Here are some of the New Year’s resolutions councillors are making to help the community.

Mayor of Witney Cllr Joy Aitman, Witney East

After spending four days sorting, wrapping and delivering over 3,000 presents for over 700 children, my wish is that families in West Oxfordshire do not have to rely on charity for their basic needs. It was reported earlier in the year that Witney Baby Bank was “booming”. The headline I would like to see is “Witney Baby Bank “numbers are falling”. Thank you to all our voluntary groups in Witney for everything they do for our community.

Cllr Liz Leffman, Charlbury and Finstock, leader of Oxfordshire County Council

My biggest hope is that 2022 is the year when we finally see the back of Covid 19. Having said which, much of what has happened in the past 18 months is worth holding on to, and I hope the way that people have worked together to support the most vulnerable members of our communities will continue. During the pandemic we have seen the number of people needing support from local food banks increase sharply, and the lives of our children and young people seriously disrupted. I hope very much that during 2022, this will all change for the better.

Cllr Duncan Enright, Witney North and East, Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy

My hopes for 2022 are for cleaner safer roads around Witney and Oxfordshire. Next year plans for improving the A40 will be agreed at last, and we can look forward to better buses and cycle lanes. I'm also looking forward to more wildlife planting across our beautiful town, including trees to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Cllr David Harvey, deputy leader, Cabinet Member for Climate Change

As the Climate Action Portfolio Holder on WODC, I am looking forward to making further strides in reaching the Council's commitment to become Carbon Neutral by 2030 and my hopes are for a Healthy and Happy 2022 for everyone in West Oxfordshire.

Cllr Dan Levy, district and county councillor representing Eynsham and Cassington

In the year that the massive housing developments to the north and west of Eynsham will probably start being built, my hope for the year is that the year's elections  will see WODC being run by an administration that no longer puts the interests of property developers ahead of those of residents.   And that Thames Water finally start investing in infrastructure so that we don't see flooding on our streets and sewage in our rivers.

Cllr Merilyn Davies, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing

Covid has been an awful time, and I know going into 2022 the sense of dread I feel about having another year of it, is shared by most people. So my 2022 is going to be all about making sure we look at the best things that have come out of the pandemic and try to keep them going: neighbours helping each other; a resurgence of what it means to be a community; people feeling together rather than alone; an appreciation of how important we are to each other and what amazing things we can achieve at a local level. I'm also going to finish my third book or my agent will kill me.

Cllr Andy Graham, Charlbury and Finstock district councillor and county councillor

As opposition group leader my goal is to ensure we ensure infrastructure before housing and we ensure we create new partnerships to build a new health centre and a new library for Woodstock. The health and well-being of our communities, particularly in rural areas, is at the core of sustaining our communities, looking after our older generations but building one and two bedroomed houses for future generations to high ecological and environmental standards that are truly affordable is a must. 

Give communities more say in determining their destiny!

Cllr Andrew Coles, Witney South and Central

In 2022 I am determined to further help a couple of important organisations that provide vital work locally. West Oxfordshire Community Transport continues to go from strength to strength but still faces a challenging time. The service really is a lifeline for those that use it and delivers so much more than just a bus ride. The Minster Lovell Hedgehog Rescue Centre (Minster Hedgies), of which I'm a trustee, has also been doing outstanding work and is keen to become a registered charity. Hedgehogs are vulnerable to extinction so every one we rescue and return to the wild will count.

Cllr Andrew Prosser, Witney North, Witney Town and West Oxfordshire District Council

I hope that in 2022 there is finally some proper relief from Covid-19, particularly for our front-line workers, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and teachers. Scientists originally said it could take several years to dampen down the impacts. Let’s hope we are in a stronger position next winter. It would be great to have more live music and gatherings next year. For the sake of our society and planet, 2022 has to be the year that everything speeds up in terms of climate action. I want our government and local councils to really start taking much faster, and more radical action.