Conservative Councillors not re-standing at May’s local elections

Council Leader Barry Wood made the announcement at a meeting on Monday

Five of the 11 Conservative councillors at Cherwell District Council who’s seats are due to be contested at May’s local elections will not be re-standing this year.

At Monday’s full Council Meeting Councillor Barry Wood, who’s the Council’s Leader, announced that for a number of his councillors this would be their last meeting.

Former Banbury Town Mayor, John Donaldson, is retiring from district council service after 20 years.   He has represented the Banbury Hardwick ward.   Councillor Wood noted Councillor Donaldson’s commitment to representing the Council on a list of outside bodies “that would fill a page”.   Councillor Wood concluded: “He has not been a slacker!”

Deddington Ward Councillor Bryn Williams will also not be standing again following 10 years as a district councillor.

The others announced as stepping away from district council politics were Patrick Clarke (Fingford and Heyfords), Dan Sames (Bicester South and Ambrosden), and Maurice Billington, who has been a councillor for 31 years, representing Kidlington East.   Councillor Billington served as the Council’s Chairman for two years during his tenure.

The forthcoming local elections were clearly on the minds of Councillors during the meeting.   During an address on the budget the Leader of the Opposition, Liberal Democrat Councillor David Hingley, hinted at “other potential changes that may happen this year”, and hoped that “Cherwell would approach its post-Conservative phase in a positive manner”.

Currently the Conservatives control the council in a minority administration.   Following last year’s elections they had 20 seats, Labour 12, Liberal Democrat 10, Green 3 and Independent 3.   In May voters will elect Councillors for 16 of the Council’s 48 seats.

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Published: 28/02/2024 11:02am by Banbury FM Newsteam

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