THOMAS ASHBY - for Witney West, Ducklington, Curbridge & Lew - THURSDAY 1ST MAY

Thomas Ashby is your truly local champion standing to be the next County Councillor in the Witney West & Ducklington Division on Thursday 1st May.

For low council tax, better roads, improved youth services and common sense, you must vote for Thomas Ashby on Thursday 1st May

Thomas Ashby has been a Witney Town Councillor since 2019 and West Oxfordshire District Councillor since 2023. Thomas has lived in the area for the entire 25 years of his life and has a family history which stretches over 85 years across Witney and the local villages showing that only he really understands the needs and feelings of local people.

Thomas attended West Witney Primary School, The Henry Box School and undertook two apprenticeships at Abingdon and Witney College. Thomas currently works full-time within the Energy Sector in Oxfordshire.

Youth Services:

In his spare time, Thomas is a Scout Leader, Explorer Scout Leader and Trustee for Witney Buttercross Scout Group. Thomas's frontline experience in delivering youth services on a weekly basis shows that he has a true understanding of the views and needs of young people in the local area.

Most recently, Thomas has been fundamental in ensuring Witney Town Council brings back it's Youth Services Grant. This is a £20,000 sum which is available for Youth Groups to bid for so that youth services can be enhanced across our area.

Local Facilities

Thomas has a strong record campaigning and delivering new local facilities:

• Windrush Place: Shops, Pavilion and Pitches

  • Thomas has been working with residents to pressure the Council to force the developers to deliver these facilities for years. Unfortunately, the Lib-Dems in charge of West Oxfordshire District Council did not want to enforce the legal actions within the legal agreement, which caused delays to these services. However, Thomas's effort and continued support for residents has meant that these facilities are now under construction.

• The Leys

  • Thomas worked hard campaigning to ensure that the previous Government would grant £700,000 for the new updated facilities for The Leys. The new facilities include a new community building, cafe, shower and changing room facilities, paddle courts, netball courts, basketball courts and new tennis courts. This upgrade will really bring great benefits to sport, fitness and grass-root sports teams in Witney.

• Ducklington Sports and Social Club

  • The Sports and Social Club in Ducklington is a real asset to the local community, however, it needs some TLC. That is why Thomas is working with the Sports and Social Club to signpost and support grant funding applications, which could help support the building of new showers and changing rooms, which will greatly benefit the sports teams using the facilities.

• West Witney Sports Ground - One in a Generation Upgrade and 3G Pitch

  • Over several years, Thomas has been one of the biggest voices and advocates for a new 3G pitch at West Witney. Whilst the Lib-Dems complained about the use of rubber and plastics to create a new sports pitch, Thomas continued to speak up on behalf of residents and sports clubs who see the real benefit to this significant upgrade. This once in a generation upgrade will see new female and male changing room, upgraded social spaces downstairs and upgrades to the building to make it more energy efficient.

Thomas has led the way for the once in a generation refurbishment of West Witney Sports Club and the installation of a new 3G football pitch.

Walking and Cycling Provision

Walking and cycling into Witney from the West of the Town is currently dangerous, which is why many parents do not feel comfortable letting their children walk or cycle to school, especially if it means crossing the Deer Park Road.

Thomas is the only person standing for election who has spoken up for residents safety time and time again. Thomas has led the way in the campaign for two pedestrian crossings along the Deer Park Road. 1 by the roundabout and 1 at the bridleway - this will be transformational in ensuring it is safer for people to walk and cycle into the centre of town from the West of the Town. A consultation for these two crossings and associated lighting will be launched in May.

Walking and cycling into town from Ducklington has been simple in the past. However, due to the increase in traffic through the village and Station Lane Avenue 2 has meant that walking and cycling has become more dangerous. Thomas is already working with Oxfordshire County Council to see what can be done to the traffic along Avenue 2 to make walking and cycling safe again.

Local Businesses

Local businesses are at the heart of all our communities. Whether that is popping into town for a Shake from the Shake and Sweet Shop, a coffee from UE or buying food from One Elm Farm Shop, Thomas is a true believer in indpendent businesses and Witney High Street. Unfortunately, the Lib-Dems think otherwise, due to their closure of the High Street and subsequant dawdling. Currently £2million is sat in the bank waiting to revitalise Witney's High Street. Why has it taken four years?

Potholes

The Lib-Dems at Oxfordshire County Council have overseen some of the worst road surfaces in Oxfordshire ever. Council Tax has risen by £152,000,000 since they took over and the services they are providing are getting worse and worse.

Thomas is committed to delivering the biggest increase in funding for roads maintenance including potholes ever.

Potholes should not re-open. That's why Thomas is calling for a review and audit of the re-emerging potholes across Oxfordshire.

A Common Sense, Local Councillor

Thomas lives locally in West Witney Witney and is in the process of buying his first home. He understands the challenges of getting onto the housing ladder, and believes that we do need more local, affordable homes - but only with the infrastructure! There is capacity for another GP Surgery at Deer Park, but that is dependent on the local NHS Trust.

If elected to Oxfordshire County Council, Thomas will bring some common sense back to the Council. He believes that the Council should not be imposing on peoples lives as much as they do today, and believes simply that residents should keep more money in their pockets. Council Tax has risen by £152 million since the Lib-Dems took charge along side their Green and Labour counter-parts, but what is there to show for it? An inaccessible Park and Ride, Witney High Street which is neither open nor closed, £8million on 20mph signs and reduced and failing SEND services.

Thomas is working all year round for residents. Whether attending Council meetings, knocking on doors or attending community events. He doesn't appear opportunistically at election time.

Thomas is the only candidate which will bring a truly local voice to County Hall. A local voice which understands the needs and concerns of residents in our town and villages. Thomas is a campassionate, caring local person who cares deeply about the community. You only need to look at his social media presence to see how active he is all year round. He doesn't emerge opportunistically during the election period.

The only way to improve our roads, keep Council Tax down and improve youth services is to Vote for Thomas on Thursday 1st May.