OPENING up licensing applications to councillors whose wards are affected is a common-sense step by Oxford City Council.

Since the city took over responsibility for deciding licensing applications in 2004, it has not allowed councillors on committees to be part of that process if they represent the area concerned.

That is not outlandish, particularly if that councillor also happens to live in the ward.

However, we do have to invest an element of trust in our elected officials. The whole reason we have them is because they should have a level of insight into the issues on the ground.

They, better than most, should understand the vibrancy of an area but also the problems. To then deliberately exclude that knowledge is ultimately short-sighted.

Councillors will have to tread a fine line. Deciding the alcohol licence for a problematic pub in their own street would be unwise.

But in the main our councillors are there to serve their community.

Allow them to do it properly.