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.[3] This makes it one of the largest employers in Oxfordshire, with a gross expenditure budget of £856.2 million in 2021–22.[4][5]
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 under the Local Government Act 1972, 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 five non-metropolitan districts, being Oxford, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, and West Oxfordshire.
Political control
The first election to the reconstituted county council following the Local Government Act 1972 was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:[7]
* 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.[9][10]
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,[11] 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.[12] Liberal Democrat and Green councillors currently form a joint group known as Liberal Democrat Green Alliance.[13]
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.[14]
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.[22] 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.[23][24] 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.[25] 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.[26]
^Edwards, John, ed. (1955). "County". Chambers' Encyclopedia. London: George Newnes. pp. 189–191.
^"Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
^"Council minutes". Oxfordshire County Council. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
^"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.
^Padfield, Colin Frank (1975). British constitution made simple. London: W. H. Allen & Co. p. 291.
^'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
^"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.
^Harland, Gee. "'Plans to scrap vegan lunches at Oxfordshire Council fail'". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
External links
Official website
May 05, 2023
oxfordshire, county, council, county, council, upper, tier, local, authority, metropolitan, county, oxfordshire, south, east, england, established, 1889, elected, body, responsible, most, strategic, local, government, services, county, typetypecounty, councill. 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 most strategic local government services in the county Oxfordshire County CouncilTypeTypeCounty councilLeadershipChairSusanna Pressel Labour since 17 May 2022LeaderLiz Leffman Liberal Democrat since 18 May 2021Chief ExecutiveMartin Reeves since March 2023 1 StructureSeats63 councillorsPolitical groupsAdministration 40 Liberal Democrat 21 Labour 16 Green Party 3 Opposition 23 Conservative 21 Henley Residents Group 1 Independent 1 Length of term4 yearsElectionsVoting systemFirst past the postLast election6 May 2021Next electionMay 2025MottoSapere aude Dare to be wise 2 Meeting placeCounty Hall New Road Oxford OX1 1NDWebsitewww wbr oxfordshire wbr gov wbr ukOxfordshire 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 3 This makes it one of the largest employers in Oxfordshire with a gross expenditure budget of 856 2 million in 2021 22 4 5 Contents 1 History 2 Political control 2 1 Leadership 2 2 Current composition 3 Elections 4 Notable members 5 Meat and dairy ban controversy 6 See also 7 Notes 8 External linksHistory EditCounty councils were first introduced in England and Wales with full powers from 1 April 1889 as a result of the Local Government Act 1888 taking over administrative functions until then carried out by the unelected quarter sessions 6 The areas they covered were termed administrative counties and were not in all cases identical to the traditional shire counties 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 under the Local Government Act 1972 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 five non metropolitan districts being Oxford Cherwell South Oxfordshire Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire Political control EditThe first election to the reconstituted county council following the Local Government Act 1972 was held in 1973 initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1974 Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows 7 Party in control YearsConservative 1974 1985No overall control 1985 2005Conservative 2005 2013No overall control 2013 presentLeadership Edit The leaders of the council since 2001 have been 8 Councillor Party From ToKeith Mitchell Conservative 2001 15 May 2012Ian Hudspeth Conservative 15 May 2012 9 May 2021Liz Leffman Liberal Democrats 18 May 2021Current composition Edit See also Liberal Democrat Green Party alliance As of August 2021 the council composition is as follows Party CouncillorsConservative 21 Liberal Democrats 21Labour 16 Green Party 3Henley Residents Group 1Independent 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 9 10 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 11 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 12 Liberal Democrat and Green councillors currently form a joint group known as Liberal Democrat Green Alliance 13 Elections EditMain article Oxfordshire County Council 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 14 Notable members Edit Oxfordshire County Council Chairs 1889 to 1974 Oxfordshire County Council Chairs 1991 to 2005 Sir Jervoise Athelstane Baines 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 15 William Bradshaw Baron Bradshaw member 1993 2008 16 Peter Butler member 1985 89 later Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes North East 17 Sherman Stonor 6th Baron Camoys member 18 Julia Drown member 1989 96 later Member of Parliament for Swindon South 19 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 20 Caroline Lucas member 1993 97 later Member of Parliament for Brighton Pavilion George Parker 7th Earl of Macclesfield chairman 1937 70 21 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 SandersMeat and dairy ban controversy EditIn 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 22 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 23 24 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 25 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 26 See also EditList of electoral wards in OxfordshireNotes Edit Martin Reeves Centre for Cities Retrieved 25 April 2023 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 Compositions calculator The Elections Centre Retrieved 19 February 2023 Council minutes Oxfordshire County Council Retrieved 1 June 2022 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 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link Councillor details Councillor Liz Leffman 21 April 2022 Padfield Colin Frank 1975 British constitution made simple London W H Allen amp Co p 291 BILLINGHAM Baroness in Who s Who London A amp 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 amp C Black online edition subscription required by Oxford University Press December 2007 accessed 30 November 2011 BUTLER Peter in Who s Who London A amp 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 amp 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 amp 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 amp C Black online edition subscription required by Oxford University Press accessed 1 December 2011 MACCLESFIELD 7th Earl of in Who Was Who London A amp C Black online edition subscription required by Oxford University Press December 2007 accessed 30 November 2011 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 External links EditOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Oxfordshire County Council amp oldid 1151725843, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
