THE four Labour councillors on West Oxfordshire District Council often have to work hard to get their voices heard and differentiate their views from the overwhelming Conservative majority.

But Labour councillor Duncan Enright, right, possibly went too far at a planning committee meeting on Monday during a discussion about application for an over-55s apartment complex.

Mr Enright noted to the committee that he was the only member that would not be able to get one of the apartments.

OXFORDSHIRE County Council cabinet member Arash Fatemian, pictured, did little to change the view that council meetings can be dull affairs earlier this week.

He Tweeted: “Must be a quiet news day as [a BBC Oxford journalist] is at OxfordshireCC cabinet meeting.”

Mind you, he did say the journalist’s chair would be cushioned this time, so at least there are some benefits to attending.

ROSE Hill resident and Headington city councillor Ruth Wilkinson was chuffed to bits when she won a model Mr and Mrs Snowman in the prize draw at the Rose Hill and Donnington Advice Centre.

The pair are now sure to take pride of place in the Wilkinson household but what else will the Lib Dem councillor have on her Christmas list? A resolution to the 29 Old High Street saga perhaps?

FORGET the number of homes desperately needed in Oxfordshire, councillors are hoping pubs will be built in equal measure.

Two members of a West Oxfordshire District Council planning committee spoke out about the need for pubs as they discussed a plan to build 1,000 homes west of Witney.

Councillors discussed many ways of improving the application, but opinions certainly weren’t divided over the main attraction.

Witney councillor and tourism chief Richard Langridge said: “I would again support a pub very strongly because I need to be consistent.”

And Carterton councillor Pete Handley added: “The application looks good, but they always look good at this stage.

“People very often buy houses because they are close by to a pub.”

Glad to hear both of these pub enthusiasts have their priorities sorted out.