05/05/10..Lib Dem candidate responds to question on local issues

THE Liberal Democrat party election candidate for the Henley constituency, Andy Crick, has responded to a series of questions about local, Thame issues. Here are his responses:

1. Do you think that the proposed 850 new homes earmarked for Thame by the South East Core Strategy will be good for the town, or not?

A: I would support more housing for Thame if it goes to the right areas, if it can be agreed in consultation with local residents and if it is of a good standard.

2. What will you do to persuade the government (if your party forms or is part of a balanced government) to do something about the economic viability of market towns?

A: We will seek to bring business rates back to the control of local councils and we will reform the way they are calculated so that they are fairer to smaller businesses. We will reduce red tape for all businesses and include ‘sunset’ clauses in any new business regulations so that they must be reviewed regularly. We will use the roads budget to invest in reopening rail lines. The former line from Oxford to Thame would be a prime example of a new line. We would also support additional housing where appropriate to ensure that our market towns continue to thrive.

We also have a clear plan to return the Post Office to profitability by introducing a ‘Postbank’ and ensuring that more services are offered through the huge network of Post Offices.

3. How will you ensure that Thame Community Hospital remains as such and that the promised future development of is services will good ahead, without losing the 12 beds currently available?

A: My party wants to devolve decision-making on health to communities through locally elected health boards and by giving control of our hospitals back to staff and patients in those communities. I strongly support our community hospitals and I will fight for their continued existence in any future plan for delivering high quality healthcare for the constituency. If decisions are made locally, it will be easier to make a strong case for hospital beds remaining in Thame.

4. Thame is trying to ‘go green’ with several groups springing up, ie Greening Thame and Transitions Towns; What will you do to ensure that Thame and other market towns can move towards becoming a sustainable community?

A: I have a strong personal commitment to environmental issues and I will seek to lead by example through simple measures such as reducing the waste my constituency office will produce, purchasing 100% green energy and moving towards green transport as soon as possible (a number of electric cars are in development at the moment, including a new Mini).

We have national plans to slash emissions which will feed into the work of local groups across the country. We want to begin a ten year programme of home insulation to reduce emissions and cut people’s fuel bills. We will offer small grants of