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Survey on an increase in council tax to help protect operational policing is launched
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, has today launched a survey seeking public views on an increase in the police element of the council tax by £1 a month (for a band D property). On Tuesday 19th December the Home Secretary announced a substantial £450 million increase in police funding across England and Wales. However, this funding package assumes that all PCCs will raise the police element of council tax by £1 a month (or £12 a year) for a band D property which, collectively, will raise £270 million of the £450 million increase. This settlement will allow forces to continue to provide an effective service in their critical work to fight crime and protect the public. At present around 60% of Thames Valley Police’s £393 million annual policing budget is funded by central government, with the policing element of council tax making up the remainder. Since 2010/11 the police grant has been cut by around 38% in real terms which has resulted in Thames Valley Police (TVP) having to make £99 million of savings in order to balance the budget. These cuts have already led to a manpower reduction of over 1,000 full time equivalent posts, including more than 450 police officers. Anthony Stansfeld, Police and Crime Commissioner said: “Setting the budget for 2018/19 needs to be considered in the context of an already constrained financial position as well as the additional pressures policing faces as demand in some of the most complex and challenging areas continues to increase. “This includes rising reports and cases of hidden crimes such as domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual offences, serious violence and exploitation have all increased the pressure on police resources. “Needless to say this is proving to be extremely challenging and without the increase of £12 per year in council tax, as recommended by the Home Secretary, we would have to make further significant reductions in police officers and staff which will affect the level and quality of policing service we are able to offer you. “In November 2017 TVP was judged by the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to be ‘outstanding’ in the efficiency with which it keeps people safe and reduces crime. This includes an ‘outstanding’ for its understanding of demand and its use of resources to manage demand, and its planning for future demand was judged to be ‘good’. Thames Valley Police was one of only two forces nationally to have been awarded an overall rating of outstanding. “Ideally I would not choose to consult over the busy Christmas and New Year period and particularly on such an important issue, however, the Chief Constable and I only received the provisional police grant settlement for 2018/19 from the Home Office on Tuesday 19th December. “Unfortunately due to budget decisions needing to be finalised by the end of January I am only able to run the consultation until 11th January. “I apologise for the timing and length of the consultation period but I hope you will take the time to complete the survey which will help the Chief Constable and I to make an informed decision on the budget for 2018/19.” The short online survey and further background information can be found on the Thames Valley PCC website: https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/police-funding-survey-have-your-say/ Closing Date: Midday Thursday 11th January 2018 Those residents who do not have access to the internet can write to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Thames Valley Police Headquarters, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 2NX with their answers to the below questions. Question 1 Do you think an extra £12 per year in council tax, for a Band D property, to help protect operational policing in Thames Valley would be money well spent? Question 2 If not, please explain why and what annual increase you believe is justified and will enable Thames Valley Police to do their job effectively? Please note that all postal responses needs to be received by midday on Thursday 11th January 2018 Impact on different Council Tax bands The figures quoted are based on a Band D household. The impact on residents living in properties with a council tax banding of A to H are set out below. Council Tax Band A = £8.00 B = £9.33 C = £10.67 D = £12.00 E = £14.67 F = £17.33 G = £20.00 H = £24.00 Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner The Farmhouse Thames Valley Police Headquarters Kidlington OX5 2NX www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk
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Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been sentenced to two years’ and five months’ imprisonment for burglary in West Berkshire.
Paul John Tidbury, aged 29, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary at Reading Crown Court on 6 December, he was sentenced at the same hearing. Sometime between 22 September and 27 September, Tidbury entered an unoccupied residential property in Church Hill, Wickham, and stole clothing and also a copper water tank from the property. The theft of the water tank caused water damage to the inside of the property. Tidbury was arrested on 6 October and he was charged with one count of burglary the same day. Investigating officer, PC Nigel Woodall, of the Complex Investigation Department, based at Newbury police station, said: “This was a good result for the victim, who will have the satisfaction of knowing the Tidbury will be spending the foreseeable future in prison. “This sentence should send the message that the courts take a dim view of those who make the decision to commit these offences.” Message Sent By Claire Williams (Police, Co-ordinator, West Berkshire) The Winter edition of the West Berkshire Countryside Society Newsletter can be found here: 
Please see below for the changes to the rubbish and recycling collections over the Christmas and New Year break:
Collections over Christmas 2017 and the New Year Monday 25 December will be collected on Wednesday 27 December Tuesday 26 December will be collected on Thursday 28 December Wednesday 27 December will be collected on Friday 29 December Thursday 28 December will be collected on Saturday 30 December Friday 29 December will be collected on Tuesday 2 January Monday 1 January will be collected on Wednesday 3 January Tuesday 2 January will be collected on Thursday 4 January Wednesday 3 January will be collected on Friday 5 January Thursday 4 January will be collected on Saturday 6 January Friday 5 January will be collected on Monday 8 January Monday 8 January will be collected on Tuesday 9 January Tuesday 9 January will be collected on Wednesday 10 January Wednesday 10 January will be collected on Thursday 11 January Thursday 11 January will be collected on Friday 12 January Friday 12 January will be collected on Saturday 13 January For More Information on Recycling More & Christmas Tree Collections please visit: info.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=30715 Update from Highways England:
After successfully lifting into position all six central reservation beams along the M4 between junctions 12 and 13, the remaining three weekend closures have now been cancelled (15 – 18 December, 12 – 15 January and 19 – 22 January 2018). The scheme will still require occasional full overnight road closures, the dates for which will be advertised in advance on signs alongside the M4 and in the media.  December 2017
Rural crime update from Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Ross Reports of rural crime in the Thames Valley have increased by five percent between October 2016 and September 2017. I would like to reassure members of our rural communities of my commitment to investigating reports of rural crime. We rely on information from our local communities and take such reports very seriously. Incidents are robustly investigated by our local policing teams who have dedicated Rural Crime and Wildlife Officers based across the Thames Valley. Rural crime can take many different forms including burglary, robbery, theft, criminal damage, fly tipping, poaching and hare coursing. We are continuing to work with local residents, businesses and partners to raise awareness of crime prevention techniques while developing problem solving solutions to tackle rural crime. There are often fewer witnesses to rural crimes and greater opportunities for criminals to target isolated properties and businesses. The impact of these crimes can also be greater, with people feeling more vulnerable due to their remote location. You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of rural crime by taking a few simple steps including:
If you become a victim of rural crime or suspect that a crime has taken place, you should always report it to police by calling the non-emergency number, 101. If an incident is in progress, or there is an immediate threat to life, you should call 999. You can receive the latest rural crime news from Thames Valley Police and their partners directly to your phone or inbox by signing up to CountryWatch at: http://www.thamesvalleycountrywatch.co.uk/ The following is a list of all the Christmas Services and Carol Services taking place across the
West Downland Benefice: Brightwalton 10th December - 4pm Village Carols and Readings 18th December - 6pm School Carols by Candlelight 20th December - 10.20am School Christmas Assembly Christmas Eve - 10pm First Communion of Christmas Catmore Christmas Eve - 3pm Carols by Candlelight Chaddleworth 20th December - 9am School Christmas Service 22nd December - 7pm Beer & Carols at The Ibex Christmas Day - 10pm Family Communion East Shefford 23rd December - 3pm Carol Service Fawley 13th December - 7pm Newbury & District Agricultural Society Carol Service 31st December - 10am United Benefice Holy Communion Great Shefford 3rd December - 3pm Chrisingle Service 17th December - 3pm Carol Service 21st December - 6pm Carols around the Tree Christmas Eve - 11.30pm Midnight Communion Christmas Day - 9.30am Family Communion Leckhamstead 8th December - 6.30pm Christmas Party with Carols 10th December - 10am Nativity Play Service Christmas Day - 8am Holy Communion Shefford Woodlands 19th December - 7pm Carol Service Welford 12th December - 5pm School Nativity Play 17th December - 11am Carol Service Christmas Day - 11am Family Communion |
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