Lib Dems delivering for Britain. Part 8. Your community

Here is the latest in our series showing the Lib Dem manifesto in action

Lib Dem manifesto p.76 

“We will end the detention of children in immigration detention centres”

On 16 December, Nick Clegg announced the ending of child detention for immigration purposes.

Lib Dem manifesto p.83

“Through our policy on capital gains tax, ensure that those who use second homes as speculative investments will pay tax on enhanced capital value at the same rate as on earned income, not 18% as at present.”

In June’s emergency budget, we increased the rate of Capital Gains Tax to 28% for higher rate taxpayers while keeping it at 18% for basic rate taxpayers

Lib Dem manifesto p.77

 “In a fair society, everyone should have the right to a decent home, but this is not the reality of Britain today. There should be quality social and private rented housing available for those who need or choose it.”

We have announced plans for 150,000 new affordable homes over the next four years, the first net increase in the social housing stock by any government in 30 years.

Lib Dem manifesto p.77

We will make sure every new home is fully energy efficient by improving building regulations”

We have required a 25% improvement in energy efficiency standards for new buildings.

Lib Dem manifesto p.78 

 “We will scrap burdensome Home Information Packs, retaining the requirement for homes to have an energy performance certificate”

We have scrapped Home Information Packs, and retained the requirement for homes to have an energy performance certificate

 Lib Dem manifesto p.82

“We will stop ‘garden grabbing’ by defining gardens as Greenfield sites in planning law so that they cannot easily be built over”

We have ended ‘garden grabbing’ saving considerable amounts of green belt land from being built over

Lib Dem manifesto p.83

“We will promote schemes for affordable homes like equity mortgages and ‘Home on the Farm’ which encourages farmers to convert existing buildings into affordable housing”

We have promoted ‘Home on the Farm’ schemes that encourage farmers to convert existing buildings into affordable housing

Lib Dem manifesto p.74

“We will make prisoners work and contribute from their prison wages to a compensation fund for victims.”

The government’s sentencing green paper included proposals for ‘working prisons’ to get prisoners used to working regular hours, and to contribute toward financial reparations for victims.

Lib Dem manifesto p.75

“We will give people a direct say in how petty criminals and those who engage in antisocial behaviour are punished by setting up Neighbourhood Justice Panels”

The sentencing green paper also included proposals for increasing the opportunities for communities to become involved in local justice through Neighbourhood Justice Panels

Lib Dem manifesto p.75

“Champion restorative justice programmes which make offenders confront their behaviour and are more successful at reducing crime.”

The sentencing green paper also includes proposals to make more use of restorative justice as a more effective punishment

Lib Dem manifesto p.74

“Move offenders who are drug addicts or mentally ill into more appropriate secure accommodation”

As of June 2011 we will pilot drug recovery wings in priosons, reviewing this in June 2012 with a view to working with the Department of Health to roll it out more widely.

The sentencing green paper proposes to pilot and roll out liaison and diversion services nationally by 2014 for mentally ill offenders who present a high risk of harm where this is linked to a severe personality disorder

Lib Dem manifesto p. 73

“Require better recording of hate crime against disabled, homosexual and transgender people”

In December 2010 Lynne Heatherstone launched the government’s new equalities strategy, which includes a commitment to promote better recording of, and response to, hate crimes.

Lib Dem manifesto p.79

“Include promotion of safer cycling and pedestrian routes in all local transport plans”

In September Norman Baker announced plans for a new Local Sustainable Transport Fund to challenge local transport authorities outside London to develop packages of measures that support economic growth and reduce carbon in their communities, as well as delivering cleaner environments, improved safety and increased levels of physical activity.

Next Police “Have Your Say” events

The next “Have Your Say” event will take place on

Tuesday 30 November

between 1.00 and 4.00 pm

at Oxford Brookes University

There will be a further event on

Monday 13 December

between 12.00 and 3pm

at Waitrose, Old High Street, Headington

These are your opportunities to discuss issues with the Police that concern you – all are welcome to attend

Warning: cycle thefts in Headington

There have been cycle thefts from Ruskin Hall and Old High Street in the last week.    Our Neighbourhood police team have teamed up with the East Oxford team to help recover your bike if it gets stolen or lost. Simply email Headington@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk,  and provide the team with details about the cycle including frame number, colour, make and any distinguishing features. They will place the details you provide on a local police database and when they stop a thief on a cycle they will check the details against the database. It doesn’t matter if the cycle is worth £20 or £2000. If you would like them to engrave your cycle with a postcode then please feel free to email the Headington North neighbourhood team at Headington@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk  to arrange a time for them to visit you.

New Neighbourhood Action Group for Headington!!

It’s always been confusing for residents (and us councillors too!) to know which neighbourhood team to contact for issues in and around the London Road and adjacent streets. The setting up of one team to cover the whole of Headington is really good news for local residents and David and I have lobbied hard for this, for some time!

The Headington North and South neighbourhoods have now amalgamated and cover the whole of Headington. The new email address to contact the team is Headington@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk . The members of the team are listed below so please feel free to contact them with any questions.
 
Sgt Claire Grant
PC Chris Miles
PCSO Dave Hession
PCSO Rachel Cooper
PCSO Steph Barras
PCSO Eva Jordan

The change is so new, the web links haven’t changed yet, but we will endeavour to make the necessary changes to our local information link when we know more!

Community message: prevent car crime

The incidence of theft from motor vehicles in the Oxford City area is showing signs of increasing and as we move closer to the festive season the opportunities for theives to break into cars will become more frequent.
Please try to combat this type of crime by never leaving valuable and attractive items on display in your vehicle, most especially when it is left unattended.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously around parked vehicles or properties, please do not give a second thought to phoning the police on 999.
You prompt action could help the police to apprehend a criminal or prevent a crime taking place.
Many thanks for your continued support.

Reporting stolen bikes

There has been a rise in cycle thefts around Oxford, including North Headington. If you want to report a lost bike, email eastoxfordbikedatabase@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk . Please provide details about the cycle including frame number, colour, make and any distinguishing features. This data will be input onto a local police database and the police will run a check when they stop a thief on a cycle. It doesn’t matter if the cycle is worth £20 or £2,000. If you would like the police to engrave your bike with a postcode then please email the Headington North neighbourhood team to arrange a time for them to visit you.  (see details on the central orange menu bar)

Police alert: theft of property from cars

During the last fortnight there has been a spate of thefts from vans in the Oxford City area.  On each occasion a spare wheel has been removed from either the rear or the underside of the vehicle. This type of theft requires the use of tools, so the offenders(s)would probably be with the vehicle for a few minutes or so.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously around parked vehicles, please call the police on 999 or if you have any historical information relating to these offences please call the Neighbourhood Watch Office on Oxford 335133.

Beware doorstep crime

A company from Swindon are leaflet dropping in the Oxfordshire area. They follow up with a knock on the door and explain they have a number of builders from the Swindon area looking for work. (Beware they are from Swindon however they give an address in Oxford) The trader will then quote a cheap price for anything from small jobs to a house extension. We have had a number of complaints and an expert is of the opinion that some of the work is of poor quality.

If you are unsure then Trading Standards advice is not to deal with anyone who cold-calls and to get several quotes and references. Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards also have an approved list of traders in Oxfordshire. A list of traders can be obtained from Trading Standards calling 0845 051 0845 option 1 or 2

However if anybody leaflet drops and inform you they are from Swindon area and match the above scenario please contact Martin Woodley Doorstep Crime Team Leader for Thames Valley Police on 01865 815331.