THE Insider was interested to learn that Ed Turner, the deputy leader of Oxford City Council, was assistant referee in the football match between politicians and journalists at this week’s Labour Conference.

This was the same football match that saw Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, elbow an opponent in the face (apparently accidentally), which drew blood.

Fortunately for Mr Turner the Shadow Chancellor got away with his bruising tackle – perhaps this means he will be more favourably inclined towards Oxford if he ever comes to decide on the city’s financial settlement?

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  • Arash Fatemian

CABINET members on Oxfordshire County Council have been busy making a new friend.

Lawrie Stratford has been appointed cabinet member for finance – or grand controller of the purse-strings – following the resignation of Arash Fatemian.

At recent meetings his fellow cabinet members have been only too keen to give him a warm welcome to the top tier of council officialdom.

Could this have something to do with the fact that the county council’s budget is currently being put together?

 

THERE are plenty of reasons that parish council meetings are cancelled, but martial arts is rarely one of them.

South Hinksey Parish Council has been forced to hold its next meeting at a councillor’s house because a Bushido martial arts class is using the village hall that night.

Perhaps the councillors should go along for a session – they might pick up some tips in fighting the bigger councils for their rights.


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