SEATS have been vacated on an Oxford council after a string of resignations.

Littlemore Parish Council is seeking new members after three councillors stepped down in the space of two months.

Two of the three cited concerns about a hike in the parish precept, part of council tax charged to residents, among their reasons for resigning.

A post on the council’s website, published last week, stated: “Following the resignation of three councillors, Littlemore Parish Council seeks expressions of interest from electors in Littlemore parish (or within three miles) who wish to apply for one of these casual vacancies.”

Chairwoman of the council, Lynda Comber, said: "We are always sad to lose hard-working and effective parish councillors, but we have the opportunity to co-opt some new replacements who want to make Littlemore an even better place for everyone.

"Last time we had more candidates that spare places, so I would urge everyone to consider volunteering for the parish and getting involved in local issues."

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There are 16 seats on the council, and it meets monthly at its base at The Oxford Academy school.

The council has set a budget for the 2019-20 year of £96,579, an increase of £8,678 on the previous year.

Minutes of its full meeting in February said this equates to Band D households paying £4.05 extra this year for the parish precept - an 8.1 per cent rise.

In February David Henwood, who is still city councillor for Cowley, resigned from Littlemore Parish Council after 13 years.

At the time he said he was ‘disgusted’ by the increase in precept over the years, describing Littlemore as one of the city’s ‘poorest communities.’

Since then Matthew Hutton has also stepped down from the parish council.

He said: “I resigned because they have taken little effort to consider value for money - especially around administration and amenities. This is on top of an increase of the parish portion of council tax by 72 per cent over the past five years.”

Former parish councillor Mashhuda Glencross has also resigned, but said this was only due to moving abroad for a new job.

Oxford City Council’s website compares Band D council taxes, including parish precepts, for 2019-20.

The figure for Littlemore residents is £348.68, compared to £340.49 in Old Marston, £329.55 in Risinghurst and Sandhills and £313.44 in Blackbird Leys.

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Mr Henwood said: “I would really encourage Littlemore residents to join Littlemore Parish Council, as change will only come about if we as individuals believe change is possible.

“Personally I found the astronomical increase in precept charges too immoral, unethical and unnecessary.” He said he plans to rejoin the council ‘at a later date’ to lobby for a ‘fairer precept.’

The council has not specifically responded to concerns about the precept but Ms Comber said: "Recently Littlemore Parish [Council] has put up bollards to protect the village green, bought two speed signs to make our roads safer. and is about to make small grants to local groups."

Interested candidates for the vacancies can write to the council clerk at The Oxford Academy, Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, OX4 6JZ, or via clerk@littlemoreparishcouncil.gov.uk.

Details required include name, address, contact number, and reasons for wanting to join. The deadline is Friday, April 26.