Oxford News
Oxfordshire leader ‘tone of toddler’ in videos questioned
A video of county council leader Tim Bearder (Lib Dem) has been described as promoting political views and having the tone of a “toddler” after it was posted to the authority’s website and social media accounts, which were created to inform residents about council services.
An opposition leader has spoken out, questioning why videos in which Mr Bearder “appears to be the actor, director, editor and videographer” are “straying into party-political territory” on “taxpayer-funded” communication platforms.
This follows questions raised in social media comments about who Mr Bearder is and why the video had been shared on the official Oxfordshire County Council accounts.
In the video, the county leader describes government plans to abolish the county, city and district councils and create three new unitary powers as “deeply flawed”, questioning financial viability, as he calls on Andy Burnham to reverse the decision.
In a later video, also shared on council pages, he described the decision as making “no sense at all”.
County Conservative leader and West Oxfordshire councillor Liam Walker said: “I was surprised to see the county council publish that video following the Government’s decision on local government reorganisation.
“The tone was more like a toddler who hadn’t got their own way than the balanced and professional communication residents should expect from their council.
“More broadly, there is a legitimate question about whether taxpayer-funded council social media accounts are being used appropriately or are straying into party-political territory.
“It’s all becoming a bit sycophantic when the leader of the council appears to be the actor, director, editor and videographer of the council’s social media output.
“Council communications should inform residents, not provide a taxpayer-funded platform for the political views of whoever happens to be running the administration.”
The three-council plan, which was chosen for the upcoming reorganisation by the Starmer government, had been put forward by Labour-run Oxford City Council, and proposals for a single Oxfordshire unitary or two, which had been shared by Lib Dem-run county and district councils, will not move forward.
It is not abnormal for local authorities and their leaders to criticise government decisions, but this usually follows the passing of a motion at a meeting, which would make a criticism the official stance of the council.
In this case, that had not occurred following the reorganisation decision.
The video left some residents questioning what was going on in the comments.
Paul Fowler said: “The official Oxfordshire County Council social media channels should not be used for political purposes.
“There has been a couple of posts already that are not appropriate. This channel should be neutral and not party political.
“They should be used for factual announcements and not political opinion.
“This is not the place for this. Mr Bearder and his party etc have their own social media accounts and can express their party political views there.
“That would be more appropriate and impartial.”
Ossie Stinga added: “Sounds like he’s complaining about it not being a relabelled Oxfordshire County Council.”
While Dorothy Murphy questioned: “Who is this speaking? And from which party?”
Oxfordshire County Council and Tim Bearder were contacted for comment and did not respond.
The coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
Following the incident in North Way, Barton on Monday, August 17, Thames Valley Police said it wanted the public’s help to locate Oxford local Arthur McDonagh.
The force warned the public not to approach the 33-year-old, but instead to call the police if they see him.
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On Tuesday, August 18, a spokesperson said: “Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help to locate Arthur McDonagh, aged 33, from Oxford.
“He is wanted in connection with a serious assault that happened in North Way, Barton, yesterday (August 17).
“Arthur is known to frequent the Garsington area.
“If you have any information about his whereabouts call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 43260426989.
“If you see him, do not approach him, but instead call 999.”
Well over a week on, the police has revealed that Mr McDonagh remains at large.
The spokesperson said today (Saturday, August 29): “Arthur McDonagh remains outstanding; our enquiries are ongoing to locate him.”
During the incident emergency services were called to Barton Village Road at about 11.10am.
The force closed North Way to the junction with Edgecombe Road while officers carried out their enquiries.
A damaged white pickup truck was left in the middle of the street, surrounded by broken glass and with what appeared to be blood splattered on the rear right-hand side.
The white pickup truck could be seen behind the police cordon.
There were multiple reports of different weapons being used during the assault, but Thames Valley Police confirmed that they do not believe an axe, bat or machete were used in the attack.
But police declined to say what weapon they do believe was used in the assault.
The force confirmed a man was taken to hospital for treatment, and that he was in a stable condition, and they thanked the local community for their support.
Following the incident, Mike Rowley, Labour councillor for Barton and Sandhills, said his thoughts were with the victim and praised local officers for their response.
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He said: “My thoughts are with the victim as the incident sounds horrible.
“I am in touch with the police, but I’m not expecting any updates yet as their priority is finding the offender and making sure there aren’t any further offences.”
Appeals for public help in finding individuals by the police can relate to suspects, witnesses or others who may have vital information in relation to the incident.
They do not mean the person is to blame nor do they imply guilt.
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