The Neighbourhood Plan Committee has developed a survey to help shape the Neighbourhood Plan based on residents’ input.

Residents of North Leigh Parish should have received the survey through their letterboxes by the 30th June.

The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. You can also respond online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NORTHLEIGHSURVEY Please try to answer all questions.

The Committee is asking for one response per household rather than one per person. However, If someone in your household wishes to complete the survey individually, they can do so via the link above or by requesting a separate hard copy questionnaire by emailing info@communityfirstoxon.org.

You may have heard that the UK’s telephone network is being upgraded, which means that landline services are changing. People can still have a landline in their homes, but the technology that powers it will be different.

For most, switching over will be straightforward, but some people may need new equipment or support to make the changes.

Whilst people need to contact their telephone provider for more information on when this change will affect them, Age UK has created an information sheet to help you understand the change. To view the sheet, click here.

The Chairman and Clerk to the Parish Council and the District Councillor met with Estelle Manor this past week.  We raised residents’ concerns over the operation of the minibuses on Common Road and the disturbance from helicopters in the area. 

Estelle Manor is taking the concerns about the operation of the minibuses seriously and will be undertaking additional training for minibus staff.  They have stated that their goal is to have a Final Travel Plan in place within 9 or so months.  This plan would eliminate the current minibus scheme on Common Road and we are told would have minimum to no impact on residents.

Estelle Manor said that the number of helicopters landing is on average 1-2 per week.  They stated that they do not actively promote transport by helicopter to or from their site.  Based on our discussion, the Parish Council will evaluate the flight data in more detail.

The Minor Injury Units and GP Out of Hours Departments at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust have provided a leaflet that residents will hopefully find helpful titled Accessing the GP Out of Hours Service.

To view the leaflet, click here.

North Leigh Parish Council has 9 seats and only 7 were taken up in this year’s elections. Therefore, there are 2 vacancies. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, please feel free to review the Casual Vacancy Procedure and Casual Vacancy Application. If you would like to be considered for co-option at the meeting on the 9th of May, please submit an application to the Clerk at parishclerk@northleighparishcouncil.gov.uk by Friday the 3rd of May.

Below is some information about becoming a Parish Councillor.

What is a Parish Council?

A Parish Council is the local authority that makes decision on behalf of the people in the parish and makes representations on their behalf to other bodies. It is the level of government closest to the community with West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council above it.  As it is the authority closest to the people, the Parish Council is often the first place residents will go with concerns or ideas.  For this reason, it is a vital part of any community.

Parish Councils make all kinds of decisions and make representations to national bodies on issued that affect the local community. Some these include planning, managing open spaces, managing burial grounds , liaising with the police and other services, campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities and more.

There are limited powers to make decision, but Parish Councils do have the ability to negotiate with and the power to influence those other organizations that do make the final decisions.

Who can become a Parish Councillor?

To be able to stand as a candidate at a local government election in England you must:

• be at least 18 years old

• be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union,

• meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

 a. You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards.

b. You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election. For more details

c. Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the local authority area.

d. You have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.