Category: More News

THE news that Oxfordshire’s economy has experienced low economic growth in the past five years, raises a serious question over Tory plans nationally to start cutting the budget deficit immediately if they are elected in May, say local Lib Dems,

In a press release day, the Lib Dems state: “The Oxfordshire Economic Assessment prepared for the County Council says that the county experienced low economic growth compared to the rest of the South East. The improvement which has occurred was due mainly to growth in public sector, which is now being hit by budget constraints.

“Public sector growth is likely to fall further in the future so government action nationally will be essential to sustain the weak recovery. The fragile state of the economy means that drastic cuts proposed by the Conservatives for this year would put jobs at risk in Oxfordshire. Today, unemployment figures for the county showed a welcome fall in the jobless total of 300 in February but there are still over 9,000 people out of work across the county.”

South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrat spokesman,Andy Crick,said: “The economic recovery is proving slow and uncertain and any drastic curbs on government spending will have a major impact acros Britain. The news released today about Oxfordshire’s economy and unemployment figures show that our county has far to go to secure a successful future for residents and businesses here. A Tory government would threaten the recovery here.

?Liberal Democrats recognise the need to address the deficit, which is why we have put forward

TOP CHEF, Raymond Blanc, who is based at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, near Thame, has been ordered by doctors to stay out of the kitchen for 12 weeks.

Raymond has had two operations following breaking his leg in six places in a fall down the stairs at his Oxford home on March 1, 2010.

He is reported to have said that he will use the time to write another book.

OXFORDSHIRE County Council have won two awards for improvement and efficiency within the council, including one for its care and support services.

In the Improvement and Efficiencey South East Awards 2010, Improving Lives category, Oxfordshire County Council won for its work on individual services funds for supporting independent living. The award was made for OCC’s development of individual funding in care homes which was delivered in partnership with Age Concern and the Office for Disability Issues. It aims to improve individuals’ lives by giving them greater choice over their care and support.

Examples of this in action include improving a lady’s social situation by helping her take up water colour painting which she enjoys doing with her fellow residents. Also sailing sessions at a local club for a well-travelled gentleman who now has severe dementia. He’s able to rig his boat and sails it with a carer – an activity he enjoyed as a younger man.

So far, 36 residents of six care homes have received support from Age Concern and the ODI who have acted as brokers to research and arrange prospective services and activities related to the individual. Staff in several homes have also been trained to help individual residents plan their care.

Supporting Care Workers

The council also won the IESE People Management award for a scheme to support working carers through special leave arrangements and a forum to help develop future policy and to air key issues.

Extra paid leave is available to help support hospital visits or case conferences with the cared for person. A working carer’s group also meets quarterly – there are currently more than 40 members with new people coming to every meeting.

“Working carers are a group of ‘unsung heroes’ who often quietly carry on their daily jobs while coping with many responsibilities at home in a way which demands our respect. Oxfordshire is glad to be able to assist our working carers in balancing their work and home lives and I would like to pay tribute to all the work they do,” said Director of Social and Community Services, John Jackson.

THRE Thames Valley Police Authority has been rewarded for efficiency improvements over the past year 2010. The Police Service of the Year award, by the regional Improvement and Efficiency agency, was presented to Khan Juna, Chairman of the Police Authority and Deputy Chief Constable Francis Habgood at a ceremony held in Westminster, London on Thursday, March 4.

Thames Valley Police Authority won the award for the efficiency and effectiveness brought about by the force?s Productivity Plan.

Jim Booth, Chief Executive of the Police Authority, said: ?In 2009/10 the Force made over

HADDENHAM Library is looking for volunteers to assist with the Bounce & Rhyme and Storytime sessions. For more information please speak to Barbara Paul, Library Manager, on 0845 2303232.

Coming events

Sat 20th March Lent Lunch. This week it?s the turn of Haddenham Methodist Church members to prepare and serve home-made soups with bread and tea or coffee. Enjoy this sociable event on Saturday (12-1.30pm) in the Baptist Schoolroom, Stockwell, in return for a donation to Christian Aid.

Wed 24th Horticultural Society. There is an illustrated talk on ?The Herbaceous Border? by Rose-Marie Knight at Haddenham Horticultural Society?s meeting (8pm) in the Walter Rose Room, at the Village Hall. Entry is free to members and non-members but donations towards expenses are welcome.

SOME MORE of Thamenews.net’s Followers on Twitter have responded to the Cost Coffee debate. The following from theengineer pub: (ex resident of Thame) “Costa Coffee are the WORST coffee chain in the U.K! London is swamped with crap; don’t let this happen! Long Live Independents!”

kateeroberts is not so sure: “Really torn. Costa coffee is so much better than many chains, but I also feel we should protect the independents.”

Margie Barber, who used to live in Thame, moved to Bridport and she tweeted the following:

“Bridport got a Costa coffee, popular with the younger set, but the established coffee shops survive.”

Bill Francis, a resident of Thame but currently at Portsmouth University, contributed this thought:

“lots of coffee causes people to be impulsive and crazy… people will spend more money when on a caffeine high! AKA Costa is a good idea!”

See other views in Letters to the Editor section:
LINK

LOCAL farmers, growers, foresters, and other food related rural businesses are being urged to bid for a share of

FEATURING local Eco-renovation suppliers and home eco-renovation case studies, this will bring together an exchange of ideas and experiences.

Practitioners, businesses and community enterprises are pioneering eco-renovation pathways, and an increasing number of home owners are showing how it is possible to slash heating bills and make their homes warmer, brighter and more desirable.

About 25 different organisations and professionals including architects, builders, material suppliers and energy experts will take part to introduce ecovation possibilities and up-to-date procedures and techniques.

There will be presentations from eco renovation professionals and from local eco renovators who have done it themselves and are ready to share there experiences with the growing numbers of people choosing to save cash as well as of carbon, by eco renovating.

Whether you have just moved into a new house and want to eco-renovate it from the base upwards or whether you want to add more eco features to your urban flat – you will get an idea of what can be done and who might be able to help you with your personal plans.

Post the following link into your browser for full details from www.theecologist.org.

http://www.theecologist.org/calendar/422136/oxfordshire_ideal_green_homeshow_24_april.html

GO ON! A free cup of tea and biscuit at the end! BLOOD donation session will be held on Tuesday 30th March 2010 at The Village Hall, Church Street, Haddenham from 1.00pm – 3.00pm & 3.45pm – 6.30pm.

For more information or to book an appointment to attend this session (this is recommended), please call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk Do something amazing – Give Blood & save lives.

PATSY and family have been greatly comforted by the many kind messages of sympathy received. Please accept this as an acknowledgment until we can contact you personally.