Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire County Council | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Chair of the council | John Howson since May 2021 |
Leader of the Council | Liz Leffman, Liberal Democrat since May 2021 |
Chief executive | Yvonne Rees since 10 July 2018 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 63 councillors |
 | |
Political groups | Administration (40)
Opposition (23)
|
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
| First past the post | |
Last election | 6 May 2021 |
Next election | May 2025 |
| Motto | |
| Sapere aude (Dare to be wise)[1] | |
| Meeting place | |
.jpg) | |
| County Hall, New Road, Oxford | |
| Website | |
| www | |
Oxfordshire County Council is the county council (upper-tier local authority) for the non-metropolitan county of Oxfordshire in the South East of England. Established in 1889, it is an elected body responsible for the most strategic local government services in the county.
Oxfordshire County Council provides a wide range of services, including education (schools, libraries and youth services), social services, public health, highway maintenance, waste disposal, emergency planning, consumer protection and town and country planning for matters to do with minerals, waste, highways and education.[2] This makes it one of the largest employers in Oxfordshire, with a gross expenditure budget of £856.2 million in 2021–22.[3][4]
History
County councils were first introduced in England and Wales with full powers from 22 September 1889 as a result of the Local Government Act 1888, taking over administrative functions until then carried out by the unelected quarter sessions.[5] The areas they covered were termed administrative counties and were not in all cases identical to the traditional shire counties, but in Oxfordshire the whole 'ceremonial county' came under the authority of the new council. The new system of local democracy was a significant development and reflected the increasing range of functions carried out by local government in late Victorian Britain.
The first elections to the new county council were held in January 1889. At the first meeting, several aldermen were elected.
Schools (both primary and secondary) were added to the County Council's responsibilities in 1902, and until the 1990s it was also responsible for operating Colleges of Further Education.
Oxfordshire County Council has seen a changing pattern of lower-tier authorities existing alongside it within its area, responsible for more local services, such as housing and waste collection. Until 1974, the county had a large number of urban district and rural district councils. In 1974, local government was reorganized in England and Wales generally, and Oxfordshire was enlarged to take in areas previously in Berkshire. Within its new area dozens of former urban and rural districts were amalgamated into one city council, that of Oxford, and four district councils: Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, the Vale of White Horse, and West Oxfordshire.
Elections
Since 1889, members have been elected for a term of office, with elections held all together (initially every three years, later every four years) on the "first past the post" system. Until the 1970s, the elected members chose aldermen, whose term of office was for six years, and who once appointed were also voting members of the council. This form of membership was ended by the Local Government Act 1972, so that after 1974 only honorary (that is, non-voting) aldermen could be appointed.[6]
Current composition
As of August 2021, the council composition is as follows:
| Party | Councillors | |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 21* | |
| Liberal Democrats | 21 | |
| Labour | 16* | |
| Green Party | 3 | |
| Henley Residents Group | 1 | |
| Independent | 1 | |
* Although the initial result was the Conservatives on 22 seats, and Labour on 15, there was a significant error in the Banbury Ruscote division where the Conservative and Labour votes were accidentally reversed and the Conservative candidate declared elected. An electoral challenge was launched by Labour and the result corrected to a Labour win.[7][8]
Following the 2021 election the Conservative Party lost seats primarily at the expense of Liberal Democrat gains including the Conservative leader Ian Hudspeth, who had served as leader since May 2012 and councillor since 2005,[9] resulting in their worst performance in Oxfordshire since its inception in 1973. Likewise this was the highest number of seats the Liberal Democrats have held on this council.[10] Liberal Democrat and Green councillors currently form a joint group known as Liberal Democrat Green Alliance.[11]
History of political control
Past Chairs
- Catherine Fulljames (2005–2006)
- Lesley Legge (2006–2007)[12]
- Don Seale (2012–2013)[13][14]
- Timothy Hallchurch MBE (2013-2014)
- Anne Purse (2014–2015)[15]
- John Sanders (2015–2016)[15]
- Michael Waine (2016–2017)[16][17][18]
- Zoe Patrick (2017–2018)[19][20]
- Gill Sanders (2018–2019)[21][22]
- Les Sibley (2019–2020)[23][24][25][26]
Meat and dairy ban controversy
In 2021, the LibDem/Green/Labour administration moved a motion at Full Council to serve only plant-based (vegan) meals at all council-catered events and meetings plus vegan school meals in the primary schools on two days a week as part of its climate change action policy.[27] The move was unsuccessfully fought by the Conservative opposition. This policy was controversial and drew protests from livestock farmers and TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who owns a farm in the county.[28][29] As a result of the controversy, when the motion came to the council's Cabinet for ratification in March 2022, the proposals were scaled back to cover just seven council meetings and school meals only one day a week.[30] In November 2022, Conservatives sought to cancel the vegan meals at council-catered events, which cost £6,000 annually and are purchased from a Kidlington business which sources food from Woodstock. However, the motion failed.[31]
Notable members
- Sir Jervoise Athelstane Baines CSI FRGS, member 1917–22, later Indian Civil Service administrator
- Jonathan Baume, member 1974–77, trade unionist
- Catherine Bearder MEP, member
- Angela Billingham, member 1993–94, later Baroness Billingham[32]
- William Bradshaw, Baron Bradshaw, member 1993–2008[33]
- Peter Butler, member 1985–89, later Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes North East[34]
- Sherman Stonor, 6th Baron Camoys, member[35]
- Julia Drown, member 1989–96, later Member of Parliament for Swindon South[36]
- Michael Patrick Fogarty, member 1981–89, academic
- Olive Gibbs, chairman 1974–1975 and 1981–1982
- Simon Hoare MP, member
- John Howell, member 2004–09, later Member of Parliament[37]
- Caroline Lucas, member 1993–97, later Member of Parliament for Brighton Pavilion
- George Parker, 7th Earl of Macclesfield, chairman 1937–70[38]
- James Plaskitt, member 1985–97, later Member of Parliament
- Geoffrey Somerset, 6th Baron Raglan, member 1988–1993
- John Redwood, member 1973–77, later Member of Parliament for Wokingham
- Larry Sanders, member 2005–13, Green Party Spokesperson for Health and brother of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
Notable candidates
- Leo Docherty MP, Conservative candidate 2017
- Dillie Keane, Liberal Democrat candidate 2017, singer
See also
Notes
- ^ "Camelot International, Britain's heritage and history". Retrieved 9 November 2011.
- ^ "Council services". Oxfordshire County Council. Archived from the original on 27 November 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ Your Council Tax Explained page 6, published by Oxfordshire County County March 2021
- ^ https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/file/council-tax-and-finance-spending/CouncilTaxleaflet2021-22.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Edwards, John, ed. (1955). "County". Chambers' Encyclopedia. London: George Newnes. pp. 189–191.
- ^ Padfield, Colin Frank (1975). British constitution made simple. London: W. H. Allen & Co. p. 291.
- ^ "Labour candidate makes legal challenge after election result". Oxford Mail.
- ^ "Banbury councillor reappointed after Oxfordshire election result mix-up". BBC News Online. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- ^ "Councillor details - Councillor Ian Hudspeth". mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "Oxfordshire County Council Election Results 1973-2009" (PDF). Retrieved 9 May 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Councillor details - Councillor Liz Leffman". 21 April 2022.
- ^ "A mother of three who used to teach maths in south Oxfordshire becomes Chairman". Oxford Mail. 13 April 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- ^ "Sixteen years as County Councillor after career in military". BBC.
- ^ "Former Councillor Don Seale". 1 December 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ^ a b "Cowley's John Sanders elected as Oxfordshire County Council chairman". Oxford Mail. 19 May 2015.
- ^ "Oxfordshire County Council presents its annual rose bush rent to the Earth Trust". Oxford Mail.
- ^ Busy Evening. Bicester Advertiser. 1 December 1972.
- ^ The youngest chairman. Bicester Advertiser. 1972.
- ^ "Hundreds of youngsters enjoy evening of sports in the high street". Thame Gazette.
- ^ "Chairman or chairwoman?' row breaks out at council". Oxford Mail. 14 February 2018.
- ^ "New Chair Elected". 15 May 2018.
- ^ "New chair of county council relishing ceremonial role". Oxford Mail. 16 May 2018.
- ^ "Jericho house where Chinese author Chiang Yee given refuge gets blue plaque". Oxford Times.
- ^ "Oxfordshire County Council independents agree 'Alliance' with Conservatives". BBC News. 11 May 2013.
- ^ "Party 'dumps' town Stalwart". Oxford Mail. 13 April 2013.
- ^ "New Bicester Village station set to bring influx of shoppers and visitors to town". Bournemouth Echo. 27 October 2015.
- ^ "Agenda item - Motion by Councillor Ian Middleton". 14 December 2021.
- ^ "Jeremy Clarkson fails to stop Oxfordshire council vegan switch". BBC News. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ "APPROVED: County council will now serve vegan food at meetings and school lunches". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/documents/s59862/CA_MAR1522R06%20Plant%20Based%20Food%20Cabinet%20Paper%20final%20002.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Harland, Gee. "'Plans to scrap vegan lunches at Oxfordshire Council fail'". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ 'BILLINGHAM, Baroness', in Who's Who (London: A. & C. Black); online edition (subscription required) by Oxford University Press, December 2007, accessed 1 December 2011
- ^ 'BRADSHAW, Baron cr 1999 (Life Peer), of Wallingford in the county of Oxfordshire', in Who's Who (London: A. & C. Black); online edition (subscription required) by Oxford University Press, December 2007, accessed 30 November 2011
- ^ 'BUTLER, Peter', in Who's Who (London: A. & C. Black); online edition (subscription required) by Oxford University Press, December 2007, accessed 30 November 2011
- ^ 'CAMOYS, 6th Baron' in Who's Who (London: A. & C. Black); online edition (subscription required) by Oxford University Press, December 2007, accessed 1 December 2011
- ^ 'DROWN, Julia Kate' in Who's Who (London: A. & C. Black); online edition (subscription required) by Oxford University Press, December 2007, accessed 1 December 2011
- ^ 'HOWELL, John Michael' in Who's Who (London: A. & C. Black); online edition (subscription required) by Oxford University Press, accessed 1 December 2011
- ^ 'MACCLESFIELD, 7th Earl of', in Who Was Who (London: A. & C. Black); online edition (subscription required) by Oxford University Press, December 2007, accessed 30 November 2011
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
