A snap by-election will be taking place in Oxford on Thursday this week.
It is going to give householders in Marston the chance to choose their next councillor.
This comes after Green councillor Alistair Morris resigned last month due to "health reasons".
READ MORE: Oxfordshire council to restrict development in flood areas
Candidates have been put forward by Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Conservatives and the Independent Oxford Alliance.
They have each answered the same three questions below and are listed in the same order they appear on the city council website.
Duncan Hatfield Valentine - Conservatives
Why should people vote for you?
"I have been part of the Marston community for about 30 years.
"I have been involved with various projects and organisations which has given an understanding of the issues affecting Marston and an opportunity to make
a difference.
"I feel that Marston is often over-looked in favour of other areas of Oxford.
"I want to direct resources to tackle local crime and provide better support for our young people.
"I believe in getting things done rather than just talking about it. Some of my projects included getting lighting in School Lane, one of the art projects in at
the underpass and extending the footpath in Elsfield Road."
Tell us a bit more about yourself
"I am the chairman of Old Marston Parish Council and Old Marston
Charities Trust.
"I am a member of the parochial church council in Old Marston.
"I am one of the founders and organisers of the Marston community market.
"I organise the local OxClean litter pick in Old Marston.
"I have worked as a carer and administrator. I have built and manage websites for a number of local community groups.
"I am a treasurer for the local bell ringers. For a number of years I helped run a local youth club."
What issues are important to you in Oxford?
"I believe we should keep Marston Ferry Road open, stop the LTNs and spend money on fixing roads, build a multi-storey car park at the John Radcliffe, improve safety and lighting on cycle routes, improve pavements for pedestrians.
"I am opposed to the Workplace Parking Levey which will hurt our hospital and schools staff.
"I want to support our local businesses bringing jobs and money to our local community.
"We should balance bio-diversity with common sense and take action on fly tipping, recycling and flooding, protecting our community from excessive
developments which increases pollution and traffic.
"I want to improve services for our young people and action on crime."
Nasreen Majeed - Independent Oxford Alliance
Why should people vote for you?
"Marston residents should vote for me because I’ve lived in Oxford since age four, and in Marston for seven years.
"I am fed up with seeing deterioration to our lovely neighbourhood - grass cutting; verges churned up; potholes; litter; leaf clearing; neglected cycle tracks; reduced bus routes; impending Marston Ferry Rd bus gate; likely future LTNs etc.
"This has happened during the lengthy watch of incumbent councillors, who follow their party whip.
"As an independent, I have no party-line to follow and will vote according to the wishes of Marston residents.
"I reject claims of 'there is no money'.
"There is demonstrable evidence that the money is available to provide basic amenities that residents have a right to expect, but this has been squandered by poor spending decisions.
"As a finance professional, I will be challenging this, and hold the city council and ODS accountable."
Tell us a bit more about yourself?
"I was brought up in north and east Oxford and went to the wonderful Cherwell School.
"I am a busy Mum to four grown-up children.
"I work part time as a finance professional and run a small business.
"I mostly cycle to get about and always feel uplifted when I pass our beautiful historic colleges and city centre buildings.
"I make good use of Oxford’s varied artistic offerings, enjoy reading and creative writing.
"I try to do the best I can for those around me, and have the confidence to speak up for those who do not have a voice."
What issues are important to you in Oxford?
"It is important for me to have a safe, clean and pleasant local and city environment, in which to work and live.
"Residents should have access to good public transport and be free to travel around the city without being stuck in gridlock and suffering the resulting pollution.
"Oxford city currently looks shambolic and unkempt, and transport is not fit for purpose. I am embarrassed to think what visitors must think. I wish for Oxford to return to look and function as the world class city that we know it to be."
Kathy Norman - Liberal Democrat
Why should people vote for you?
"I won’t be copying Ed Davey and abseiling down Carfax Tower.
"But I will commit to working hard for residents and staying in touch all year round. The Lib Dems are the largest opposition group at the city council and provide a strong challenge to the Labour administration.
"In Marston we'll work to deliver more reliable buses, including supporting the bus gates trial (and being open to changes where needed).
"We’ll also support measures to enhance active travel. And will focus on planning policy, to help find a balance between housing and protecting green spaces such as parks and allotments."
Tell us a bit more about yourself
"I’ve lived in Oxford for 30 years and love its blend of history and vitality. And I am committed to supporting all residents, including those of all races and religions and all LGBTQ+ people.
"I hold a postgraduate degree in Natural Resource Management and want to help lead the changes to tackle the climate crisis and create a greener, more sustainable city.
"I’ve worked in manufacturing, publishing and youth services and have broad experience to bring to the role.
"I’m committed to giving back to the community through volunteering, and have worked at the Oxfam Bookshop for 15 years."
What issues are important to you in Oxford
"I’m concerned about the high cost of housing and its effects.
"There’s lots of employment in our vibrant city, which puts pressure on places to live, and we need more affordable housing.
"New developments need a good percentage of affordable residential properties.
"I worked for Oxfordshire County Council’s youth engagement and opportunities team and work part-time at a local school.
"I’m committed to giving all young people a good start, and to providing strong support for those with additional needs.
"I also want to focus on improving amenities in our city for everyone, from public toilets to public transport."
Kate Josephine Robinson - Green Party
Why should people vote for you?
"I have lived in the Marston/Headington area for 20 years and I feel really committed to improving the area.
"My children have grown up here and attend local schools and we use the local library, parks, shops, community centres and amenities.
"I am co-founder of Marston Community Gardening, where we promote community building and health and wellbeing through tree-planting, increasing biodiversity and growing food.
"I am also a member of the Marston Eco Group and Low Carbon Marston.
"I am a volunteer at a local foodbank and have helped set up Northway and Marston Community Kitchen, where we provide free, seasonal, delicious food.
"My day job is as a public librarian - which gives me the skills to help local residents find important and true information about the services and policies that affect their everyday lives.
"Therefore I am perfectly placed to listen to and represent the people of Marston."
Tell us a bit more about yourself
"I trained as a secondary school teacher at Birmingham University, then taught in Birmingham and Oxfordshire in state schools.
"I truly believe in the importance of education in shaping people's lives and aspirations - and I understand the pressures that teaching staff are under.
"My love of books, reading and community education took me into public libraries and I retrained to become a professional librarian while I brought up my two children in New Marston.
"I love sharing books, stories and now plants, seeds and gardening wisdom.
"I strongly believe that learning about nature, growing and cooking our food have the answers to re-connecting us to our landscape, communities and improving our health and wellbeing."
What issues are important to you in Oxford?
"First and foremost - redressing the inequalities that lie in Oxford.
"I find it appalling that there are so many people living on the streets or in cold, damp and inadequate housing.
"There is such wealth, knowledge and skills in the city that I believe we have the ability - and responsibility - to make sure everyone who lives here has access to good education, health services, public transport, housing, healthy food, parks and amenities.
"We also have many green spaces, walking and cycle routes around Oxford - however, we need to work harder to maintain these much more thoughtfully, with planned management of verges and 'green corridors' - and joined up and well signed walking and cycle paths.
"We also need to engage and teach children at an early age the joys of walking, biking and being in - and learning about - nature, as the perfect antidote to modern life.
"This would also have a huge impact on reducing traffic congestion and poor mental and physical health.
"I am proud to be standing for the Green Party as I truly believe we have the common-sense policies to greatly improve people's lives - in terms of education, health and wellbeing, equality, access to information, nature, housing and good food."
Charlotte Louise Vinnicombe, Labour
"As a Labour city councillor, my priorities will be:
"Tackling the cost of living crisis.
"Building a greener, cleaner Marston.
"Speaking up on local housing developments.
"Combatting antisocial behaviour.
"Opposing the proposed Marston Ferry Bus Gate.
Tell us about yourself
"I’ve lived in Marston for 17 years, and have lived and worked in Oxford for nearly 30 years.
"I love living in such a special part of Oxford, and I’m passionate about making our area an even better place to live.
"More than ever before, Marston needs a strong team of active city councillors championing our community.
"I’m standing to ensure our area has another strong voice alongside Mary Clarkson.
"Together we will put our area and its residents first, speaking up for residents and holding the council to account if things go wrong.
"I am already working hard for residents as a parish councillor and as the chair of a Residents’ Association.
"I have been speaking to Marston residents for years, finding out what matters to them.
"I want to champion residents’ views at the Town Hall, especially on local housing developments and transport issues, with current priorities being the significant level of concern about the Marston Ferry Bus Gate as well as the management of highway grass verges.
"I am an active environmental campaigner.
"As a member of the Environment Committee on Old Marston Parish Council I have organised a Climate Emergency Workshop, led the campaign to preserve historic Back Lane, highlighted concerns about access and flooding associated with the Marston Paddock development, and consistently lobbied for improvements to the Marston cycle path.
"As a city councillor, I will lobby for the filling in of grey and brownfield sites before greenfield sites are used, and continue to press for better bus services and safer walking and cycling routes."
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