‘No magic wand’ for extra infrastructure for Thame

THAME’S Town Cerk, Graham Hunt, told a jam packed public meeting that there is ‘no magic wand’ for providing more doctors and other, extra infrastructure needed to cope with all the extra homes Thame has had to provide.

Thame’s Town Clerk, Graham Hunt (right) officiates with the Mayor, Ton Wyse, at Thame’s Annual Town Meeting 2018

Mr Hunt was responding to a question from a resident of College Close at the annual Thame Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 27: “In the light of the increased development, what are the plans for more doctors’ surgeries etc?” he asked. County Councillor, Nick Carter, responded that in his opinion, such provision had so far been ‘distressingly piece-meal’ in the town where 1000 new homes were being completed.’

The Town Clerk was quick to intercept Cllr Carter, explaining that because of the current system of ‘Section 106′ (Developers’ contributions towards facilities and infrastructure necessitated by their development) funds only come after the houses are built. Thame Town Council was doing all it could, he said, having provided more burial space, contributed to improved sports facilities and working with other stakeholders towards providing ‘Health Hubs’ in the town.

“These things do not happen over-night,” he said. “There is no magic wand. The system is slow. Discussions with many different agencies have to take place before decisions can be made, We know there are shortfalls in the town but we are doing our best.”

Cllr Carter said that the infrastructure the questioner was talking about was not within the county council’s remit but one for the NHS. He took the opportunity to relate the situation to his favoured remedy for many such conundrums, one large ‘Unitary’ council dealing with everything, from Health to roads. Such a change was currently being ‘deliberated’ he said.

LATEST – During an intervention in parliament yesterday (28/03), Thame’s MP John Howell, claimed that access to GPs in his constituencey was: “…. almost instantaneous provided that people did not specify the GP they wanted to see.”  http://www.johnhowellmp.com/news/intervention-in-debate-on-gps/1223  

** WHAT’S your experience getting to see a doctor in Thame? Email – editor@thame.net