NEARLY 18,000 people in Headington could get a new tier of local government as campaigners explore new ways to get residents' voices heard.

The Headington Neighbourhood Forum, which is creating a neighbourhood plan for the area, received calls for a parish council after sending out a consultation to residents.

Now members of the group formulating the Headington Plan think that creating a parish council will ensure that the Headington Plan is carried out. By law, organisations must consult with parish councils on these type of plans.

Chairman of campaign group Headington Action Patrick Coulter said: “We are currently formulating the Headington Plan and once it is completed it will be necessary for a sort of mechanism to be put in place to push the plan through.

“It’s an option and I think as a statutory body it gives them [Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council] someone to answer to about local issues."

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“We wouldn’t consider it if it was just another level of bureaucracy, we would only consider it if it could help get the people of Headington’s voices heard.”

After receiving 500 responses from a public consultation last year, Headington Neighbourhood Forum are currently formulating a plan for the area that they will submit to the council.

In the plan, they will advise the city and county council on issues like education, business, housing and transport.

Overwhelmingly, responses to the consultation said traffic and congestion in Headington was one of the biggest issues hitting the area.

It is hoped that residents can vote on the finished plan in November 2015.

Chairman of the Neighbourhood Steering Committee Mike Ratcliffe said: “We’re looking at all of the options on how the Headington Plan can be implemented once it has gone to referendum.

“One option is a parish council and it might be that this is the preferred option. Having a democratically elected group of people representing the community at this level could be important.”

There are currently only four parish councils in Oxford. These remained after villages such as Old Marston and Littlemore were merged with the city council authority in the 1970s. Parish councils are the first tier of local Government. They can look after things such as bus shelters, parks, pathways and community halls.

By law they must be informed of planning applicationsmade in their area.

Mr Ratcliffe added: “Headington has a large population and some town councils would have the same population as Headington. We’re not expecting the same powers of a town council who have control over planning.

“But What we would like is the statutory requirement for councils to consult the community on issues such as transport."

“That way the local people can have a say.”

Oxfordshire County councillor for Headington and Quarry Roz Smith, said: “A parish council is the first level of local government and is an important way for the community to get involved in local issues.

“It could be a great thing for Headington.”