There are 7 vacancies, and only 5 persons nominated, all being current parish councillors. This being the case, there will be no poll. The 5 persons nominated are declared to be elected following an uncontested election and will take office when the current council retires on 8 May 2018. Election date - 3 May 2018. Don't forget to register to vote if you aren't already - details on West Oxfordshire District Council website here. The link also contains information on how to vote by post or proxy. The ward of Standlake, Aston & Stanton Harcourt, which includes our parish, is represented by two councillors on West Oxfordshire District Council - currently Hilary Fenton and Steve Good. Steve Good's term of office ends in May 2018 and the vacancy will be filled by election on Thursday 3 May 2018. Further information, including how people can stand for election and can register to vote, is in the Notice below. The current Parish Council term ends on Monday 7 May 2018. All seven councillor positions are subject to an election due to take place on Thursday 3 May 2018. The new councillors will take office on Tuesday 8 May 2018 for a four year term. The existing councillors are eligible to be nominated for re-election. The nomination process for people wishing to stand for election opens on 27 March 2018 and ends at 4pm on Friday 6 April. Further information and nomination papers can be obtained by contacting West Oxfordshire District Council - there is more information on the notice below and on the West Oxfordshire District Council website accessible here The Clerk has some copies of the papers and can be contacted on [email protected]. If more than 7 people are nominated there will be a poll, to take place on Thursday 3 May 2018. Only residents who are registered to vote will be able to do so. The notice below provides further information on how to register to vote, including the registration deadline for anyone wishing to vote in this election. Survey on an increase in council tax to help protect operational policing is launched
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, has today launched a survey seeking public views on an increase in the police element of the council tax by £1 a month (for a band D property). On Tuesday 19th December the Home Secretary announced a substantial £450 million increase in police funding across England and Wales. However, this funding package assumes that all PCCs will raise the police element of council tax by £1 a month (or £12 a year) for a band D property which, collectively, will raise £270 million of the £450 million increase. This settlement will allow forces to continue to provide an effective service in their critical work to fight crime and protect the public. At present around 60% of Thames Valley Police’s £393 million annual policing budget is funded by central government, with the policing element of council tax making up the remainder. Since 2010/11 the police grant has been cut by around 38% in real terms which has resulted in Thames Valley Police (TVP) having to make £99 million of savings in order to balance the budget. These cuts have already led to a manpower reduction of over 1,000 full time equivalent posts, including more than 450 police officers. Anthony Stansfeld, Police and Crime Commissioner said: “Setting the budget for 2018/19 needs to be considered in the context of an already constrained financial position as well as the additional pressures policing faces as demand in some of the most complex and challenging areas continues to increase. “This includes rising reports and cases of hidden crimes such as domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual offences, serious violence and exploitation have all increased the pressure on police resources. “Needless to say this is proving to be extremely challenging and without the increase of £12 per year in council tax, as recommended by the Home Secretary, we would have to make further significant reductions in police officers and staff which will affect the level and quality of policing service we are able to offer you. “In November 2017 TVP was judged by the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to be ‘outstanding’ in the efficiency with which it keeps people safe and reduces crime. This includes an ‘outstanding’ for its understanding of demand and its use of resources to manage demand, and its planning for future demand was judged to be ‘good’. Thames Valley Police was one of only two forces nationally to have been awarded an overall rating of outstanding. “Ideally I would not choose to consult over the busy Christmas and New Year period and particularly on such an important issue, however, the Chief Constable and I only received the provisional police grant settlement for 2018/19 from the Home Office on Tuesday 19th December. “Unfortunately due to budget decisions needing to be finalised by the end of January I am only able to run the consultation until 11th January. “I apologise for the timing and length of the consultation period but I hope you will take the time to complete the survey which will help the Chief Constable and I to make an informed decision on the budget for 2018/19.” The short online survey and further background information can be found on the Thames Valley PCC website: https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/police-funding-survey-have-your-say/ Closing Date: Midday Thursday 11th January 2018 Those residents who do not have access to the internet can write to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Thames Valley Police Headquarters, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 2NX with their answers to the below questions. Question 1 Do you think an extra £12 per year in council tax, for a Band D property, to help protect operational policing in Thames Valley would be money well spent? Question 2 If not, please explain why and what annual increase you believe is justified and will enable Thames Valley Police to do their job effectively? Please note that all postal responses needs to be received by midday on Thursday 11th January 2018 Information from Witney Lions Club:
Message in a bottle is a simple idea which allows emergency information to be kept in a small plastic bottle which is easily and quickly found by the Emergency Services in an emergency. The scheme was introduced in 2002 in Oxfordshire on a county-wide basis, and well over 70,000 bottles have been issued since. The idea was then picked up by Lions clubs nationally. The process is simple:
Message in a Bottle is free to the user and is funded by Lions clubs, where organisations become heavy users of the Bottles ie: NHS, or age related charities then a donation is sought. The Lions Club has also introduced a "Message in a Wallet" scheme, where people complete the same card, but keep it in a wallet or purse in case they have an emergency while they are away from home. For more details, or to request new bottles, please call Witney Lions Club on 01993 772241 Help us plan GP services in West Oxfordshire - now and for the future.
Come to our public events where you can discuss in detail with doctors and NHS managers how GP and primary care services in your local area could be organised. We want to know what works well at your GP practice at the moment and how services could work better in the face of increased demand, recruitment difficulties and budget pressures. If you are interested in helping to shape the future of GP services in Oxfordshire please come to:
To book your place and get more information please email [email protected] or call 01865 334638. |
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