New council leader to be confirmed on May 15

Councillor Ian Hudspeth has been selected by the Conservative group to replace Councillor Keith Mitchell. His name will now be put forward as the new leader of the county council when all 74 county councillors next meet at the authority's Annual General Meeting on May 15.

Councillor Hudspeth said: "I am obviously delighted with this result and will now look to the future. However Councillor Mitchell remains in office until May 15 when full council will consider me as the Conservative group's nomination as the new leader.

"Councillor Mitchell has led the council with distinction for the last decade and out of respect for him and until the county council has made its final and formal decision on May 15 I will not be commenting further to any great degree."

“I am sure I speak for councillors and officers alike at the council in wishing to record immense gratitude to Keith Mitchell for his dedication and service to the county of Oxfordshire over the past decade. His excellent leadership ensures that Oxfordshire County Council remains one of the leading councils in the country for real choice, low taxes and value for money.”

Councillor Keith Mitchell said: "The May 15 full council will make the final decision. That is when my time as leader will officially end and my successor will take on the role.

"I wish my successor the all the very best in taking on the leadership of a council that provides 80 per cent of local government services in Oxfordshire including key functions such as highways, social care for adults and children, schools and education, fire and rescue and many more."