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

Lubna Arshad,
Labour
since 17 May 2023[1]

Leader

Susan Brown,
Labour
since 29 January 2018[2]

Chief Executive

Caroline Green
since February 2021[3]

Structure
Seats| 48

Labour

20 / 48

Independent

7 / 48

Independent Oxford Alliance

4 / 48

Liberal Democrats

9 / 48

Green

8 / 48

Elections

Voting system

| First past the post

Last election

| 2 May 2024

Next election

| 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 lower-tier local government authority for the city of Oxford in England, providing such services as leisure centres and parking. Social services, Education and Highways services (among others) are provided by Oxfordshire County Council.

## History[edit]

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.

## 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:[14][15]

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 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[16][17] 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.[18]

### 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. These leaders since 2000 have been:[19]

Councillor | Party | From | To

|
|
|

Corinna Redman |  | Liberal Democrats | 2000 | May 2002
Alex Hollingsworth |  | Labour | 30 May 2002 | May 2006
John Goddard[20] |  | Liberal Democrats | 18 May 2006 | May 2008
Bob Price[21] |  | Labour | 15 May 2008 | 29 Jan 2018
Susan Brown |  | Labour | 29 Jan 2018 |

## 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.[22] 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.[23] In 2022 the council moved its offices back into the town hall.[24]

## Elections[edit]

See also: Oxford City Council elections

Since 2002, elections have been held for Oxford City Council every other year, for half the council at a time, with each councillor serving a term of four years. Each electoral ward within Oxford is represented by two councillors, electing one councillor at each election. Prior to 2002, the city council was elected by thirds.

Year  |  | Labour |  | Liberal Democrat |  | Green |  | IWCA |  | Independent |  | Conservative |  | IOA | Source  | Controlling party

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2024 | 20 | 9  | 8  |  | 7  | 0  | 4  | [25] |  | No overall control
2022 | 32 | 9  | 6  |  | 1  | 0  | [a] | [26] |  | Labour
2021 | 34 | 9  | 3  | [b] | 2  | 0  |  | [28] |  | Labour
2018 | 36 | 9  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 0  |  | [29] |  | Labour
2016 | 35 | 8  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 0  |  | [30] |  | Labour
2014 | 33 | 8  | 6  | 0  | 1  | 0  |  | [31] |  | Labour
2012 | 29 | 13  | 5  | 0  | 1  | 0  |  | [32] |  | Labour
2010 | 26 | 16  | 5  | 1  | 0  | 0  |  | [33][34] |  | Labour
2008 | 23 | 16  | 7  | 2  | 0  | 0  |  | [35] |  | No overall control
2006 | 17  | 19 | 8  | 4  | 0  | 0  |  | [36] |  | No overall control
2004 | 20 | 18  | 7  | 3  | 0  | 0  |  | [37] |  | No overall control
2002 | 29 | 15  | 3  | 1  | 0  | 0  |  | [38] |  | Labour
2000 | 21  | 21  | 7  | 1  | 0  | 1  |  | [38] |  | No overall control

## Councillors[edit]

Oxford City Council is composed of the following councillors as of May 2024:[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  |  | Oxford Alliance  | 2028  | 2024
Cowley  | Mohammed Latif  |  | Independent[39] | 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  | Barbara Coyne  |  | Independent[17] | 2026  | 2021 (as Labour)
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[16] | 2026  | 2021 (as Labour)
Littlemore  | Anne Stares  |  | Oxford Alliance  | 2028  | 2024
Littlemore  | Tiago Jorge de Assis Caldeira Cruz Corais  |  | Labour | 2026  | 2018
Lye Valley  | Judith Harley  |  | Oxford Alliance  | 2028  | 2024
Lye Valley  | Ajaz Rehman  |  | Independent[18] | 2026  | 2021 (as Labour)
Marston  | Mary Clarkson |  | Labour | 2028  | 1998
Marston  | Alistair Morris  |  | Green | 2026  | 2022
Northfield Brook  | Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini  |  | Independent[16] | 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  |  | Oxford Alliance  | 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[40] | 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]

Oxford City Council became the first UK authority to divest from fossil fuel companies in September 2014.[41]

In 2011, Oxford City 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.

Oxford City 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.

Oxford City Council also leads on 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

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ The Independent Oxford Alliance did not exist prior to 2024.
2. ^ The Independent Working Class Association was deregistered in 2020. [27]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Tait, Albert (18 May 2023). "New Oxford Lord Mayor makes history as first woman of colour". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
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. ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
15. ^ "Oxford". BBC News. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
16. ^ a b c Oxford City Council councillors (20 October 2023). "Labour Loses Oxford City Council Over Gaza". Tribune. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
17. ^ a b "Labour loses majority on Oxford City Council after ninth resignation". BBC News Online. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
18. ^ 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.
19. ^ "Council minutes". Oxford City Council. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
20. ^ "Council minutes, 18 May 2006" (PDF). Oxford City Council. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
21. ^ "Oxford City Council elects Councillor Susan Brown as new Leader". Oxford City Council. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
22. ^ Historic England. "Town Hall, Municipal Buildings and Library (Grade II*) (1047153)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
23. ^ "No. 44458". The London Gazette. 21 November 1967. p. 12728.
24. ^ Norris, Miranda (1 September 2023). "New tenants set to move into Oxford City Council's former HQ". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
25. ^ Burnett, Edward. "Oxford City Council Election results - 2 May 2024". www.oxfordmail.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
26. ^ Council, Oxford City. "Oxford City Council Election results - 5 May 2022". www.oxford.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
27. ^ "Independent Working Class Association [De-registered 06/11/20]". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
28. ^ "Election results - 6 May 2021". Retrieved 9 May 2021.
29. ^ "Election results - 3 May 2018". Oxford City Council. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
30. ^ [1], Oxford City Council, 2016
31. ^ Election results, Oxford City Council, 2014
32. ^ Election results, Oxford City Council, 2012.
33. ^ Election results, Oxford City Council, 2010.
34. ^ "Labour win Lib Dem seat at by-election". The Oxford Times. 22 October 2010.
35. ^ Election 2008: Oxford council, BBC, 2008
36. ^ Article, BBC, 2006.
37. ^ Article, BBC, 2004.
38. ^ a b Article, BBC, 2002.
39. ^ "Labour Oxford councillors quit over Starmer comments on Israel Gaza war". BBC News Online. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
40. ^ "Deputy Lord Mayor - what happens now after domestic violence?". Oxford Mail.
41. ^ Climate change: how to make the big polluters really pay Naomi Klein The Guardian 17 October 2014
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

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