Leader’s statement – 13 May 2026

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, delivered her Leader’s statement to Council at the meeting on 13 May 2026.

The last few weeks have been busy ones for many of us. As I mentioned before, there is a lot to organise in the lead up to our Annual Meeting, and I would like to thank officers for all that has been done to support us to get this far.

Last week, we saw council elections across the county and in neighbouring councils, and while they didn’t directly affect our council, I think I saw most members of all political leanings involved in some way: on the campaign trail, knocking on doors endorsing candidates and delivering fliers.

I say they did not have a direct effect, but I am conscious that with the changes we have seen in political balance of councils locally and nationally, we may see some changes in policy. I await details of the government’s plans on devolution and local government reorganisation.

I have long believed that the best way forward for a devolution geography for our region, be it for a Mayoral or Foundational Strategic Authority, is one that is formed around Oxfordshire and Berkshire, with the potential inclusion of Buckinghamshire, in what would be a more conventional view of the Thames Valley.

I believe any other model has until now come from more political thinking, creating what has been described as a “reimagined” Thames Valley: one that includes Swindon, and one, since the results last week’s election results, which may not be viewed with such importance by government or neighbouring councils.

We are also awaiting news from Westminster to reassure us that the timelines for both local government reorganisation and devolution are still as suggested. With the news that the minister for devolution resigned yesterday, and just this evening, that a new minister has been announced, I think that we need to be cautious and pause before we commit ourselves to anything further. At a time when we still do not know the leadership of several councils across the region, it is critical that we have reassurance from central government that they are still committed to this programme of work.

While many local councils are still in a state of flux, we would like to welcome back colleagues who are returning to leadership across the county, send our best wishes to those in new positions, and to thank all outgoing leaders as they step aside from previous roles. I would like to thank Cllr Liz Leffman, who yesterday stood down as leader of Oxfordshire County Council. She has achieved so much in her time as leader of the council, and I am grateful for the collaborative way in which she worked. I look forward to welcoming her successor.

Our annual meeting marks a point time where we stop and regroup, electing our chair and vice chair, making sure that each committee has a membership that is looking forward to the year ahead of them. It is also a time to announce a refreshed cabinet.

This year, with the amount of work we have in front of us, I have decided to appoint an extra cabinet member to share out the responsibilities of the executive. Local government reorganisation will increase the workload of every portfolio, with business as usual ticking alongside, and several big-ticket items still on the agenda.

The new structure more closely mirrors the organisational structure of the council, and officers have welcomed these changes.

I am therefore delighted to announce my cabinet for this year.

As leader, I will be taking on Public Sector Reform & Strategic Partnerships. My Deputy, Cllr Coleman, will continue to oversee the Finance Portfolio for which I am immensely grateful.

Cllr Crawford will continue with Property and Housing, picking up Economic Development, and Cllr Smith retains Planning. After a short time on cabinet, Cllr Clegg has shown his worth, and will continue in Environmental Services, Climate Action and Nature Recovery. Cllr Foulsham will continue a significant programme of work in Policies and Programmes, and Cllr Helen Pighills will retain Communities.

The Legal and Democratic and Corporate Services Portfolios have been traditionally grouped together. Due to the anticipated increase in workload in these areas, we have split them on the advice of officers, with Cllr Fawcett assigned to Legal and Democratic and Cllr Edwards coming back to cabinet to oversee Corporate Services.

I am delighted with this new arrangement and will be looking forward to working with all members and officers across the council over the next twelve months to progress a significant programme of work. So, with no further delay, let us begin to move forward into this new municipal year.