64 residents attended as well as City Cllrs Ruth Wilkinson and David Rundle, and County Councillor Altaf Khan and (from 7:15pm) Roy Darke.

The Bursar from Headington School gave a short welcome and presentation on the School’s plans

Reports back from our last meeting:

• David‘s meeting with the Director of Estates at the JR will be scheduled on the latter’s return  from holiday
• The permission for the Manor Ground development is nearing completion
• Altaf has ensured that a county officer makes a site visit to the bus gate on 17 August  to make safety recommendations
• Ruth has investigated issues relating to bus passes and language school students; she has contacted bus companies, language schools and the City officers and is pooling her list of language school contacts with other agencies. Several residents made informed contributions re the lapsed Language Schools Forum

The new system of Ward Member Budgets was introduced. It was explained that David and Ruth would be pooling their budgets (ie £3,000 in total) to use on improvements in Headington. Residents suggested small projects on which David and Ruth’s ward budget could be spent:

• Ramp access to All Saints Church Hall
• DIY traffic calming and speed indication devices
• Painting of lamp posts in Old Headington (NB this is in hand)
• More 20 MPH roundels painted on roads
• Grant towards heating system in All Saints Church
• Education for cyclists
• Watering of small trees in London Road
• Equipment for youth and community groups
• Grit bin for St Andrew’s Lane in conservation area-friendly colour
• More bins
• Road sign for approach road to JR (NB this may be funded from alternative sources)
• Christmas lights (NB this will be funded by Headington Business Association this year)

David and Ruth invite more suggestions and ideas – it was explained that decisions on what will be proposed will be made at the next Ward Focus meeting on 18 October

Rob Lloyd-Sweet clarified the status of the Old Headington Conservation Area appraisal. Decisions on whether to permit planning applications in the conservation area will be made with reference to this document. It was made clear that any Action Plan developing from the Conservation Area Appraisal could be led by the community but would be best done through partnership working. Continuing concern over Ruskin’s proposals for the Fields was expressed.

ACTION POINTS FROM THE MEETING:

• David: to discuss with Headington School traffic issues including parking on Latimer Rd, the development of buses from Thornhill and the lack of buses on Headley Way
• Roy: next area forum on public transport should include issues related to cycling
• Ruth: to check which emergency and non-emergency vehicles are allowed to access the JR via the Osler Road gate with the Transport Manager
• Ruth, David and Altaf: committed to continue to campaign against the development of Headington Car Park
• David: to investigate with Building Control the issue of utilities failing to tidy up properly after their works
• Ruth: to attend a multi-agency meeting between city officers, TV Police, bus companies and language schools in September on behalf of Headington Neighbourhood Action Group
• Altaf: to continue to pursue the issue of the bus gate at Osler Rd / London Rd
• Ruth: to clarify at the next Neighbourhood Action Group why PCSOs patrol in pairs

Future Issues: community-led planning ; Old Road Campus (including Park Hospital development)

Date of next Ward Focus meeting: Tuesday 18 October 6.00-8.00 pm (venue to be arranged, discussions on-going with the NOC)