A NEW bid to ‘re-energise’ the links between parish councils and bigger local authorities has been launched.

Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, says a new top post will include responsibilities to the promote closer working between them.

He recently independent Mark Gray to his cabinet, with Mr Gray given the ‘local communities’ portfolio.

Mr Hudspeth said: “One of the key tasks for the portfolio is to re-energise closer working between the county and parish councils.”