I WOULD like to express my concerns following the report in the Oxford Mail (May 23) over the resignation of Cllr Brian Lester from Blackbird Leys Parish Council.

I have been working as clerk for the parish council for over a year now and it is proactive in what it does and the driving force behind the work is Cllr Gordon Roper, who works tirelessly to support other councillors in their roles and to work for the greater good of the residents on the estate.

In 2014-15, the parish council awarded grants totalling over £28,000 to worthy local causes such as the skateboard park, RAF Cadets, Church of the Holy Family, Leys Community Development Initiative, Senior Leys Independent Gardening Organisation, Friendlys, Blackbird Leys adventure playground, Blackbird Leys choir, Leys CDI, Leys News, Blackbird Leys Neighbourhood Support Scheme, The Leys Festival, Oxfordshire County Music Service, Greater Leys Youth Football Club, Blackbird Leys Youth Detachment, The Pathway Workshop and Dovecote Afterschool Club.

Without the support of the parish council, some of these projects would not have happened or had funding to run.

The parish councillors also work closely with the city and county councillors, police, the Community Response Team, the Communities and Neighbourhoods Team and local residents to ensure that any issues or concerns that are raised are addressed as quickly and smoothly as possible.

There are regular walkabouts on the estate and multiple meetings behind the scenes with Oxford City Council staff and county councillors to address items as they arise. I sincerely hope this puts the residents of Blackbird Leys parish’s minds at rest and would urge the public to attend the parish council meetings should they have anything they wish to discuss.

NICKY CLARGO
Clerk
Blackbird Leys Parish Council