Help Shape Bloxham’s Future – Become a Parish Councillor

 Bloxham Parish Council has always been an active and committed body. It serves as a primary point of contact between residents and local government.

In May 2022, a Parish Council election will be held and a new group of twelve councillors will be chosen for the next four years.

The current Chairman of the Parish Council, Leonard Leigh, commented that ‘the Parish Council plays an important role in local government and its influence and impact has increased in recent years, a trend that is likely to continue.  It is also important that a good range of committed candidates should seek nomination because the village needs thoughtful and energetic representatives to help it meet future challenges’.

Councillor Leigh also advised that ‘the Parish Council plays a vital role in planning and development decisions. It must be consulted by Cherwell District Council on planning applications in its area and can say whether it supports or objects. However the functions of the Parish Council go well beyond planning. Through its contractors, the Council actively manages much of the local environment and open space, either directly where the Council is responsible or in consultation with landowners. This includes carefully managing common green areas, allowing some wildlife habitat as well as mowing, clearing footpaths, tree work, providing benches, planters, bus shelters, litter and dog waste bins. The Council also manages the Slade Nature Reserve.’

The Bloxham Annual Parish Meeting is being held on Wednesday 23 March 2022 at 730pm at Jubilee Hall and all residents are invited to attend, especially those who might be interested in standing as a Councillor.  The close of nominations for the Parish Council elections will be around two weeks after the Annual Parish Meeting, which allows time for any prospective candidates to gather any further information about the workings of the Parish Council, prior to submitting their nomination papers to Cherwell District Council.

To be eligible to be a Bloxham Parish Councillor, you need to be over 18 and live, work or study in or near to Bloxham.

The next meetings of the Parish Council are being held on 7 March 2022 and 4 April 2022 at 7.30pm at Jubilee Hall, Bloxham.  All residents are invited to attend.

You can find out more about Bloxham Parish Council and its work online at: www.bloxhamparishcouncil.co.uk.

If you are interested in becoming a councillor the Parish Council would very much like to hear from you. Please contact Theresa Goss, bloxhamparishcouncil@gmail.com or 01295 710965 for further information.