Matthew Barber is asking residents to share views on which areas they would like the policing element of council tax to be focused in the 2024/25 budget by completing his Local Crime Survey.
The Police and Crime Commissioner is due to set the 2024/25 policing budget by the end of January 2024. The allocation of central government funding for forces is expected to be received in December.
Alongside this, the current funding settlement allows Police and Crime Commissioners to increase council tax by up to £10 (for a Band D property) in order to make additional investments in policing (and last year increases of up to £15 were permitted).
Matthew Barber said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, it is my responsibility to ensure that Thames Valley Police has the resources to effectively prevent and investigate crime, support victims and protect communities from harm.
“Setting the budget is often a complex process in balancing priorities, and one which is again this year taking place against a challenging economic backdrop.  
“Economic pressures such as high utility, fuel, and vehicle costs continue to impact policing budgets and I am acutely aware that cost of living pressures are affecting households across the Thames Valley.
“Thames Valley residents deserve and expect to receive an exceptional service from their police force. I want to ensure that the budget can support this, deliver value for money for residents and address the concerns and priorities of communities.
“This coming financial year, I want to see continued investment in local neighbourhood policing. There have already been significant improvements made, but I am determined to increase visible policing within our communities and to tackle issues such as shoplifting and keep burglaries low.
“By providing your feedback, you can help shape important decisions about police funding and how Thames Valley Police can continue to work to keep us all safe.”
The survey can be completed by visiting the PCC website. If you would like to share your views on the policing budget for 2024/25, please complete the survey by 12pm on Friday 5th January 2024. 
If you have any further questions, please contact the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner on - [email protected] 

Waterways Day has been organised to give local residents the opportunity to speak with the agencies involved in waterways management to allow residents to voice their concerns and ask questions.
The event will consist of talks from key organisations involved with managing waterways, held in four sessions, along with a drop-in area with stands where people can ask these organisations questions.
​Waterways Day 2023 - West Oxfordshire District Council (westoxon.gov.uk)

Where and when
Waterways Day will be held at the Corn Exchange, Witney Market Square, OX28 6AB, on Thursday 23 November 2023, and will run from 10:00am to 18:00pm.
Talks and discussion sessionsThroughout the day, there will be talks from these agencies covering four key themes: water pollution; clean water supply; flood mitigation and natural flood management; and nature recovery schemes. The talks will be followed by a Q&A session, to give residents an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the issues that matter to them.
The programme for the day is as follows:
Introduction - 10:00 to 10:10Cllr Lidia Arciszewska, West Oxfordshire District Council 
Issues With Sewage Pollution - 10:10 to 12:10
Richard Aylard, Thames Water
Ashley Smith & Vaughan Lewis, Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP)
Soraya Wooller, Earthwatch Europe
Dominic Slade, Environment Agency
Break - 12:10 to 12:20
Water Supply - 12:20 to 13:00
Peter Blair, Thames Water
Joe Cuthbertson, Environment Agency
Lunch - 13:00 to 14:00
Afternoon Introduction - 14:00 to 14:10
Cllr Lidia Arciszewska
Flood Management - 14:10 to 15:30
William Wareing, Witney Flood Mitigation Group
Claire Mills, Oxfordshire County Council
Joe Cuthbertson, Environment Agency
Afternoon Break - 15:30 to 16:00
Natural Flood Management Schemes and Nature Recovery - 16:00 to 17:30
Ann Berkeley, Evenlode Catchment Partnership/ Wild Oxfordshire
Tim Field, North East Cotswolds Farmers Cluster (NECFC)
Catriona Bass, Nature Recovery Network
Kelly Whitton, Blenheim Estates
Summary and Goodbye - 17:30 to 17:40
Cllr Lidia Arciszewska
Event End - 18:00

They are encouraging people to register their interest in attending these sessions. To do so please visit the Eventbrite page to ensure your space is booked.
StallsThere will also be a room in the Corn Exchange where attending organisations will host stands so that residents can ask any questions they may have.
The stalls will be available for viewing from 10:00 – 18:00, to be attended during the breaks and after the afternoon session.
ParkingThere are numerous free car parks available around Witney Town Centre, but we would encourage residents to walk or use public transport where possible.