Leader’s statement – Report to Council – 14 May 2025

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, delivered her latest Report to Council at the meeting on 14 May 2025:

Firstly I want to welcome you all here tonight to mark the beginning of a new municipal year.

I almost feel like a veteran these days, though I know many of you have been here much longer than I have, but it is easy to get into the rhythms of our council, the changes that are made every year, refreshing our committees and reviewing our responsibilities.

There have been many changes here tonight, with the appointment of a new chair and vice chair in Cllrs Forder and Rayner – I welcome you both to your new positions and am reassured that you will uphold the long traditions of this chamber, promoting the council and the good works of your charities, Oxfordshire Mind and Host Abingdon.

My cabinet has also seen change, and I would like to acknowledge and thank Cllrs Lucy Edwards, Diana Lugova and Sue Caul for their commitment to their portfolios over the time they have had them in their care; I am sure those members taking on your responsibilities will value your contribution as I do.

I would also like to make special mention of Cllr Andy Crawford, who is staying on cabinet but in a different role. I am sure most of you are familiar with Cllr Crawford’s appearances in council and cabinet meetings, particularly at budget time, when year after year, he has, with the assistance of officers, steered us through some difficult times; for those of you who don’t know already, it was predicted that when we took over this administration in 2019 that we would be facing bankruptcy by this stage, but by careful and considered financial stewardship we have maintained a balanced budget while delivering first class services to our residents.

Cllr Coleman will be taking on finance this year, and I am sure will appreciate Cllr Crawford’s guidance and advice as he settles into this role. We also welcome back former leader, Cllr Emily Smith, who will take on planning and development management, and a new face to cabinet, Cllr Hayleigh Gascoigne, who will take on the climate action and environmental services portfolio – and as former chair of CEAC I am sure she will be a good fit.

So while we say goodbye to some, we welcome others and embrace the change that comes with a council that has so many talented and experienced members. And with that, I would like to focus your attention on the change that we see around us.

Firstly to the results of the recent county elections. While we saw a significant victory for the more liberal left leaning parties, with a majority administration led by the Liberal Democrats and an increase in the number of Green Party seats as well, there was a significant vote for Reform UK, a party that I think everyone in this room would not want to see gain a further foothold in our county, or in any unitary or mayoral strategic authority that we may form, and it is this change that we must focus on in the coming years.

Our council is delivering first class services to its residents, and we know that South Oxfordshire are doing the same. I firmly believe that this is the best way we can stave off the rise of a Reform vote, by providing a credible liberal alternative that shows our residents through concrete examples that we are the best option for their future, and I would like to enter this new municipal year with renewed vigour and a commitment to achieve the best for our residents.

While I know that we have no direct control over the formation of future councils, as that is being decided by the Secretary of State, it is the councils themselves which need to lead this process, engaging with our MPs and other stakeholders to produce the best option for a model

to serve our communities, and in the interim, I am confident that our council, with its fantastic record of delivery, will continue to put our residents first over the coming year, showing them that we are the best option for their future.

I invite you all to join me in being part of this journey and wish you all well as you continue your service to our district.