Commenting on the Oxford City Council election results, UNISON Southeast regional secretary Jo Galloway, said: “There’s a clear responsibility for councillors who value the running of good local services to find common ground.  

“The workforce and communities they support need responsible leaders who can work together in the interests of Oxford.” 

READ MORE: Remembering David Attenborough’s visits to Oxfordshire on 100th birthday

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea in2025 (Image: Ben Birchall)

 This comes after the Oxford City Council comes with no clear majority. With Labour winning 10 seats, The Green Party winning 9, Liberal Democrats winning 4, and Independents winning one.

 UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy.

They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors. 

On Thursday, the city took to the polls, with half of the council’s seats up for grabs, one in each of its 24 wards.

There were four gains for the Green Party while Labour lost one seat in what was described as an “absolutely incredible night” by the former.

Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA) did not gain any new seats, but does hold four on the council (no change).

Robin Tucker, co-chair, for the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel, said: “The gains made by the Green Party, and the IOA getting nothing, show that most people want a city that is cleaner, more walkable, safer for cycling, with less traffic.

“Not one with more cars, more pollution and more danger.”

READ MORE: ‘No point’ in plans to expand park and rides in county, locals say

The Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel (CoHSAT) is a group of voluntary and campaigning organisations working across Oxfordshire to create attractive, accessible and people-friendly streets.

Oxford City Council has been left with no clear majority.

With Labour winning 10 seats, the Green Party winning nine, Liberal Democrats winning four, and Independents winning one.

The 2018, 2022, 2021, and 2018 all left Labour with an overall control.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Green Party have been contacted for further comment on the next steps as negotiations are likely to determine the future political makeup of the council.

Hussein Almiyyahi, who was previously living at the Holiday Inn, in Grenoble Road, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday, May 5.

The 39-year-old, who appeared in the dock with his arm in a sling, was convicted of four counts of sexual assault after a series of incidents at Plush Nightclub, in Oxford, on Saturday, January 17.

Almiyyahi was convicted after a trial at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court earlier this year.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire – Dangerous driver hit motorbike during attempted overtake

Hussein Almiyyahi (Image: TVP)

When the offences were put to him, he denied them, stating it wasn’t him.

Tom Blackburn, prosecuting, told the court there were three victims in this case.

The court heard the first victim visited the club with friends at around 12.40am.

She was dancing, when she felt a hand reach between her legs, which made her feel uneasy.

She spoke to bouncers about what happened.

The second victim was a friend of the first victim, and felt him grab her bottom.

The third victim was at the club dancing at around 1.45am when she was sexually assaulted.

Mr Blackburn told the court that Almiyyahi’s hand went between her legs and she turned around and pushed him away. He then assaulted her in the same way a second time.

The court heard she was ‘brought to tears’ and bouncers called the police.

Mr Blackburn read out an impact statement on behalf of the third victim.

It said: “It all happened very quickly. It has affected my revision for my A-levels. I’m struggling to focus.

“I’m meant to be going to university in September, but I have started to think about other options.

“I don’t want to go out anymore. I have distanced myself from male friends. I should be able to go out with my friends and not be assaulted.”

A victim impact statement, provided by the victim’s mother, said: “This has had profound and lasting impacts. I was awoken by a call from her screaming and crying.

“It should have been a safe space.”

Mr Blackburn added: “He attacked three separate women in a short space of time. He continues to deny the offences, despite the women all identifying him.”

Gareth James, mitigating, told the court he came to the UK in April 2024 seeking asylum from Iraq.

He said: “He realises he has let himself down, but says he was wrongly identified.”

Judge Ian Pringle KC said: “Reports were received from Plush Nightclub that a man had been indecently touching women at the club.

“You were the person responsible for the sexual assaults. This is totally unacceptable behaviour and deserves punishment.”

Almiyyahi was jailed for 12 months and ordered to comply with notification requirements of being on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.