Ward Boundaries – new consultation

TonyOX3

The Local Government Boundary Commission is carrying out a review of the Ward boundaries in Oxford. They have already decided to keep the number of Councillors in Oxford at 48, the same as now. The boundaries haven’t changed since 2002 and the Commission believes they need to be updated to rebalance the numbers of voters in each ward. They have begun a consultation in which anyone – person or organisation – can propose new boundaries. Submissions must be received by 19 March.

The City Council has a good explanation of the process on their website. The Boundary Commission’s map of the current boundaries is here, although the labelling of the wards is a bit hit-and-miss. If you click on the map inside any ward, data on electorate numbers is shown below the map.

Have fun!

Headington Headlines #351

TonyOX3

Your weekly round-up of local news for 1 – 7 January.

Thieves broke into Headington Co-op at about 4.15am on Wednesday morning and stole cigarettes. The police were still there at mid-day but removed the cordon soon after. They are appealing for witnesses.

Police outside the Co-op at 12.00
Police outside the Co-op at 12.00

If you have finished with your real Christmas tree, here’s how and where you can recycle it. Please don’t just dump it!

Independent Marston Councillor Mick Haines has left it rather late to try to rally support for his objections to the Access to Headington work which starts in a couple of weeks.

Active posts on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

    • Reply re Barton park
    • Barton Park Prices

Headington Headlines #350

TonyOX3

Your weekly round-up of local news for 25- 31 December.

A quiet week with nothing particular to report but two planning applications from before Christmas deserve a mention. Best wishes to all in OX3 for a peaceful and productive 2018.

The change-of-use application (ref. 17/02969/B56) to build 134 flats on the Nielsen site was approved on 21 December. The Oxford Times gives the background to the story. I’ve written a separate article about the City’s conditions relating to access by bike and on foot.

No surprises that the Planning Review Committee meeting on 13 December gave permission for the development of Cotuit Hall in Pullens Lane (see my earlier article). This was the scheme originally rejected by East Area Planning Committee for failing to comply with several policies in the City’s Local Plan and the Headington Neighbourhood Plan. These non-compliances will now be addressed in conditions to be drawn up by City Officers under delegated powers – a weakness in the planning process which in my opinion avoids close scrutiny both of the drafting of the terms and the eventual outcome.

My favourite Headington-related tweet:

A pair of tweets this week. There’s a narrow boat on the Oxford Canal called ‘Cuckoo Lane’.

And here’s a picture of the boat:

Active posts on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • Over-60s exercise classes starting in Old Headington