Lib Dems and Greens fill County positions vacated by Labour

Lib Dem and Green Councillors filling the gaps following Labour’s departure

Oxfordshire County Council’s Leader, Liz Leffman, will be taking direct responsibility for the county’s special educational needs and disabilities provision until a newly created post of cabinet member for SEND services is filled.

Councillor Leffman will also oversee the work of the cabinet member for children’s services until an appointment is made to that role.   That is expected to be later this week.

The post was vacated by Labour Councillor Liz Brighouse at the weekend when Labour members left the coalition which has been running the County Council for the last two years.

Councillor Brighouse was also the Council’s deputy leader.   That role has been filled by Green party councillor Dr Pete Sudbury.

Councillor Leffman said: “It is important that we begin to quickly fill vacant cabinet positions so that we can rapidly re-focus on the issues that matter to Oxfordshire people. I look forward to working with Cllr Sudbury in his new role as deputy leader.

“Very much at the fore of our thoughts is the subject of special educational needs and disabilities following the recent Ofsted judgement.

“We need to act urgently on the matters raised in the recent Ofsted inspection. The creation of a new cabinet role focused wholly on SEND will ensure that the whole council has a constant and permanent focus on turning the situation around at pace.

“We feel strongly that we need to build trust with parents and children, communicate better with them, listen to them and deliver better outcomes for the most vulnerable children in the county. I look forward to the new arrangements coming into place and to working with colleagues to deliver the change that’s needed.”

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Published: 27/09/2023 02:13pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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