Elections are necessarily a time when we look back at what has been achieved in the past years. What Ruth and myself have found so encouraging over the recent weeks is how many times people have said ‘thank you’ for a job well done or remarked how Headington is improving. That makes the hard slog of being a councillor worthwhile!

But elections are also a time to look ahead to  what more needs to be done and what more can be achieved. There are so many issues that are continuing or now emerging that whoever are your councillors will need to run to keep up — and, if Ruth is (as I fervently hope) re-elected tomorrow, I’m sure we’ll have the stamina for the task. Here are some of the big issues that residents have told us will need tackling:

• our car park – together we fought of Labour’s plans to build on it – now we need to improve it so we can help make our district centre yet better
• our district centre – we want to make sure it thrives and that will need work to encourage footfall and to support local businesses
• our Library – Ruth was part of the campaign that saw off the threat of closure – but what it needs now is to be open for everyone and that means high standard disabled access
• traffic in our area – we want efficient buses but where people want them – not more down Osler Road but a better service for Headley Way. More generally, what Headington needs is a strategy for its traffic problems
• balance in our community – with Dorset House soon opening as student accommodation, it’s obvious that our community is changing and change always provides challenges – we must work to minimize problems and maximises the benefits change can bring to our area

To make progress on any of these, Headington will need a strong team — a team of residents, businesses and elected representatives. I believe Ruth and I have provided an effective team over the past four years; I hope that you, who have to make the decision tomorrow about who will work best for Headington, ensure that team-work can continue.