Agenda item

Report of Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To note the results of the district elections held on 7 May 2026, to appoint the Leader of the Council and to consider the appointments and allocation of seats on Committees for municipal year 2026/2027 in accordance with the duty under Section 15 Local Government Housing Act 1989, to ensure that this reflects the political make-up of the Council following the elections. The political representation of members on committees needs to be considered on an annual basis.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1         To note the results of the District elections held on 7 May 2026.

1.2         To note the constitution of Political Groups and notification of Group Leaders which has been notified in accordance with Regulation 8 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

1.3         To appoint the Leader of the Council.

1.4         To note the appointment of the Deputy Leader of the Council, the membership of the Executive and Executive portfolios for the municipal year 2026/2027.

1.5         To agree the allocation of seats on committees that are subject to the political balance requirements as set out in Appendix 2 (to follow).

1.6         To agree that the allocation of seats on the Licensing Acts Committee reflects the General Licensing Committee.

1.7         To appoint members (and where required, substitute members) to serve on each of the committees in accordance with the nominations made by political groups (Appendix 3 - to follow).

1.8         To appoint a non-Executive representative to the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

1.9         To appoint a representative and named substitute to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

1.10      To appoint a representative and named substitute to the Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel.

1.11      To appoint an Executive member representative and an Executive member substitute to the Oxfordshire Leaders Joint Committee.

1.12      That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make changes required to the Constitution as a result of the changes referred to in this report.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report for Council to note the results of the district elections held on 7 May 2026, to appoint the Leader of the Council and to consider the appointments and allocation of seats on Committees for municipal year 2026/2027 in accordance with the duty under Section 15 Local Government Housing Act 1989, to ensure that this reflects the political make-up of the Council following the elections. The political representation of members on committees needed to be considered on an annual basis.

The Chair referred to recommendation 1.3, which related to the Leader of the Councillor. The Chair advised that Councillor Hingley had notified the Proper Officer that he wished to resign as Leader of the Council and invited Councillor Hingley to address Council.

Councillor Hingley addressed Council and tendered his resignation as Leader of the Council. Councillor Hingley said it had been an honour to be Leader of the Council for two years, serving as the first ever Liberal Democrat Leader of the Council. Having personally made the decision to step down, he was confident that the council would continue to go from strength to strength. Councillor Hingley thanked Liberal Democrat group members, members of the Green Party for joining with the Liberal Democrat in the administration, all members of the Executive and all Group Leaders during his tenure as Leader and paid tribute to all councillors for their constructive engagement, dedication and commitment to their wards. Councillor Hingley also thanked and paid tribute to all council officers and staff and gave particular thanks to the Leader’s PA, Donna Dow, for her brilliant support.  

On behalf of Council, the Chair thanked Councillor Hingley for his diligent service as Leader over the past two years.

Councillor McLean, Councillor Middleton, Councillor Reeves and Councillor Biegel paid tribute to Councillor Hingley and thanked him for his service as Leader.

Councillor Hingley having resigned, it was necessary for Council to appoint a leader. It was proposed by Councillor Hingley and seconded by Councillor Brant that Councillor McLean be appointed Leader of Cherwell District Council.

There being no further nominations, Councillor McLean was duly appointed Leader of the Council.

The Chair invited the Leader to report on her Deputy Leader, Executive members and Portfolio Holder allocations for 2026/2027. The Leader advised Councillor Chris Brant was her Deputy leader and Portfolio Holders as follows:

·         Councillor Lesley McLean: Leader – Strategic Leadership and Regeneration

·         Councillor Chris Brant: Deputy Leader – Planning and Enforcement

·         Councillor Nicola Borkmann: Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services

·         Councillor David Hingley: Portfolio Holder for Finance

·         Councillor Frank Ideh: Portfolio Holder for Law and Governance

·         Councillor Ian Middleton: Portfolio Holder for Housing and Greener Communities

·         Councillor Rob Pattenden: Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets

·         Councillor Alisa Russell: Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services

·         Councillor Lisa Smith: Portfolio Holder for Leisure

The Chair led Council through the remaining recommendations and invited the Leader to advise of nominations to outside bodies as set out in the resolutions.

Resolved

(1)          That the results of the District elections held on 7 May 2026 be noted:

(2)          That the constitution of Political Groups and notification of Group Leaders which has been notified in accordance with Regulation 8 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 be noted:

·         Liberal Democrat (20 Members, all Liberal Democrat party members)

o   Group Leader: Councillor Lesley McLean

·         Conservative (8 Members, all Conservative party members) 

o   Group Leader: Councillor Edward Fraser Reeves

·         Labour (8 Members, all Labour and Labour & Co-operative party members)  

o   Group Leader: Councillor Rebecca Biegel

·         Reform UK (6 Members, all Reform UK party members)

o   Group Leader: Councillor Paul Jeffreys

·         Green (4 Members, comprising all 4 Green party members)  

o   Group Leader: Councillor Ian Middleton

(Two Members, Independent, are not aligned to any political group)

(3)          That Councillor Lesley McLean be appointed Leader of the Council.

(4)          That the appointment of the Deputy Leader of the Council, the membership of the Executive and Executive portfolios for the municipal year 2026/2027 be noted:

(5)          That the allocation of seats on committees that are subject to the political balance requirements be agreed (Annex to the Minutes, as set out in the Minute Book).

(6)          That it be agreed that the allocation of seats on the Licensing Acts Committee reflects the General Licensing Committee.

(7)          That members (and where required, substitute members) be appointed to serve on each of the committees in accordance with the nominations made by political groups ((Annex to the Minutes, as set out in the Minute Book).

(8)          That Councillor David Rogers be appointed as Cherwell District Council’s representative on the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year 2026/2027.

(9)          That Councillor Lisa Smith be appointed as be appointed as Cherwell District Council’s representative and Councillor Lesley Mclean be appointed as Cherwell District Council’s named substitute on the Health and Wellbeing Board for the municipal year 2026/2027.

(10)       That Councillor Robert Parkinson be appointed as be appointed as Cherwell District Council’s representative and Councillor Lesley Mclean be appointed as Cherwell District Council’s named substitute on the Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel for the municipal year 2026/2027.

(11)       That Councillor Lesley McLean be appointed as be appointed as Cherwell District Council’s representative and Councillor Chris Brant be appointed as Cherwell District Council’s named substitute on the Oxfordshire Leaders Joint Committee for the municipal year 2026/2027.

(12)       That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make changes required to the Constitution as a result of the changes referred to in this report.