When did you join the council?
I joined in November 2015.
Why did you want to join the council?
I had contacted the Parish Council to request that a bench in the park was moved. It was very close to our house and we were being disturbed by antisocial behaviour late at night. Shortly after that Rachel, the clerk at that time, contacted me and ask if I would like to join the council – so I did!
What do you enjoy about being a councillor?
I enjoy giving some of my time back to the village. I think Eynsham is a great place to live and hope that, through my efforts, it may get even better. I also like meeting others in the village; there are a huge number of people with knowledge and expertise who are willing to get involved and help with activities.
What has been the most challenging aspect of the role?
It’s taken me a while to get used to how things have to be done on a Parish Council. Decisions are made either at full council or by one of the committees. This can be a lengthy process, but I’ve realised that the secret is to be well organised and fully prepared in advance – it helps us make quicker decisions.
What misconception do you think people have about the Parish Council?
I hope that the residents of the village understand that we are all volunteers; we don’t get paid for any of the work that we can do. It can be frustrating when we see negative comments from residents, but that is more than compensated for when we get a positive comment from someone.
What cause are you most passionate about?
One of the most enjoyable things that we did last year was installing the new Christmas lighting display. The installation was done by volunteers which meant that we could spend more of the budget on the lights themselves. Our aim was to bring the display up to date and add some exciting new features, which I think we achieved. The challenge now is to improve it for next year!
Why do you like living in Eynsham?
I think we are very fortunate to have great residents; brilliant facilities like the shops, the pubs, the village hall and the parks; and we’re surrounded by great countryside and the Thames, yet just a short bus journey away from Oxford city. I can’t think of many places that can top that.
What has been your favourite community activity in Eynsham so far?
Watching the Shirt Race is always hilarious. I look forward to that each year!
What is your profession?
For many years I worked as a manufacturing project manager for global medical companies. More recently I’ve become self-employed and now run a couple of small businesses and do consultancy work.
What did you enjoy about your career in manufacturing?
I had the chance to visit teams all around the world and see places that I wouldn’t have visited otherwise. I also enjoyed being busy and getting involved in exciting and challenging projects.
How do you like to spend your spare time?
I love cars and bikes, and have a collection of unusual/fast vehicles which I enjoy tinkering with and driving (when I have the time). I also do a lot of DIY and always have a project of some sort on the go.
Do you have a question or a concern you’d like Ross to raise with the council? Contact him via ross.macken@eynsham-pc.gov.uk. If you're interested in joining Ross on the Parish Council, take a look at the job description to check eligibility and find out how to apply.