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Disappointing and daft – what Cherwell’s leading Councillors think of the current impasse
18/05/2023
Listen to our interviews with the three group leaders
“I haven’t seen anything as daft as this in all my years” – the words of Conservative Barry Wood following last night’s annual meeting where Councillors failed to elect a leader for Cherwell District Council.
Banbury FM spoke to the leaders of the three main groups after stalemate resulted in the meeting being adjourned until May 23, when further attempts will be made to elect a leader.
Labour’s Sean Woodcock had put himself forward as leader, after coalition talks between his party and the Progressive Oxfordshire Group (Liberal Democrats, Greens and Independents) ended without agreement.
Councillor Woodcock said: “We’re disappointed. I put myself forward as the fresh leadership that the Council needs. All of the other parties voted against it. They need to answer why that is. That’s the reason we’re here.
“An alternative was put forward. For some reason the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, Independents – those who say they’re progressive and against the Conservatives – decided they didn’t want it, so we’ll have to see what happens next.”
Listen to our interview with Councillor Sean Woodcock:
Last night’s meeting was adjourned as Progressive Councillors hoped a further week of negotiations with Labour might find a way forward.
Councillor Woodcock said: “Maybe in the morning we’ll look at things fresh. Our view – and it will remain so – is that we are the second largest party on Cherwell. If it’s not run by the Conservatives, it should be run and led by Labour. It’s up to the other parties how they respond to that and whether they can respond to that.”
Liberal Democrat David Hingley was more positive about the chance of progress in coalition talks.
He said: “I do think there’s a chance of moving it forward. There is an opportunity to form a majority administration on the Council between my group, the Progressive Oxfordshire Group of Democrats, Greens, Independent and the Labour group, to give the district the stability that we believe it needs.
“What we’ve asked for is a few more days to try and achieve that on behalf of the residents who voted for this change.
“It’s not an easy job sitting in this Chamber being a Councillor, but it’s something that we have to do and something that we are prepared to do, to have those discussions in order to try and get that stable administration for the Council and for residents.”
During the evening Councillor Higley was goaded as to why he didn’t put himself forward as leader.
He said: “You would have seen we voted against the Labour Group’s attempts to form a minority administration on the basis that we didn’t think they had enough numbers on their own to form a stable administration. I take the view that, at this point in time, while there are alternatives to pursue I would rather pursue them.”
Listen to our interview with Councillor David Hingley:
Barry Wood, who had been the Council’s leader for a number of years, lost a vote of no confidence early in the meeting. In the face of no other nominations the long-serving Conservative put himself forward, or was nominated a number of times, but failed to receive enough support.
He said: “It’s very disappointing for people who expect Councillors to come together and form an administration. It’s not that hard.
“The Labour group and the Progressive group don’t agree. They are worlds apart. So why the Progressives keep thinking that Labour are going to cave in and come over to them. Anyone watching this … can see it. That isn’t going to happen. It’s wakey, wakey time.
“The bottom line is that we are the biggest group and could be a minority administration. If any of the people opposite want to be part of that, my door is always open, but they don’t. They don’t want to be part of anything.
“This is really disappointing and it’s no way to run a council.”
Councillor Wood believes those who aren’t happy with the situation should make their views known.
He said: “If you are dismayed with what you’ve heard, read or seen about this then you ring up your local Councillor – whoever it is that you voted for. Say to them ‘come on, sort yourselves out’. How hard is it?”
Listen to our interview with Councillor Barry Wood:
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam