Oxford City Council

Local government for the city of Oxford in England

Oxford City Council

Half of council elected every other year
Type
Type|

Non-metropolitan district council

of Oxford

Houses| Unicameral

Term limits

| None
History
Founded| 1 April 1974
Leadership

Lord Mayor

Louise Upton,
Labour
since 15 May 2025[1]

Leader

Susan Brown,
Labour
since 29 January 2018[2]

Chief Executive

Caroline Green
since February 2021[3]

Structure
Seats| 48 councillors

Political groups

Administration (21)
Labour (21)
Other parties (27)
Liberal Democrats (9)
Green (8)
Independent Oxford Alliance (4)
Independent (6)
Elections

Voting system

| First past the post

Last election

| 2 May 2024

Next election

| 7 May 2026
Motto
Fortis est Veritas (Latin)
Meeting place
Town Hall, St Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 1BX
Website
www.oxford.gov.uk

Oxford City Council is the local authority for the city of Oxford in Oxfordshire, England. Oxford has had a council since medieval times, which has been reformed on numerous occasions. Since 1974, Oxford has been a non-metropolitan district, with county-level functions in the city provided by Oxfordshire County Council.

The city council has been under no overall control since 2023. It is based at Oxford Town Hall.

## History

[edit]

Further information: History of Oxford § Administrative history

Oxford was an ancient borough, being governed by a corporation from medieval times. The borough gained city status in 1542. It was reformed in 1836 under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 to become a municipal borough. When elected county councils were created on 1 April 1889, Oxford was initially within the area of Oxfordshire County Council. Seven months later, on 9 November 1889, the city become a county borough, making it independent from the county council.[4] In 1962 the council was given the right to appoint a Lord Mayor.[5]

Local government was reformed across England and Wales in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, which established a two-tier structure of local government comprising upper-tier counties and lower-tier districts. Oxford became a non-metropolitan district, and county-level functions passed up to Oxfordshire County Council.[6]

In early 2003, Oxford City Council submitted a bid to become a unitary authority.[7] This was received by the Department for Communities and Local Government,[8] but subsequently rejected.[9][10][11]

In 2016, Oxfordshire County Council put forward a 'One Oxfordshire' proposal which would see Oxford City Council and the four other district councils in Oxfordshire abolished and replaced with a single unitary county council for Oxfordshire.[12] In 2017, Oxford City Council voiced their opposition to the proposal,[13] and it was subsequently dropped.

## Governance

[edit]

Oxford City Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Oxfordshire County Council. Some outer parts of the city are also included in civil parishes, which form an additional tier of local government for their areas.[14]

### Political control

[edit]

The first election to the reconstituted city council following the Local Government Act 1972 was held in 1973. It operated as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since then has been as follows:[15][16]

Party in control | Years

|

| Labour | 1974–1976
| Conservative | 1976–1980
| Labour | 1980–2000
| No overall control | 2000–2002
| Labour | 2002–2004
| No overall control | 2004–2010
| Labour | 2010–2023
| No overall control | 2023–present

In October 2023, the Labour Party lost control of the council after 9 Labour councillors resigned the party in protest at Keir Starmer's refusal to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.[17][18] A tenth councillor resigned the part on 14 November, ahead of a vote in Westminster on an SNP amendment to the debate on the Speech from the throne.[19]

### Leadership

[edit]

See also: List of mayors of Oxford

Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council; the role of Lord Mayor is largely ceremonial and usually changes hands each year. The leaders since 1998 have been:

Councillor | Party | From | To

|
|
|

Stan Taylor[20] |  | Labour |  | Sep 1998
John Tanner[21][22][23] |  | Labour | Oct 1998 | May 2000
Corinna Redman[23] |  | Liberal Democrats | May 2000 | May 2002
Alex Hollingsworth[24][25] |  | Labour | 13 May 2002 | May 2006
John Goddard[26][27] |  | Liberal Democrats | 18 May 2006 | May 2008
Bob Price[28][29] |  | Labour | 15 May 2008 | 29 Jan 2018
Susan Brown[30] |  | Labour | 29 Jan 2018 |

### Composition

[edit]

Following the 2024 election, and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to May 2025, the composition of the council was:[31]

Party | Councillors

|

| Labour | 21
| Liberal Democrats | 9
| Green | 8
| Independent Oxford Alliance | 4
| Independent | 6
Total | 48

Of the independent councillors, two sit together as the 'Oxford Community Independents' group, two form the 'Oxford Independent Group' and two form the 'Real Independent Group'.[32] The next election is due in 2026.[31]

## Premises

[edit]

The city council meets at the Town Hall on the street called St Aldate's in the city centre. The current building was completed in 1897, on a site which had been occupied by Oxford's guildhall since the thirteenth century.[33] Between 1967 and 2022 the council had its main offices at St Aldate's Chambers at 113 St Aldate's, a 1930s building opposite the town hall, but continued to use the town hall for meetings.[34] In 2022 the council moved its offices back into the town hall.[35]

## Elections

[edit]

See also: Oxford City Council elections

Since the last boundary changes came into effect for the 2021 election, the council has comprised 48 councillors representing 24 wards, with each ward electing two councillors. Elections are held in alternate years, with half the council (one councillor for each ward) elected each time for a four-year term of office.[36]

## Councillors

[edit]

Oxford City Council is composed of the following councillors as of May 2025:[update]

Ward  | Name  | Party  | Next Election  | First Elected

|
|
|
|

Barton and Sandhills  | Asima Qayyum  |  | Labour | 2028  | 2024
Barton and Sandhills  | Mike Rowley  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2010 (by-election)
Blackbird Leys  | Lubna Arshad  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2018 (in Cowley Marsh)
Blackbird Leys  | Linda Smith  |  | Labour | 2028  | 2014 (by-election)
Carfax and Jericho  | Lizzie Diggins  |  | Labour | 2028  | 2021
Carfax and Jericho  | Alex Hollingsworth  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2014 (by-election)
Churchill  | Susan Brown  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2014
Churchill  | Mark Lygo |  | Labour | 2028  | 2008
Cowley  | Ian Yeatman  |  | IOA  | 2028  | 2024
Cowley  | Mohammed Latif  |  | Independent[37] | 2026  | 2021 (as Labour)
Cuttleslowe and Sunnymead  | Andrew Gant |  | Liberal Democrats | 2028  | 2014 (in Summertown)
Cuttleslowe and Sunnymead  | Laurence Fouweather  |  | Liberal Democrats | 2026  | 2021
Donnington  | Rosie Rawle  |  | Green | 2026  | 2022
Donnington  | Max Morris  |  | Green | 2028  | 2024
Headington  | Mohammed Altaf-Khan  |  | Liberal Democrats | 2028  | 2006 (in Headington Hill and Northway)
Headington  | Christopher Smowton  |  | Liberal Democrats | 2026  | 2021
Headington Hill and Northway  | James Taylor  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2025 (by-election)
Headington Hill and Northway  | Nigel Chapman  |  | Labour | 2028  | 2016
Hinksey Park  | Naomi Waite  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2021
Hinksey Park  | Anna Railton  |  | Labour | 2028  | 2022 (by-election)
Holywell  | Dianne Regisford  |  | Green | 2028  | 2024
Holywell  | Edward Mundy  |  | Independent[17] | 2026  | 2021 (as Labour)
Littlemore  | Anne Stares  |  | IOA  | 2028  | 2024
Littlemore  | Tiago Jorge de Assis Caldeira Cruz Corais  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2018
Lye Valley  | Judith Harley  |  | IOA  | 2028  | 2024
Lye Valley  | Ajaz Rehman  |  | Independent[19] | 2026  | 2021 (as Labour)
Marston  | Mary Clarkson |  | Labour | 2028  | 1998
Marston  | Kate Robinson  |  | Green | 2026  | 2024 (by-election)
Northfield Brook  | Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini  |  | Independent[17] | 2026  | 2018 (as Labour)
Northfield Brook  | Simon Ottino  |  | Labour | 2028  | 2024
Osney and St Thomas  | Susanna Pressel  |  | Labour | 2028  | 1996
Osney and St Thomas  | Lois Muddiman  |  | Green | 2026  | 2022
Quarry and Risinghurst  | Roz Smith  |  | Liberal Democrats | 2028  | 2018
Quarry and Risinghurst  | Chewe Munkonge  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2014 (by-election)
Rose Hill and Iffley  | David Henwood  |  | IOA  | 2028  | 2024
Rose Hill and Iffley  | Edward Turner  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2002
St Clement's  | Alex Powell  |  | Green | 2028  | 2024
St Clement's  | Jemima Hunt  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2021
St Mary's  | Emily Kerr  |  | Green | 2026  | 2022
St Mary's  | Chris Jarvis  |  | Green | 2028  | 2021
Summertown  | Theodore Jupp  |  | Liberal Democrats | 2028  | 2024
Summertown  | Katherine Miles  |  | Liberal Democrats | 2026  | 2021
Temple Cowley  | Mohammed Azad  |  | Independent | 2028  | 2024
Temple Cowley  | Sajjad Malik  |  | Independent[38] | 2026  | 2004 (as a Liberal Democrat; later Labour)
Walton Manor  | Louise Upton  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2013 (by-election)
Walton Manor  | James Fry  |  | Labour | 2028  | 2012
Wolvercote  | Steve Goddard  |  | Liberal Democrats | 2028  | 1996
Wolvercote  | Jo Sandelson  |  | Liberal Democrats | 2026  | 2022

## Climate change

[edit]

See also: Oxford zero emission zone

Oxford City Council became the first UK authority to divest from fossil fuel companies in September 2014.[39]

In 2011, the council had reduced their carbon footprint by 25% against a baseline of 2005/6, and continues to reduce carbon emissions from its own estate by 5% year on year.

In 2014, Oxford City Council was named 'Most Sustainable Local Authority' in the Public Sector Sustainability Awards. That same year, both the city and the county council implemented its own low emission zone (LEZ) for buses, making it UK's second LEZ after London because buses accounted for up to 80% of emissions in the city.[40]

The council leads the Low Carbon Oxford network, a collaboration of over 40 organisations working together to reduce emissions in the city by 40% by 2020.

In 2021, both councils agreed to implement a zero emission zone (ZEZ) which came into force in February 2022, the first of its kind in Britain.[41]

They also lead onto delivering the annual Low Carbon Oxford Week festival, which uses culture, creativity and, community to inspire local people to take action on climate change. In 2015, the festival saw over 60 local organisations partner to deliver over 100 events across the city and attract over 40,000 visitors.

In 2023, Oxford City Council voted to serve plant-based, vegan food at council events. Butchers and animal farmers protested the vote, which came after a similar policy was adopted by the Oxfordshire County Council.[42]

### Energy Superhub Oxford

[edit]

Energy Superhub Oxford is a power optimisation project at Redbridge park and ride. It includes a lithium-ion battery of 48MW/50MWh, a vanadium flow battery of 2MW/5MWh, 20 fast electric vehicle chargers for public use and ground-source heat pumps for residential properties.[43][44]

## See also

[edit]

* Oxford City Council elections
* Oxford Town Hall
* List of mayors of Oxford

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Manuschka, Jacob (19 May 2025). "Councillor Louise Upton named as new Lord Mayor of Oxford". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
2. ^ "Oxford City Council elects Councillor Susan Brown as new Leader". Oxford City Council. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
3. ^ "The Chief Executive". Oxford City Council. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
4. ^ Annual Report of the Local Government Board. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1890. p. 324. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
5. ^ Jenkins, Stephanie (9 August 2009). "Mayors of Oxford in early medieval times 1205–1348". Mayors of Oxford. Stephanie Jenkins. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
6. ^ "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1972 c. 70
7. ^ Oxford City Council: the case for unitary status, draft version, 18 January 2007.
8. ^ Communities and Local Government press release: Kelly welcomes proposals to improve local services: 26 local authorities bid to move to single tier local Government, 26 January 2007.
9. ^ Communities and Local Government: rejection letter to Oxford City Council’s unitary authority bid.
10. ^ Communities and Local Government press release: Woolas announces sixteen successful bids for unitary status to improve local services, 27 March 2007.
11. ^ Oxford City Council press release: Government backs off Oxfordshire reorganisation, 27 March 2007.
12. ^ One Oxfordshire, February 2017.
13. ^ Oxford City Council website: Hands off Oxford City, February 2017.
14. ^ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
15. ^ "Compositions Calculator". The Elections Centre. University of Exeter. Retrieved 26 November 2024. (Put "Oxford" in search box to see specific results.)
16. ^ "Oxford". BBC News. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
17. ^ a b c Oxford City Council councillors (20 October 2023). "Labour Loses Oxford City Council Over Gaza". Tribune. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
18. ^ "Labour loses majority on Oxford City Council after ninth resignation". BBC News Online. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
19. ^ a b Cllr Ajaz Rehman [@ajazrehman3] (14 November 2023). "Resignation statement from the Labour Party Cllr Ajaz Rehman Cabinet Member Inclusive Communities. #CeasefireNOW #Gaza #BringThemHome" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 November 2023 - via Twitter.
20. ^ "City council leader quits due to ill health". Oxford Mail. 21 September 1998. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
21. ^ "Tanner picked as new city council leader". Oxford Mail. 16 October 1998. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
22. ^ Hughes, Tim (7 June 2021). "Ex-Oxford councillor John Tanner looks back on 30 years of service". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
23. ^ a b "Oxford back in Labour hands". Oxford Mail. 3 May 2002. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
24. ^ "Council minutes, 13 May 2002" (PDF). Oxford City Council. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
25. ^ "Parties begin negotiations". Oxford Mail. 6 May 2006. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
26. ^ "Council minutes, 18 May 2006" (PDF). Oxford City Council. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
27. ^ "Goddard quits as Lib Dem leader". Oxford Mail. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
28. ^ Sheldrick, Giles (15 May 2008). "Labour to run city executive". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
29. ^ "Oxford City Council elects Councillor Susan Brown as new Leader". Oxford City Council. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
30. ^ "Council minutes, 29 January 2018". Oxford City Council. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
31. ^ a b "Oxford". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
32. ^ "Your Councillors". Oxford City Council. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
33. ^ Historic England. "Town Hall, Municipal Buildings and Library (Grade II*) (1047153)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
34. ^ "No. 44458". The London Gazette. 21 November 1967. p. 12728.
35. ^ Norris, Miranda (1 September 2023). "New tenants set to move into Oxford City Council's former HQ". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
36. ^ "The Oxford (Electoral Changes) Order 2019", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2019/1162, retrieved 15 July 2024
37. ^ "Labour Oxford councillors quit over Starmer comments on Israel Gaza war". BBC News Online. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
38. ^ "Deputy Lord Mayor - what happens now after domestic violence?". Oxford Mail. 7 March 2019.
39. ^ Climate change: how to make the big polluters really pay Naomi Klein The Guardian 17 October 2014
40. ^ "Oxford city centre to become low emission zone on 1 January". BBC News. 31 December 2013.
41. ^ Roberts, Gareth (11 February 2022). "First zero emission zone goes live in Oxford". www.fleetnews.co.uk.
42. ^ Stavrou, Athena; Halford, Ed; Sheldon, Liberty (27 March 2023). "Furious backlash after meat banned from Oxford council events". oxfordshirelive. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
43. ^ Council, Oxford City. "£41m project to support Oxford on journey to zero carbon". www.oxford.gov.uk.
44. ^ "Project with world's largest lithium-vanadium hybrid BESS officially launched in Oxford, UK". Energy Storage News. 5 July 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Oxford City Council website

Authority control databases |

* ISNI

|