PLEASE NOTE the contact numbers given in the Labour Party propaganda leaflet are WRONG
The Oxford City Homes Contact Centre is now able to deal with your bin collection, recycling, bulky refuse and street services enquiries on the Oxford City Homes freephone number – tel 0800 227676.
For out of hours emergency waste, recycling and street services enquiries, call the duty out of hours officer on 07802 904000.
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.
Logo of the 10:10 initiative |
Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP yesterday announced at the Core Cities conference in Liverpool that every city in the group under Liberal Democrat control has signed up to the 10:10 campaign. Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield make up half the Core Cities group of England’s major regional cities. But on the same day, the Conservative group on Oxfordshire County Council voted out a Lib Dem motion which would have committed the council to achieve the same 10% reduction in carbon emissions during 2010.
The city regions represented by the Lib Dem run city councils together have a population of over five million people, contain over 50,000 businesses and emit 40,406kt of carbon (or 7.8% of the UK total). The Liberal Democrat councils’ commitment therefore shows real leadership in these major cities. Oxford City Council has also signed up to the 10:10 campaign, with cross-party support. (There are no Conservatives on Oxford City Council.)
Oxfordshire County Council committed during 2006 to reduce carbon emissions in its own buildings (including the county’s schools) by 18% by 2012. In a media event at Oxford Castle with Conservative Party Leader David Cameron in attendance, the county administration invited people to judge their commitment to the environment by their achievements in energy reduction. Recent reports indicate that despite a 4% reduction in carbon use in the first year, current levels are falling well short of target. There is now no clear programme for achieving the 18% target by 2012.
Oxford East’s Labour MP Andrew Smith recently voted against the Lib Dem parliamentary motion calling for the Government to sign up to the 10:10 campaign, though he turning up to climate change demos lobbying on the campaign! Lib Dem spokesman in Oxford East Dr Steve Goddard said: “It is a shame that our MP‘s principles have deserted him at the crucial moment. Sadly this is not the first time – he also voted to close several post offices in Oxford despite posing with campaigners trying to save them. It’s clear that if you want real action on climate change the only party to support is the Liberal Democrats.”
The motion and voting record can be seen here, on Public Whip
It’s fair to say that one of the most controversial proposals to have come up recently is the suggestion that there should be trial road closures in the Lime Walk and Latimer Road area. Ruth and I have received a very large post-bag (yes, even during the strikes) from people both in favour and extremely worried about the suggestion.
As we have said before, the County has not made any firm commitment to going ahead with closures. Last week, we received the latest communication about the proposals from the County. They have asked for our opinion and we will be sending a formal response but before we do so, we’d be interested to hear from you. We certainly intend to emphasise to the County the importance of seeing any trial closures in the context of wider traffic management measures — we certainly do not want to get into a situation where, if there are trial closures and the County judges them as a failure, that there are no other options on the table. We will also stress that the range of possible measures should be put to the local population for their comment, with the intention of making sure we do get action to help deal with the traffic problems in the area. Of course, that consultation will also need to make clear what would be judged a success or failure for any trial closure.
Any there other comments you’d want us to add? We already have a sense of the range of attitudes in the area, but are always ready to hear from more of you! You can respond by leaving a comment here, or by e-mailing myself, Ruth or Altaf.
The next Headington North drop-in police surgery will take place on Tuesday 10 November at 4.00 pm in the Baptist Church, Old High Street. Please do come and speak to the team about any issue that is troubling you about quality of life in your area
These surgeries are very popular, and many people have benefited from advice on how to protect their property from burglary, which is one of the priority issues local residents have raised.Do drop in, even if it’s just to say hello!
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.
Natalie Lella is organising a programme for young mothers to get out and about and take some exercise. Her Headington class takes place at Bury Knowle Park, Thursday mornings, 9.30am-10.30am. If you want to contact her, here are her details and you can also find information on Daily Info, Gumtree and Netmums/Baby Directory.
Her web page is here. Her class in University Parks is oversubscribed, so sign up quickly!
I have asked the county officers to explain the procedures they take when a road accident is reported, and I thought you might be interested…
When accidents are loaded onto the system, they keep a track on whether there are any developing problem sites requiring investigation. These are identified taking account the number and severity of accidents, the type of accident (e.g. if there are common patterns in terms of vehicle movements or road users involved) and the traffic flows.
They currently have around 200 problem sites where at least 5 accidents over a 5 year period have been recorded, and these form the focus ofthe County’s accident remedial programme. They will of course also review possible safety measures at sites with a lower accident history, and also – in the case of new schemes – monitor closely their safety performance to confirm that they are operating acceptably.
I have found out that the County logs only those accidents reported to them by the police, and this can take up to four weeks. David and I would be interested in your views…
The Area Committee meeting will be at Corpus Christi Hall at 6 pm on Tuesday 20 October. Among the issues we will be discussing are:
Fun for everyone! All welcome
What could a sustainable future look like? If you are interested in attending an inspiring and visionary community event towards creating a sustainable future, then visit this website and find out about the exciting activities on offer from 09.00-19.00 Saturday 17 October in West Oxford