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Banbury’s MP says she will “hold to account” the new administration at Cherwell
10/05/2023
Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors respond after Victoria Prentis praises the outgoing Conservative administration
Banbury’s MP says whatever the new administration looks like at Cherwell District Council she will “hold them to account” on behalf of her constituents.
At last week’s Local Elections the Conservatives lost control of the Council after shedding five seats. They remain the largest party with 20 seats, but below the threshold of 25 to have a majority.
Discussions are currently underway to see what alliances can be formed between the various groups to take charge.
In a statement Mrs Prentis said last week’s results were disappointing and praised the outgoing administration, whilst attacking the alliance that is running Oxfordshire County Council.
She said: “Conservative-led Cherwell has been a well-run and effective local authority, with consistently low council tax. By contrast, we have seen the chaos which has come from County Hall under the so-called Fair Deal Alliance. We have all felt the impact of this in North Oxfordshire, from the state of our roads to the shambles of the Spare Seats scheme and inadequate support for children with special educational needs.
“Whatever the new administration looks like in Cherwell, I will continue to work with them closely and hold them to account on behalf of my constituents.”
The Leader of the Labour group at Cherwell has hit back and says Mrs Prentis should be reflecting on why people voted as they did. Councillor Sean Woodcock’s party increased their seats by three, with a clean sweep in Banbury.
He said: “It is clear from these elections that people are utterly fed up of the Conservatives. They’ve delivered an NHS on its knees, sewage in our rivers and a cost-of-living crisis that includes a premium on peoples’ mortgages because of their shambles of a budget in the Autumn.
“But it is not only this government, of which Victoria Prentis is a senior member, that people are fed up with. It is a tired Conservative council that has presided over an increase in council taxes, housing waiting lists and their own debt.
“The people of Cherwell have spoken and firmly rejected the Conservatives and perhaps Victoria should spend more time reflecting on the real reasons why.”
The Liberal Democrats also increased by three the number of seats they have at Cherwell. In response to Mrs Prentis’ statement Councillor David Hingley highlighted why he believed they had seen success.
He said: “Our new councillors are hard-working local residents who care deeply about their communities and who want to get stuck in helping residents with the issues that matter to them and providing real, effective representation across Cherwell.
“While it’s still too early to specify exactly what might happen next in terms of a new administration, we look forward to playing our part and working hard to deliver a bright future for the towns and villages of the district.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam