North Hinksey Community Governance Review: we'd like your feedback

1

Vale Community Impact

1

This seems sensible. I have no strong views

2

Always wondered why Botley was not included or the main name. Why continue to use the North Hinksey?

3

Most of the area is Botley - it reflects reality

4

(a) I am strongly opposed to including the name 'Botley' within the name of North Hinksey Parish Council.

(b) I prefer the name of the council to reflect a defined geographical area, in this case the Parish of North Hinksey.

(c) Inclusion of the name Botley risks confusion with New Botley, Botley Road, Old Botley and parts of Cumnor Parish which are sometimes referred to as Botley (e.g. Dean Court, Deanfield, Fogwell and Lower Cumnor Hill).

(d) The proposed new name is not inclusive. Although it contains the names of Botley and North Hinksey it excludes other areas such as Harcourt Hill, Elms Rise and Tilbury Fields.

5

The Parish boundary is in the wrong place. The busy A34 dual carriageway has been the effective physical and social barrier between Botley and North Hinksey Village/North Hinksey lane for 50 years. Nobody from North Hinksey or North Hinksey lane is represented on the Parish Council. Moreover the high-handed and undemocratic behaviour of the small cotterie of Botley residents comprising the controlling "Councillors For Our Community" politiocal party is deeply resented within North Hinksey Lane and North Hinksey Village.Local resident object to NHPC's interference with the community's use of the Village Green, their inability to mow it without letters of complaint, the threat posed by NHPC to this precious green space and their appalling eviction of the local scout group, which is the largest and most vibrant community group in the parish.

6

Despite many requests at North Hinksey Parish Council meetings no one has ever been able to state where 'Botley' actually is and that North Hinksey has a boundary but 'Botley' does not. It is therefore pointless to change the name as it would have no meaning.

7

I strongly support changing the name to include the phrase "Botley and North Hinksey", as this would give a much more accurate reflection of the population that the council represents.

8

The inclusion of Botley demonstrates that the Council represents Botley too. This is important as Botley is see as distinct from North Hinksey.

9

I have lived in the parish for almost 18 years and Botley is what I use in my address and when speaking about where I live in common with my neighbours. When we talk about North Hinksey we mean North Hinksey village which is part of the parish but just one part. I helped set up the Botley and North Hinksey Community website in 2012 and we were clear to list Botley clearly as the location covered. I have been a parish councillor since 2015 and find it frustrating that the name of the Council can be misleading and is not inclusive of the majority of parishioners.

10

North Hinksey is seen as being the area around North Hinksey lane, east of the A34. Most people in the parish live in Botley / Elms Rise

1

The recommendation arising from the first consultation was further consultation on the proposal. However, this consultation document states: "Following comments received during the previous consultation, the Vale’s Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee has agreed to amend the name of North Hinksey parish to include the name Botley and to alter the status of the parish to a community council". Why is the committee asking for consultation responses if it has already made a decision?

During the previous consultation there were 8 responses. 5 disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposed changes (62.5%) and 3 agreed or strongly agreed (37.5%). Why did the committee agree to amend the name and status of the council if the outcome of the initial consultation was against the changes?

If the current consultation shows a majority in favour of retaining the name and/or status of North Hinksey Parish Council, will the Vale’s Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee respect that outcome and retain the name and/or status as appropriate?

2

NHPC is fundamentally undemocratic, abusing its power to rig local consutations to obtain the desired results, ignoring local opinions, controlling local media and harrassing any councillors or members of the public who object to this. There is every reason to believe the behaviour of some councillors is fraudulent or illegal in other respects. Multiple complaints to VWHDC are routinely brushed aside. NHPC is arguably the worst governed parish council in the country.

3

Yes, it is a waste of time and money in a period when other matters should take priority.

4

I am surprised to hear of these proposals for the first time on the day before the deadline for comments. If it was not for a brief notice today on the Botley Facebook page, I would have known nothing about it.