See also: our candidates in Headington Hill & Northway and Quarry & Risinghurst wards

This May 6th Oxford will elect its county and city councillors, as well as the Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner.

Roz Smith and Altaf-Khan and both experienced councillors who are running again this year. Stef Garden is stepping down due to moving away from Oxford, and Chris Smowton is running for her seat.

If elected, we will work to green Headington, invest in walking, cycling and buses, provide a local voice on planning, closely involve all residents in transport decisions including LTNs (low-traffic neighbourhoods), and tackle Oxford’s spiralling housing costs.

The only other realistic choice here is Labour (the Conservatives only got 6% of the Headington ward vote last time (2018), and the Greens only got 5%). We think voting Labour would be a poor choice, because they have failed to carefully listen and consult, particularly on LTNs, they have undermined our Park & Ride sites by permitting the Westgate to provide cheap central parking leading to frequent gridlock, and they have failed to deliver a safe crossing for the A40 between Risinghurst and Barton, which residents on both sides badly need.

Brief biographies of our candidates:

Roz Smith (for Headington & Quarry county division): Roz was born in Oxfordshire and has lived here for most of her life. She was first elected as a councillor in 2005. She is active as a trustee for several local charities and as a school governor. She campaigns on local green issues and wants to use her extensive council experience for the benefit of Headington residents.

Altaf-Khan (for Headington ward): Altaf has lived and worked in OX3 for more than two decades and is very familiar with the area, the people and local issues. He was first elected as an County councillor in 2005 for Headington & Marston Division. He has been Lord Mayor and served on scrutiny and planning committees. He always speaks up for our area.

Chris Smowton (for Headington ward): Dr Smowton is a local volunteer and campaigner who first ran for election in 2016. He is running for the seat currently held by Stef Garden, who is unable to continue serving as a councillor as she is moving away from Oxford. He works as a software engineer and intends to bring that problem-solving mindset to politics.

If you have questions for our candidates or anything else you’d like to say, you can get in touch any time: headington@oxonlibdems.uk

Four applications in the Headington area this week:

• An extension at 79 Staunton Road
• A loft conversion with window alterations at 4 St Andrew’s Road
• A change of use at 1A Alesworth Grove
• An extension at 5 John Buchan Road

Three applications within the broader Headington area this week:

• An extension at 10 St Anne’s Road
• An extension at 12 Forest Road
• A request to reclassify as an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) at 107 Copse Lane

Four applications in Headington ward this week:

• Building a porch at 10 Margaret Road
• Amending an extension plan at 6 Staunton Road
• Permission to show illuminated signs at 116-120 London Road
• An extension at 117 Staunton Road

Two applications in Headington Ward this week:

• An application to turn a house into an HMO on Headley Way
• An application to alter to the Nuffield Centre

We have received notification that the JR Hospital intends to land emergency helicopters at the South-East corner of their site (adjacent to Osler Road) for the next two years, due to works to upgrade their existing helipad, which is across the car park from Ambleside Road.

They advise typical traffic is 13 landings per month (so around three a week), and that after-midnight landings happen but are rare, with three in the last year.

• Replacing a conservatory with an extension; addition of solar panels at 10 Bickerton Rd
• A new build at 20a Osler Rd

The City Council maintains a regular rotation of graffiti removal teams, visiting two wards per month. The latest schedule shows that Quarry will next get a cleanup in July, followed by Headington in August.

In addition to these thorough cleans, they also remove offensive graffiti more promptly: in that case you can find instructions to report on the City Council’s website.

• An extension at 8 Staunton Road
• Installing a heat pump at 6 St. Andrew’s Lane

Three applications in Headington Ward this week:

• A variation on existing permission at 20 Osler Road
• A request to use 143 Windmill Road as a House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO)
• A request to increase the number of tenants at an existing HMO, 123 Headley Way, exceeding use-class C4 (up to 6 residents)