIP
Catherine JONES – Independent
Peter Christopher LAMBERT – Independent
Tristram Gordon MACLEAN – Labour
Ann MIDWINTER – Independent
Ergul SAHIN – Conservative
All the Thame Candidates for the Thame ward District Council elections on the same day, can be found here: LINK
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Thame.
Between 10pm Friday (10/04) and 6.30am Saturday (11/04) offender(s) forced access to a property in Cedar crescent, by smashing glass to the conservatory at the rear of the property. Nothing appears to have been taken.
If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message please call the police on 101.
Alternatively if you have any information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
AFTER the quick thinking of a home owner averted a BBQ fire spreading to the thatch roof of a cottage at Tiddington, near Thame, a fire officer has warned of the importance of checking BBQ equipment after long periods of non-use.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue were called at 18:13 on Friday, April 10, to a BBQ that had caught fire, involving the gas cylinder that fuelled it. Two fire engines from Thame and Wheatley were quickly on scene and found that the fire had been extinguished by the owner, stopping the flames from going near the thatch roof of the property. The owner had also isolated the gas cylinder.
“This prompt action kept the fire from spreading, but this did put the owners at an increased risk of burns,” said CM Terry Williams from Thame fire station. “Cylinders that have been exposed to heat can also explode.”
He warned: “It is extremely important at this time of year to make sure all barbecue equipment is working properly before it is used and that all residents are aware of the dangers of using both gas and charcoal barbecues, especially after long periods of non-use. The rubber hoses for Gas BBQ’s can perish if it has been exposed to sunlight or frost over the winter period. This incident could have led to a much larger fire, so I would urge people to follow my advice below:”
Tips for gas barbecues:
· read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to check for leaks in the cylinder or pipework
· make sure your barbecue is in good working order
· make sure the tap is off before changing the gas cylinder and do it in the open air
· don’t over-tighten joints
· when you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before you turn off the barbecue controls – this way any residual gas in the pipes will be used up
· don’t keep more cylinders than you need
· gas cylinders should be kept outside, away from direct sunlight and frost
· change cylinders outdoors if possible or in a well-ventilated area
Tips for all BBQ’s
· make sure your barbecue is standing on a flat surface and away from buildings, fences, trees and sheds
· never use petrol or paraffin to start, or re-ignite your barbecue
· use only barbecue fire lighters or starter fuel on cold coals
· be careful with fatty foods and never poor oil onto meat when it is cooking
· if you’re the chef try not to drink too much alcohol whilst cooking
· keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby
· keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area
· don’t leave the barbecue unattended
· never use a barbecue indoors or in an enclosed space – a warm, smouldering barbecue gives of plenty of poisonous carbon monoxide – if used indoors or an enclosed space carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels very quickly
· after you have finished cooking, extinguish the burning coals – leave for a period of time and then check that the fire is completely out
· make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it
· never put hot ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin – they could melt the plastic and cause a fire
Remember always dial 999 for the Fire and Rescue Service immediately, if anything goes wrong.
THAME’S Neighbourhood Policing Team, in its latest Neighbourhood update, has announced that PCSO Chris Hollis is leaving his current role to join Thames Valley Police as a Police Constable.
Throughout March, the team reports that it has continued to monitor illegal parking in Thame and has been issuing parking tickets to offending vehicles. Parking on double yellow lines carries a fine of £30 and parking on zigzags at crossings is £60 plus three penalty points.
During the same period, a spate of vehicle break-ins has continued, and items stolen, particularly most recently, a number of incidents where high value fishing tackle has been stolen. Local officers report that it is often the case that these vehicles had been left insecure. “We urge residents to double check their vehicles, leave nothing on display, and remove any valuable items”, said PCSO Diane Jackson. “Please report any suspicious incidents via the police non-emergency number 101, or in an emergency 999,” she added.
There have been more garage and shed breaks in the area and so local officers are urging everyone to please be vigilant, and consider installing garage defenders and shed alarms.
PCSOs from the Thame NHPT have been joining forces with Oxford Fire Station, Safer Schools and other partner agencies to help with Junior Citizen Day, when students from local schools are invited to participate in health and safety exercises. The exercises include internet safety, railway crossings and home safety including having a chance to experience and carry out a 999 call. “This is always a valuable learning exercise,” said Diane, “and the children really enjoy the whole day.”
Rural crime is an area that keeps local officers busy, and this month they have been continuing to patrol our rural areas, working closely with land owners to combat illegal hare coursing and other poaching activities.
If you’re a user of social media, you can now keep tabs on where Neighbourhood Officers are and what’s happening in the town via twitter @tvpsouthandvale
You can read the whole of April’s Neighbourhood update, and those for previous months, at the Thames Valley Police website: LINK HERE
LOUD applause from a packed town hall greeted a decision by Thame Town Council last night (07/04) to recommend refusal of amended plans for land at The Elms, in Upper High Street, Thame.
Local people begin filing in to the council chamber
Feelings were running high in some sections of the public gallery, during representations from Tom Marianczak of the ‘elmspetition group’ as well as from representatives of the applicant, Simon Vickers, and from the town council’s Planning consultant, Jane Dann, from Tibbalds.
Speaking first, Tom Marianczak explained that the signatories of The Elms petition were against ‘any and all development’ of The Elms for several reasons, including environmental, sustainability, conservation and traffic issues. After expressing some criticism of the source material quoted in the Planning Consultant’s report to support its reasons for recommending approval of the plan, Tom told councillors: “We (the elmspetition group) are horrified at the blatant flouting of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan. Three storey houses, development to the south of The Elms house, removal of mature specimen trees and detrimental effects on Thame Conservation Area.”
He went on to quote both English Heritage, who are critical the plans, and SODC’s Conservation Officer, Samantha Allen, who has stated that: “This proposal, as revised, over develops the site constituting harm to the setting of the listed buildings and the character and appearance of this unique open space within the Thame Conservation Area.” (You can read Tom’s full meeting-statement-07-04-15)
Jolande Bowater, of Barton Willmore, speaking on behalf of Simon Vickers, the owner The Elms, explained the amendments that had been made to the original plans, after consultation with South Oxfordshire District Council. As well as the reduction in the number of houses, from 45 down to 37, the amendments included changes to the layout of the site, changes to the mix of properties of 1/2 bed houses, apartments and 3/4 bed houses; 14 ‘affordable’ homes; more public open space; landscape changes; relocation of the vehicular access to protect trees; changes to cycleway and footpath links and simplifying the drawing of proposed enhancements to Elms Park itself, which will be left to local people through consultation to decide.
She concluded: “We believe that these plans represent a development of the highest quality that will deliver a whole range of benefits to this town.”
Presenting her report, Jane Dann explained the planning policies pertinent to the acceptance or otherwise of the plan. These included that; the application site (Land at the Elms) is allocated in the TNP for up to 45 homes; that the application site is within the Thame Conservation Area and so matters of ‘Heritage impact’ are important i.e. the setting of The Elms and The Barn, both Grade II Listed buildings, in the plans; matters of design; Overlooking; Height and mass, and views. (You can read the full report HERE)
Jane’s conclusion in the report is basically that, of the key issue of Heritage, ‘significant’ harm would result from the proposed plans but not ‘substantial’ harm, and that this harm would be outweighed by the ‘public benefit’ that would be gained from the development i.e. more public open space, new views, cycle links etc.
In a statement today, the town council said: “Although some additional public benefit had accrued through the latest plans, Thame Town Council continued to recommend refusal, as the plans still do not go far enough to meet the requirements of the Neighbourhood Plan.
“The discussion points that were identified as in potential conflict with the full requirements of the Neighbourhood Plan were:
– three storey town houses versus suggested 2 – 2.5 storey height
– insufficient affordable housing
– building outside the preferred boundary
– traffic movement – particularly during construction
– sensitivity of the Conservation Area”
The council voted unanimously to recommend refusal of the plans. They will now go before South Oxfordshire District Council’s Planning committee on April 22, when Town Cllr Mary Stiles will speak against the plans, on behalf of the town council.
SOME OF THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS POSED BY COUNCILLORS & THEIR COMMENTS
Cllr Adrian Dite: Q “The Neighbourhood Plans says two and a half storeys, why does this plan include three storey properties?”
Architect, Anthony Lewis: A “Although they are three storeys, because of the design, they are no higher than if they were two and a half storey.”
Cllr David Bretherton: Q “Why is there no mention of any Traffic assessment in the report, particularly about during the building stage?”
Jane Dann: A “There is an agreement that this will be dealt with, and that the roads around the site will be able to cope with this.” (Laughter from the audience!)
Cllr David Laver: Q “How will the view from The Elms be affected by lighting? Will it be managed not to make the area lit up for 24 hours, causing light pollution?”
Yolande Bowater: A “This could be made a Condition (of approval). We will submit a scheme which will be discreet, but public safety will be an issue.”
Cllr Adrian Dite: Q “Although there was to be no building beyond the line of poplars going South on the original drawing, the new drawing now shows 30% of the housing is now in that area?”
Jane Dann: A “Although there will be some harm, it will not be ‘substantial’ and the Government’s test is; ‘Is it outweighted by the benefit?’ I think ‘Yes’! ”
Cllr Mary Stiles: “Our Conservation Area is very special, and I do not think I can support this plan.”
Cllr Mike Dyer: “Having looked at the original Conveyance document for Elms Park, I see nothing in it to exclude this development. But I appreciate that this is a very sensetive site so that any development has to be appropriate and must ‘tick all the boxes’ of the Neighbourhood Plan, and I am not satisfied with just 38% of affordable homes.”
Cllr Mike Dyer: “I agree with concerns about traffic during the development stage. The residents in this area have already put up with enough from the new Windmill Road development.”
Cllr David Bretherton: “I propose refusal of this development. There is no plan relating to transport issues and I am concerned about what English Heritage is saying, that harm would be ‘substantial’. This should be taken very seriously. The plan goes against the Neighbourhood Plan, and National Planning Guidelines.
Cllr Don Butler: “Through development of this site, we would be losing one of the last, unspoilt green field sites. It is rare and special precisely because it is not built on! We should think carefully about building on any green field site. I would like to see no houses on this site.”
Cllr David Laver: “English Heritage says ‘some housing’ should be permitted on this site, but that too many are proposed, particularly to the South of the The Elms house itself. I also think this is not the most appropriate sort of housing that is needed in Thame. We need more retirement housing near the town centre. This proposal doesn’t address that need.”
Cllr Peter Lambert: “My first thought on seeing these houses was, that they reminded me of a half-built Colosseum or a piece of Nazi, WW2 architecture. I am not happy.”
The Mayor, Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green: “I think I am the only person who likes the design of the houses.”
AMENDED PLANS FOR ELMS PARK ENHANCEMENTS
This item was deferred until the next TTC Planning meeting, as no official comment or report from the Highways authority had been seen by the town council, although the applicant stated that they had received a late email saying that there was no objection to the amended plans.
Soha Housing, Thame’s local housing association, will be taking part in the national Spring Online campaign, on April 23, running free sessions to help even the most timid beginners have a go at using computers or accessing the internet.
Image courtesy of Digital Unite
Those who are more confident can get tips on improving their skills and people who already own portable devices, like laptops, tablets or smartphones, will be welcome to bring them along for some expert advice.
Adela Miencilova, who will be running the sessions, explained: “Computers can be fun and are great for hobbies and keeping in touch using emails and Facebook.”
The free computer sessions take place at Windmill Place, Thame, between 10am – 12pm, or 1pm – 3pm, on Thursday, April 23. Sessions can be booked through Soha Housing’s Liz Roberts on 01235 515 900. Anyone can join in, but priority will be given to Soha residents for the limited places.
Spring Online, formerly ‘Silver Surfers’ Day, is a national initiative by Digital Unite aimed at encouraging take-up of the internet, and will take place across the country during the week commencing April 20.
Soha Housing owns and manages around 6,000 properties in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties. It is a member of PlaceShapers, a national alliance of more than 100 community-focused housing associations.
