New plan for parish council
City councillor Lee Cole will be setting out proposals on how Blackbird Leys Parish Council can best serve the local community at its next meeting, later this month.
Lee, who will chair the parish council for the next three months, said: ‘There is money available in the parish council funds and this can be used for community projects and improvements. I will be setting out a plan for deciding how this can best be spent.
‘Where possible I hope that residents will decide, either by coming to the meetings or through door-to-door surveys.
‘For instance, there are six playgrounds on the estate earmarked for closure, which is a disgrace. By co-ordinating our activities with the South East Area Committee, which also has a budget for this, we may be able to save one or more of these play areas. However, if we are forced to choose between them it’s important that the community has a genuine say in the decision.’
Lee Cole took over as chair after the departure of chairman Brian Lester and his deputy Bob Avery, both of whom had served on the parish council for over a decade, waging an ongoing campaign against fly tipping.
They resigned last month, citing apathy towards the issue from both residents and the city council.
Cllr Cole said, ‘Brian and Bob worked tirelessly for Blackbird Leys and their absence from the parish council will be keenly felt. However, we will carry on and we hope to recruit some new people.’
The remaining members of the parish council also want to shift its direction. ‘Rather than carrying out jobs that city council officers should be doing, such as monitoring fly tipping,’ explained Lee Cole, ‘we should be making sure officers are accountable to the community.’
For more information about the parish council contact Lee Cole on 07886 463 580.
Leys Independent, issue 36, June 2007
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