Oxford News
Oxfordshire council boss quits role as Lib Dem majority lost
Liz Leffman took the leader job in May 2021 in a Liberal Democrats, Greens and Labour Party coalition called the ‘Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance’.
Following the 2025 election, the Lib Dems had a 36-seat majority on the council as Ms Leffman continued her leadership.
Announcing her departure, she said: “It has been a huge privilege to serve as leader of the county council since 2021. I have very much enjoyed the role and the connections that I have been able to make with people all over the county, in all walks of life.
“However, now is the time for me to stand down.
“In May 2027, we will be having elections for the new unitary council or councils, and as I will not be standing for election, it is right that I hand over the leadership in the run-up to these elections.
“I do intend to remain as a member of cabinet.
“I know that while welcoming new members the cabinet will continue to steer Oxfordshire through local government reorganisation, devolution and the financial challenges that are facing many councils.
“We will also want to re-dedicate ourselves to our priorities based around climate action and sustainable economic growth.”
The new cabinet for Oxfordshire County Council had been announced at the annual council meeting, hours before this resignation statement.
This followed Andrew Gant standing down from his transport chief role, yesterday, May 11, and the future economy and innovation boss, Ben Higgins, leaving his role as well as the Lib Dems.
A reshuffle looks likely to be on the way to make space for Ms Leffman to re-join the cabinet in a different role.
Reacting to the new, Independent Oxfordshire Alliance leader David Henwood said he thought the announcement should have been made ahead of the annual council meeting.
On Ms Leffman’s leadership, he reflected: “Although I have red lines in terms of transportation, Liz has been gracious in her approach to me as a new member.
“She has been the backbone of the Lib Dem group, but sadly her commitment to the workplace parking levy is evidence of predetermination.
“The Liberal Democrats are struggling to deliver policies to both the city and districts.”
The new leader for the council’s Liberal Democrat group is Tim Bearder, who previously stood to be police and crime commissioner in 2024.
There will be an extraordinary general meeting of the council to elect a new leader.
The date of this meeting has not yet been set.
In the interim, the current deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Neil Fawcett, will lead the authority.
The Thames Valley Police Abingdon unit arrested a man for “breaching court bail conditions” on Saturday, August 29.
A spokesperson said: “On Saturday, PC Hackett attended reports of a male breaching court bail conditions.
READ MORE: Public told ‘DO NOT APPROACH’ as wanted man sighted in Oxford centre
“With assistance from PC Ellingworth and PC Harvey, the male was arrested. Following a search, a knife was recovered from his possession.”
In a wide ranging update, the force also revealed it had supported in a “concern for welfare incident linked to the night-time economy.
In addition, it had carried out licensing checks across Abingdon with drug wipes used and sent off for testing
OXFORD Mail Camera Club members have been taking photos of their dogs
Source link
The collision happened on the southbound carriageway between Junction 6 for Lewknor and Junction 5 for Watlington in the late morning on Saturday, August 29.
The emergency services attended the scene and closed the road,
National Highways said lanes two and three of the three-lane motorway were shut as a result while crews dealt with the incident, leading to delays of around 40 minutes.
Congestion was worsened by separate lane closures between Junctions 4 and 5 in both directions following damage to the central reservation from an earlier incident.
Traffic built up on approaches to the crash, with nearby areas including Stokenchurch and Lewknor also affected.
Images from traffic cameras showed long queues of vehicles and emergency workers at the scene throughout the afternoon.
AA Travel also reported that one lane was closed on the northbound carriageway between Handy Cross and Stokenchurch due to emergency repairs.
National Highways later confirmed that all southbound lanes between Junctions 6 and 5 had reopened and that the lane closures linked to the earlier incident were also being removed.
Despite the reopening, delays of around 40 minutes remained on the approach as traffic slowly returned to normal.
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoTrain cancellation alert amid ‘fault’ near London Paddington
-
Oxford News2 weeks agoMuseum evacuated and Oxford University closed amid incident
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoBritish Business Bank backs PhysicsX with USD $25 million
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoNuggit launches GBP £5 million fund for UK YouTubers
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMuscle Food at risk of closing after entering administration
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoHistoric town faces series of high street shop closures
-
Student Life4 weeks agoMy year of rest and rustication
-
Student Life4 weeks agoAcademic tourism: Oxford University and its summer schools