I WAS so surprised to read in a recent Oxford Mail article that the Blackbird Leys Parish Council could be “on brink of disappearing” due to lack of councillors.

How can this be within such a vibrant and thriving part of Oxford? Demographically, according to the Census 2011, the population is between 6,000 to 13,000 residents. Surely there must be men and women, young and old, amongst them all who feel and want to make changes to their environment.

Parish councils may be on the lower tier of government but they do have their ear to the ground and are fully aware of what needs to be done, and get things done.

Gordon Roper, Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman, has been a stalwart of his community for 19 years. He, and the other members deserves greater backup. There are 14 seats required to form a full contingent. Fifty per cent remain vacant. His fellow councillors, Ann Booker, Peter Carter, John Dillon, Christopher Hatton, Daniel Jones and Patrick Stannard, along with clerk Nicky Clargo, need them now!

Ironically, a friend who lives in Greater Leys, encouraged me to stand for the 2014 Old Marston Parish Council election. I did and won a seat. The last three years, for me, have been so rewarding.

I now have a voice that can and has been heard in our community. There is so much to do and being done in our parish. I cannot imagine life now without being involved with such a fine team.

We have a full contingent of 12 councillors and a very hardworking clerk. Sometimes, so much is the interest, that we often are outnumbered by the public.

There are four parish councils within Oxford City and we all meet up three to four times a year at the Parish Forum in Town Hall. There we get to personally meet with city councillors and its officers and learn first-hand what is happening.

So, come on Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys, your parish council needs you now. Don’t wait for the election in May 2018 – make contact now and become co-opted on to your council.

ANTHONY GREENFIELD

Raymund Road, Old Marston