The West Oxfordshire District Council held its annual meeting on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, where Councillor Carl Reilert was elected as the new Chair and Councillor Joy Aitman as Vice-Chair. The meeting also saw the Leader of the Council, Councillor Andy Graham, present a report outlining the administration's priorities and key appointments to the Executive.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

The meeting began with the election of the Chair for the new Municipal Year 2026-2027. Councillor Carl Reilert was unanimously elected to the role. Following this, Councillor Joy Aitman was appointed as the Vice-Chair, receiving 42 votes in favour with two abstentions.

Receipt of Announcements and Vote of Thanks

The outgoing Chief Executive, Giles Hughes, was thanked for his service by the Leader and other group leaders, who acknowledged his strategic leadership, dedication, and good humour during his tenure. Councillor Andrew Coles, the outgoing Chair, then delivered a vote of thanks to the Chair and Vice-Chair for the 2025/26 municipal year, reflecting on his time in office and thanking various members of staff and councillors for their support. He highlighted his fundraising efforts, which had raised almost £8,000 for charity.

Report of the Leader

Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, presented a verbal report on the administration's work and priorities. He reiterated the council's ambition to shape West Oxfordshire into a district where residents enjoy a high quality of life, businesses thrive, and the environment is protected. He highlighted progress against the council plan's five priorities: putting residents first, enabling a good quality of life, creating a better environment, responding to the climate and ecological emergency, and working together for West Oxfordshire.

Councillor Graham detailed progress on affordable housing delivery, leisure facility usage, and environmental initiatives such as tackling fly-tipping and opening a Habitat Bank. He also spoke about efforts to reduce the council's own emissions and the importance of working in partnership with other organisations.

Key appointments were announced: Councillor Duncan Enright would continue as Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Executive Development. Councillor Smith would remain Executive Member for Finance, Councillor Leffman would take on Planning and Infrastructure, Councillor Tim Sumner would continue in Arts, Culture and Sport, Councillor Sandra Coleman in Stronger Healthy Communities, Councillor Jeff Saul in Housing and Community Safety, Councillor Alistair Ray in Environment, and Councillor Andrew Prosser in Climate Action and Nature Recovery. Councillor Graham himself would continue as Leader of the Council. He also paid tribute to outgoing Executive Members, including former Councillor Lydia Artichesca, Hugo Ashton, and Councillor Rachel Crouch. Councillor Graham also confirmed his appointment as the Executive Member to the Oxfordshire Leaders Joint Committee, with Councillor M Wright as his substitute.

Establishment and Appointment of Committees

Council resolved to establish its committees for the 2026/27 Civic Year, applying political balance provisions as set out in Annex A of the reports pack. The Constitution Working Group and the Carterton Area Strategy Working Group were re-established. Councillors were appointed to serve on various committees, sub-committees, and working groups, with arrangements for substitute members also noted.

Adoption of the Council's Constitution and Financial Procedure Rules

The Council adopted its Constitution, as amended, and agreed the Scheme of Officer Delegations for non-executive functions. The updated Financial Procedure Rules, reviewed by the Constitution Working Group and agreed by the Audit and Governance Committee, were also approved. Council agreed to exclude the Strategic Planning Committee and Development Management Sub-Committee from the duration of meeting rule, a change necessitated by the merging of planning sub-committees.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel

The Council considered recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel regarding Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs). It was agreed to introduce a 0.25x SRA for the Vice-Chair of the Development Management Sub-Committee. The panel noted that SRAs for the Chairs of the Strategic Planning Committee and Development Management Sub-Committee, as well as the Vice-Chair's allowance, would be reviewed in the autumn as part of a fuller review of allowances. The Council also noted that councillors could now opt into the Local Government Pension Scheme, and the members' allowances scheme would be updated accordingly.

Strategic Partnerships Update

The Leader provided an update on strategic partnerships, highlighting the role of the Local Government Association, the Local Councils Network, and South East Councils. He discussed the ongoing process of Local Government Reorganisation in Oxfordshire and the work of the Oxford Growth Commission. Updates were also provided on Publica and Ubico, with the Council reaffirming its commitment to working in partnership to deliver services and manage the LGR transition.

Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report

The Council received and noted the annual report on the activities of the Audit and Governance Committee for the municipal year 2025/26. The report detailed the committee's work in finance, internal and external audit, risk management, corporate governance, and counter fraud.

Director of Place Appointment

Council confirmed the salary for the newly appointed Director of Place, Daniel Taylor, at £104,722 per annum, plus the applicable pending pay award. Daniel Taylor joins from Essex County Council, where he has overseen significant development projects.

Appointment of Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer

Andrea McCaskie, Director of Governance and Regulatory Services, was appointed as the Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer for the District Council, with effect from 1 June 2026. This appointment follows the retirement of the current Chief Executive.

Motion to hold an Extraordinary Meeting to Confer an Honorary Title

A motion was passed to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council on 22 July 2026 to consider conferring the title of Honorary Alderman on former Councillor Julian Cooper, in recognition of his outstanding service to the Council and the people of West Oxfordshire.

Dates of Future Meetings

The dates for future Council meetings were confirmed, with the next meeting scheduled for 22 July 2026, which will include the extraordinary meeting to consider the honorary title.

The meeting concluded with the establishment and appointment of various committees, sub-committees, and working groups, including the Audit and Governance Committee, Licensing Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Performance and Appointments Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee. Chairs and Vice-Chairs were elected for these committees.