When did you join Eynsham Parish Council?
I joined the team at Eynsham Parish Council at the beginning of 2025.
What appealed about this role in particular?
Eynsham is a lovely village with an active community, focused on supporting the wider community. This is mirrored in the commitment from Parish Councillors and the staff, and in the ambitious projects they plan and deliver. I know that a lot of developments are planned locally and the Parish Council is keen to ensure that these offer the best outcomes for new and existing residents. The role appealed as I felt it would give me an opportunity to share and expand my skills to help support these projects and outcomes.
What was your previous job?
I was previously employed as Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer for Wheatley Parish Council.
Do you live locally?
Unfortunately, I don't live in Eynsham but have lived in and around Oxford/Oxfordshire all my life.
Why do you enjoy working in local governance?
Making a difference is my main motivator. Then getting to do so alongside committed colleagues, Councillors and community members to provide sustainable services, facilities, support and activities in the community just puts the cherry on top of the cake for me!
What can be the biggest challenges when working in local governance?
Resources are generally the biggest challenges, whether financial or people-power. Local councils have to make a considered decision on how they fund facilities and services so that they do not add to the personal financial pressures of its residents, yet facilities and services need to be managed and maintained with ever-increasing costs.
Whilst the staff can undertake much of the work, other areas do fall to councillors and volunteers. The more councillors we have joining the Parish Council, the more we can collectively achieve, and the workload is shared. It would be lovely to have all fifteen positions on Eynsham Parish Council filled.
What have your first impressions of Eynsham been?
I have been impressed with the number of community groups within the village providing activities and support in so many ways. I have been able to meet just a small number of some of these amazing people and I hope to meet many more at council or community events over the coming months.
What local events are you looking forward to being part of in 2025?
We are busy working on the Annual Parish Meeting, which is a meeting for all members of the community on 4 March in 2025. In the summer we will see the return of the Play & Activity Day, organised by Oxfordshire Play Association. This event is such a fab day of free activities for everyone, and I enjoy being involved. And, of course, there is Eynsham Carnival. I have not been before, but I have heard so much about it already!
What are you looking forward to focusing on with the Parish Council for 2025?
Eynsham Parish Council has an ambitious strategic plan and project list, so one of my tasks will be reviewing this alongside the council team, and then beginning to work on the core priorities. One of these will be launching an Art Trail in the village. More information will be released in the coming months on this, but it’s an exciting opportunity to work with local artists and members of the community.
What do you wish more people knew about Parish Councils?
It's not all meetings and bureaucracy! We work for and on behalf of the local community, hopefully improving the village for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors. Yes, decisions are made collectively in meetings and yes there are legal processes that we have to follow, but Eynsham Parish Council is very proactive and keen to deliver its projects.
I would urge anyone who wants to know more to come along or join one of our meetings. We meet in the Village Hall or you can watch online from the comfort of your own home. Anyone who wants to know what decisions we have made can read the minutes from our meetings. These are all available on this website or hard copies are available from the Parish Office in the Village Hall. Get involved!
What do you enjoy doing when not at work?
I am currently undertaking a part time course studying Community Governance, but when I am not at work or studying, I’m with my family, walking our dog and at weekends I play hockey.
Contact Michelle on epc.clerk@eynsham-pc.gov.uk.