Some short, news snippets from this week in Thame
* MORE stringent enforcement of parking restrictions in Thame’s Streets, rarely inforced since the retirement of Traffic Warden, Peggy Long, is likely to happen within about 18 months, when Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) will be introduced into the town.
This car was parked on zig zag lines, illegally, while its driver went shopping – Photo Frank Millar
CPE permits local authorities to take over the enforcement of on-street, as well as off-street car parking regulations from the police. In return they are allowed to keep the proceeds and parking offences cease to be criminal offences. Local authorities adopting CPE usually employ contractors to run their scheme. see: LINK to previous news report
Mani Abreu with his bag of cans collected around Thame during 2013’s Thame Tidy Day
* GET kitted up with gloves, sturdy shoes and a roll of bin bags and prepare to take to the streets of Thame on Sunday as part of the annual Tidy Thame Day. Sue Martin-Downhill, who has taken over the reigns of Thame4Business is organising the event this year, and is recruiting everyone to get out and do their bit. There’s still time to register your interest, and to suggest areas in the town that are in need of a tidy. Email tidythame@gmail.com
More information on the Thame Tidy Day 2014 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thametidyup2014
* THE allotments site next to the graveyard at St Mary’s Church, Thame, is looking unlikely to be suitable as an over-spill for the almost-full graveyard, as there are concerns that the depth necessary for graves may interfer with the site’s archaeology. In answer to a question raised at the Thame Town Meeting, the Clerk explained that negotiations were on-going with developers to try to find an alternative site. She said that finding a suitable site was proving to be challenging but that the council was continuing to look.
* THAME’S Christmas lights may be replaced, according to the Mayor, Peter Lambert. Speaking at the Thame Town Meeting on Tuesday (May 6) he reported that a contract to replace them, including what he called ‘the blue and orange kebab lights’, is going out to tender.
* THE newly made raised flower beds near the entrance to Elms Park are being raided by plant thieves. They’ve even used wire cutters to cut through security wiring.
* THE work to repair Thame’s town hall is likely to take longer than planned after the discovery that the clock tower requires more work than envisaged. The £195,000 rennovation work, being carried out by local company, Stoneworld, includes window frames, gutters and stonework. The work is being paid for with a Public Works loan to Thame Town Council, repayable over 15 years.
* THIS year’s Town Awards are officially open.There are six categories to choose from:Young Achiever – someone up to the age of 18 who excels in a particular skill or discipline, Sporting Achievement – someone of any age who has shown great dedication to their sport, Voluntary Individual or Organisation – an individual or group that has worked tirelessly for the good of our community, Lifetime Achievement (can be awarded posthumously) – someone of any age who has made a significant contribution to our community over an extended period of time, Person of Courage – someone of any age who has overcome adversity or is facing everyday life challenge, and Service with a Smile – a business or individual that consistently provides a faultless and friendly service.
Either fill in the online form at http://www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/images/Online_Form.doc, or pop into one of the following locations and fill in a voting slip and pop it in the ballot box: Thame Information Centre, Cross Keys, Racquets, Thame Leisure Centre, Thame Community Hospital, the Library, Time Out and Rumsey’s.
* THE town council is planning to lauch a ‘Good Neighbours’ scheme, in conjunction with Toogle, the website to access caring services local to Thame.
* A NEW Community notice board is to be installed soon in Lea Park, near the new, tarmac path in Parliament Road.
* THAME’S grassed areas may not be cut quite so often, once South Oxfordshire District Council reduces it funding to Thame Town Council next year, to maintain those areas belonging to SODC.
* THE Community Charge for Thame residents is to increase by 6p per week, for a typical Band D home, from April.
* THE town council wants to hear from local residents about their ideas for helping the council save public money. Contact the Clerk on 01844 212833.
* THE Developer, Birmingham-based Stoford, have had to relocate badgers and bats before it can submit a planning application to build 100,000 sq ft and 49,000 sq ft respectively of warehouse and production facilities, on Site B, in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan. SEE LINK
* IN answer to a question raised at the Thame Town Meeting, it was stated that Thame’s recently launched Credit Union has 37 members so far and that the council was trying to encourage more people to take membership, particularly Community Groups who could use it for their finances. The council is also encouraging local businesses to take out Corporate Membership so that their employees could join and have contributions taken from their payrolls.
