New Oxfordshire County Council

Appointments of particular interest to OCS

9 July 2021

Following the May 2021 elections, the Liberal Democratic Party, Labour Party and Green Party have formed a coalition – the Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance – to lead the County Council.  The shared goals of the parties have been set out as follows:

  • Tackle the Climate Emergency through rapid decarbonization, proper accounting of carbon emissions and ambitious targets, as well as supporting climate resilience.
  • Tackling inequalities and providing opportunities for everyone in Oxfordshire to achieve their full potential.
  • Prioritization of wellbeing – improved outcomes for residents and improved air quality and access to libraries, cultural facilities and the arts.
  • Review and reform of the social care system to prioritize end-users and carers with a focus on co-operative and community provision of social care, helping those who want to stay in their own homes.
  • Increased investment in an inclusive, integrated, county-wide active and sustainable travel network fit for the 21st Century to improve choice and reduce car journeys across the county.
  • Improved access to nature and green spaces for all communities, and landscape-scale nature recovery across the county.
  • Supporting all our children and young people to achieve improved health, wellbeing and educational outcomes; improved provision for children with additional needs; all decision-making to have regard to impact on young people and future generations.
  • The creation of a resilient local democracy where decisions are devolved to the lowest possible level and residents are meaningfully involved in the decisions that affect their lives.
  • Support for local employment and businesses, working with partners to make Oxfordshire a centre for green and sustainable technologies through a local ‘Green New Deal’.
  • Responsible management of the Council’s finances, reducing wasteful outsourcing

Under the leadership of Councillor Liz Leffman, (Liberal Democrats Party) Leader of the Council and Councillor Liz Brighouse, (Labour and Co-operative Party) Deputy Leader of the Council, a new County Council Cabinet has been selected. This includes several appointments of special interest to the Oxford Civic Society (and its Oxfordshire Futures Group).

  • Councillor Duncan Enright, (Labour and Co-operative Party) Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy.  Duncan has responsibility for: government bids for funding initiatives; Infrastructure Strategy (OXIS); regional and strategic infrastructure – capital delivery of major projects; rail – Cowley / Grove / Worcester Line / Witney; Connecting Oxford; Zero-emission zones/air quality management areas / live digital air quality display; travel hubs; work place levy/congestion charge; waterways; tourism / economic development – all matters of interest to the Society.  The OCS Chairman and members of the Transport Group have already had a very encouraging meeting with Duncan (June 2021).
  • Councillor Pete Sudbury, (Green Party) Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment
  • Councillor Tim Bearder, (Liberal Democrats Party) Cabinet Member for Highways Management.  Tim has responsibility for highways delivery operations: structures and maintenance; local cycling and walking infrastructure plans / low traffic neighbourhoods; travel hubs; public transport – bus strategy / universal payment / maps; cycle parking; school streets; car parking strategy – again, all matters of great interest to the Society.

We also are pleased to see that the Lord Mayor of Oxford (Mark Lygo) is now also the County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equalities and that Councillor Jenny Hannaby, County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care includes in her portfolio responsibilities for reducing homelessness.