A SECOND chairman of a parish council has stepped down, blaming apathy on the estate as one of the reasons.

Gerry Webb, who officially took up the post on Blackbird Leys Parish Council just over a year ago, will instead take over the role as vice chairman, supporting Gordon Roper who has been re-elected chairman.

In 2007, former chairman Brian Lester also resigned for the same reason.

He recently rejoined the body, saying he has more to offer the community.

Mr Webb, 64, said he no longer wanted to lead the council after becoming fed up with just a few councillors working for the whole community.

He added he also had health problems.

Mr Webb, 64, of Frys Court, Greater Leys, said: “I think other people need to come forward and use the parish council or lose it altogether.

“We can’t keep going on with the same few people doing all the running about for the community.

“I want to go round the community and encourage people to understand the parish council doesn’t mean the church. It means the parish we live in.

“We have got a lot of ethnic groups on the estate and I would like to see representatives from them supporting the community.”

Mr Roper was chairman for 18 months two years ago, before Mr Webb took over.

The council has a total of nine councillors, but has positions for 14.

Mr Webb said the council was an important force in the community and over the past year had influenced a number of changes on the estate.

It has recently campaigned for the introduction of CCTV cameras outside shops in Blackbird Leys Road and in Dunnock Way, worked to keep public lavatories open and put pressure on County Hall to install gates in a rat run for troublemakers between Windale Avenue and Pegasus Road.

He said: “We’ve got to get the message out that without the parish council, things like grants won’t be available for local groups and people won’t be able to have a say in the community.

“We only need about half a dozen more people to come in.

Mr Roper said: “What we want is more people to come and sit on the parish council. If you are interested, come to the next meeting or give me a ring.”

Council meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the month at 7pm in Blackbird Leys Community Centre in Blackbird Leys Road.