BLACKBIRD Leys Parish Council should be run without the involvement of political parties, according to the second chairman to resign from the group in six months.

Lee Cole resigned on Tuesday, saying enough residents had stepped in to run the council.

His decision came just six months after the Independent Working Class Association city councillor took over from Brian Lester, who resigned after 14 years on the council, six as chairman.

Mr Cole said: "At the time I took over I thought it would be a shame if all the hard work put in over the years was allowed to go, so wanted to inject new life into it.

"I said at the time if it got to the stage there were more people who wanted to join I would stand aside. This is definitely not the end of the parish council and it is as strong as ever."

Mr Cole said fellow councillors Rae Humberstone and Val Smith should give up their posts.

He added: "The parish council has 14 members which is the most it has had in years. It now has more residents involved and if the new members wanted it to take the direction they wanted, without political members involved, then they now can.

"I believe now there is enough people there so it should be a residents' organisation with no political bodies involved."

Twelve of the 14 members of the parish council are local residents from Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys.

Former chairman Brian Lester and deputy Bob Avery resigned in May, blaming the apathy of people on the estate.

During that time the council, which can allocate thousands of pounds of grants to community groups, was struggling to keep operating.

Labour county councillor Val Smith said: "I only joined because I was asked earlier in the year when the parish council needed more numbers. I will see where we are at the next meeting."

Gordon Roper has taken over as acting chairman.