SIXTY people attended a public meeting to assess support for creating the first new parish council in Oxford for 40 years.

Residents agreed to set up an informal steering body to investigate the benefits of creating what would be the city’s fifth parish council.

The idea was put forward by a group of residents from St Margaret’s, which lies to the south-west of Summertown and north of Jericho, who want to take control the area’s open spaces and help support local community groups.

But after hearing about the obstacles that still lie ahead, the meeting held on Tuesday night at the St Margaret’s Institute, decided to hold back from initiating an early bid.

Author and St Margaret’s resident Chris Goodall, pictured, 56, one of the residents who came up with the idea, said: “The meeting discussed the pros and cons. People felt there would be many obstacles and want to be sure what the benefits would be.

“We have decided to create an informal body before deciding whether to go through the process.”