CONSERVATION, congestion and business issues will be among those discussed at a series of new residents’ meetings in Headington.

Those behind the idea said the launch had been sparked by confusion about the various different public meetings held in the area.

Residents will be able to raise problems, hear updates on ongoing issues and have their say on the future of Headington.

Run by Headington Liberal Democrat city councillors Ruth Wilkinson and David Rundle, the focus meetings will be held at venues across the area each month.

Mrs Wilkinson said: “I think there’s a huge amount of confusion about what is discussed at various types of council meeting.

“People are confused about what meeting they should go to.”

The Labour-run city council scrapped monthly area committees in April.

The meetings dealt with neighbourhood issues, planning applications and grants to community groups.

They have been replaced by quarterly area forums, with planning decisions handed to two newly created east and west planning committees covering the city.

Mrs Wilkinson said: “At area forums, they will be discussing maybe one or two main themes, which may not interest people.

“We’re going to create a 30-minute slot for people to come and talk to us.

“We’ve invited the county councillors and we would like to see residents, representatives from local groups, neighbourhood wardens and businesses.

“We want to build it up so everyone knows what everyone else is doing.”

The theme for the first meeting this month will be a recent study of the Old Headington conservation area.

Other issues to be discussed in the future include traffic problems, parking and things affecting local businesses.

Individual councillors have also been given £1,500 each to spend on community projects. Mrs Wilkinson said: “I would like to involve local people with how that should be spent. We want to be fully accountable.

“At the end of the day, the people are paying us, so they should be able to see what we’re doing.”

The first focus meeting is on Monday, July 19, at Headington Baptist Church Hall, in Old High Street, at 6pm.