A better unitary proposal for Oxfordshire
As you might have seen, Oxfordshire County Council has launched a proposal entitled “One Oxfordshire” calling for a single unitary council to be created for the whole of Oxfordshire.
My priority is to ensure that any new council gets the best of both economies of scale, but just as importantly that the importance of local communities are recognised. Local decision making will be key in making a single county unitary a success.
On this basis, the Vale of White Horse District Council is working with South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council on a joint proposal for a single unitary authority, which will transform the way we deliver our services to people of Oxfordshire for the better.
Having raised this issue last year it is clear that a single unitary council will provide the best prospects for maintaining high quality services and secure badly needed investment in infrastructure, including housing, roads and health care. The Vale of White Horse District Council will play an important role in developing the final joint proposals for a unitary council and will ensure they have a strong local influence for our communities and offer value for money.
Oxfordshire County Council are asking residents across Oxfordshire for their views on these proposals – you can find out more here.
The final proposal will be submitted to government in the spring subject to approval by our Full Council. We will keep residents updated on progress and decisions made.
My 10k Monster Race
I’m running a 10k obstacle race to raise funds for for SpecialEffect because of the fantastic work they do to improve lives.
In 2016 I ran the 5k Monster Race for Special Effect. Now I am challenging myself to two laps! 10 kilometres (that’s just over 6 miles in old money) through mud, icy water and over obstacles that seem to get higher the more exhausted you are.
Thank you again to those who supported me last time and I hope you will sponsor me for the 2017 Monster Race by clicking www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthews10kmonster.
Didcot Garden Town masterplan unveiled
Over the past few months, town and parish councillors, schools, businesses, landowners, partners and residents from Didcot and the surrounding villages have all given their thoughts on what a new Garden Town could include.
Over 4,000 comments have been made, through face to face meetings and via the dedicated Didcot Garden Town website – which has helped to shape the proposals set out in the draft masterplan.
The main features include a better connected town centre, with safe cycle routes to multiple locations, including the Harwell Campus, Mowbray Fields nature reserve, Didcot Parkway, allotments and Culham, and a new Leisure Centre in the North East of the town. There is also potential to upgrade the station and the access to the railway museum.
Ensuring green spaces between the edge of the town and the surrounding villages is also an important part of our proposals.
The draft plans have been published on the Didcot Garden Town website www.didcotgardentown.org where everyone who lives, works and visits Didcot and the surrounding villages to comment on these proposals.
The final draft Didcot Garden Town Delivery Plan will be published for public consultation in the spring of 2017, followed by a six week consultation.
Extending East-West Rail to Grove and beyond
Ed Vaizey MP has successfully brought together MP’s, Local Authories and LEP’s (Local Enterprise Partnerships) from Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Swindon to take forward exciting proposals to open a new rail line west of Oxford, running through to Bristol.
The new rail line could be an extension of the already planned East-West line linking Oxford to Cambridge and could include a new “parkway” station at Grove as well others in Corsham and Royal Wooton Bassett.
The new group plans to meet regularly to develop concrete proposals which could be taken forward by government.
The new link between Cambridge and Oxford will provide a vital economic corridor between two of the most vibrant parts of Britain. Our proposals involve extending that link through Wantage/Grove, Swindon and Wiltshire, to provide vital connectivity between Bristol, Swindon and Oxford, linking up communities and stimulating economic growth. In particular this could significantly relieve pressure on the A420 between Oxford and Swindon.
Operation Hornet: One of the largest frauds ever investigated
Thames Valley Police, together with the Crown Prosecution Service, has just completed the investigation and prosecution of one of the largest fraud cases it has ever undertaken.
The sum of money lost by HBoS as a result of the actions of a corrupt senior employee and others was at the very least £250M. He and his fellow conspirators embarked on a spending spree involving yachts in the Mediterranean, villas in Barbados and Majorca, prostitutes, overseas bank accounts, and a general high life. This has been at the expense of the shareholders of the bank, and many medium and small companies which have been bankrupted and ruined. Little will be recovered.
This case highlights the lack of coherence in tackling major fraud in this country. The case is estimated to have cost Thames Valley more than £7m and with finite resources this puts additional pressure on police officer time that could be used to tackle other issues.
I add my congratulations to the Thames Valley Police officers and staff who have pursued this case to a successful conclusion over the last 6 years. It has been an uphill struggle at times, and their persistence has been rewarded.
Honouring Seargant Edward Mott VC 100 years on
Towards the end of last month I had the privilege to join over 100 others at St Peter's Church in Drayton for a very special service. We were gathered to commemorate the remarkable achievements of one particular 'son of Drayton'. Edward Mott was born in the village in 1893 and after joining the army in 1910 he served in the First World War. Whilst still a corporal he earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) at Gallipoli. He was shot whilst carrying his injured commanding officer and leading his company against enemy fire. He was later sent back to Gallipoli and was shot again, this time in the face!
For most people that would have been more than enough, but Edward was then sent to the Somme. It was whilst serving on the Western Front that he earned the Victoria Cross. The citation on his award read:
"Although severely wounded in the eye, Sergeant Mott made a rush for the gun and after a fierce struggle, seized the gunner and took him prisoner, capturing the gun. It was due to the dash and initiative of this NCO that the left flank attack succeeded.”
He survived the war and returned to live locally in the Vale. During the Second World War he served as a guard at RAF Milton Hill. Edward Mott's story is truly inspiring and the few paragraphs here do not do it justice. As the Bishop of Dorchester, who presided at the service, reminded the congregation - Seargant Mott's accomplishments and the modesty with which he bore his bravery are testimony to the difference individuals can make. We should all strive to show the kind of bravery displayed by Edward, whatever our background or role in life.
