Rutland & Melton Liberal Democrats

Congratulations Marc Oxley - Uppingham Ward

Cllr Marc Oxley

Congratulations to Marc Oxley on being re-elected as Lib Dem councillor for Uppingham ward. Here's what he had to say - "For those of you who don't know me, I have lived in Uppingham since 1993. I am married to a beautiful Chinese girl. We were wed in the Parish Church last June. I am old fashioned in my outlook on life. A Feet and Inches, Pints and Pounds man! But I believe all should have equal opportunities to make the best of their lives. For pleasure I dance with the Rutland Morris Men and I have a boat on the Norfolk Broads as a bolthole. Until 2002 I ran an art gallery on Orange Street. I continue to trade in antique paintings on the internet. I have also trained to be a Civil Funeral Celebrant. I officiate at Green Burials and Secular ceremonies. This has given me the extra time needed to ensure that I can give the Council my fullest attention.

I have been a member of Rutland County Council for 4 years and worked hard for the Town since being elected in 2003. I am pleased with what I have been able to do in such a short time. I was responsible for the resurfacing of High Street East, having described to the Head of Highways that there were potholes the size of dustbin lids in the middle of the main shopping street of Uppingham. Within 3 months it had been resurfaced from the Market Square to the Wagon and Horses. A month after being elected I had the exit from High Street East onto the Seaton Road re-designed to make it safer, the Give Way markings were too far back and there had been a number of near misses before. I have delivered on a range of issues at different levels of importance. If it affects only one person I will still do my best to help.

I have been able to give a voice to the needs of Uppingham at Catmose. When I was elected I promised to remind the County Council that there were two Towns in Rutland. I believe I have been able to do that and my fellow Councillors would agree I am sure. If re-elected I will continue to work to ensure that the County Council is reminded of the fact that there are two towns in Rutland.

For the past 5 years I have chaired the Rutland CCTV group, which oversees the CCTV cameras in Uppingham and Oakham. We have worked with the County Council, Town Councils and Police to ensure funds are available to continue using this very vital tool in the fight against crime. Fortunately, we have lower crime rates than inner city areas and there has been less cause to use the system for evidential purposes. But it is there if needed and has achieved some success, leading to several prosecutions.

Since joining the County Council, I have been Chairman of The Rutland Water Partnership. An umbrella group of interested parties including Anglian Water, the NFU, Nature England, The County Council, Rutland Tourism, CPRE, Rutland Sailing Club and Rutland Water Users Group. The new lagoons at Egleton have been our main area of interest and we helped bring £1,000,000 to Rutland to mitigate the effects of the increased draw down from Rutland Water. It is a site of European Importance for Migrating Birds and needs to be managed sensitively. We have written a strategy which is being incorporated into the County Forward plan for the coming years. This will hopefully minimise the impact of the increased draw down.

I was chairman of the Uppingham Chamber of Trade for six years & was the instigator of the Rutland Chamber of Trade. Empty shops are a growing problem and if re-elected I will work with the Chamber of Trade and Town Council to see what can be done to strengthen the local economy. I also want the streets of the Town to be cleaner. One person with a broom and barrow on a daily basis is all we need.

I helped bring the farmers market to Uppingham as I believe buying locally produced products boosts the local economy, gives more choice to the consumer and helps the environment. I helped fellow Lib Dem Councillor Ruth Archer to ensure kerbside recycling is introduced throughout Rutland in 2008. I also helped put Global Warming on the Councils agenda. Everyone must do something to try and avert the greatest threat mankind has ever faced. Do we want Uppingham to become a coastal resort in 50 years time?

I was responsible for the revival of the annual Flower & Produce Show on the Leicester Road and am happy to see it going from strength to strength.

I helped set up the Uppingham Community Forum and chaired it for 2 years. This is an informal community based problem-solving forum set up by members of the Town Council to bring together the Youth Service, local schools, Chamber of Trade, the Police & the Church to discuss issues which affect the whole community. The Forum was responsible for building the Skateboard Park on Tod's Piece and has recently helped in formulating a Parish Plan for Uppingham. I firmly believe that many issues can and should be solved at a local level, but the whole community must be involved. I will wait to see the results of the Parish Plan and if re-elected work to bring change where possible."