Councillor Liz Leffman is to step down as leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Oxfordshire County Council, and as leader of the county council itself, bringing an end to her tenure that began in 2021.
The council’s Liberal Democrat group has elected Councillor Tim Bearder as its new leader. An extraordinary general meeting of the council will be held on a date to be confirmed to formally elect a new leader of the authority. In the meantime, Deputy Leader Councillor Neil Fawcett will act as interim leader.
Councillor Leffman is only the third leader of the county council since a cabinet system for local government was introduced in 2001.
She said: “It has been a huge privilege to serve as leader of the county council since 2021. I have very much enjoyed the role and the connections that I have been able to make with people all over the county, in all walks of life.
“However, now is the time for me to stand down. In May 2027, we will be having elections for the new unitary council or councils, and as I will not be standing for election, it is right that I hand over the leadership in the run-up to these elections. I do intend to remain as a member of cabinet.
“I know that while welcoming new members the cabinet will continue to steer Oxfordshire through local government reorganisation, devolution and the financial challenges that are facing many councils
“We will also want to re-dedicate ourselves to our priorities based around climate action and sustainable economic growth.”
The change in leadership comes as the county council also confirmed its civic appointments for the year ahead.
Councillor Ted Fenton, who represents Bampton and Carterton South, has been elected Chair of Oxfordshire County Council for 2026/7, following the Annual Meeting held on Tuesday 12 May.
Councillor Roz Smith will serve as Vice-Chair for the same period.
Councillor Fenton, 63, was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, King’s College London and Magdalene College, Cambridge. He moved to West Oxfordshire in 1985 to join Cokethorpe School, where he worked for 35 years in a range of teaching and administrative roles.
He was elected to West Oxfordshire District Council in 2015 and to Oxfordshire County Council in 2017, before being re-elected in 2025 to represent Bampton and Carterton South.
Councillor Fenton said: “It is an honour to have been elected by my fellow councillors to chair the council for this municipal year. I am looking forward to the next 12 months and to the challenge of chairing the council. As Vice-Chair of the council last year I have an insight into the role and thus I am well prepared.”
As the ceremonial head of the council, the chair must be a serving county councillor but must remain politically impartial. A new chair is elected each May at the annual general meeting of the county council, which this year was on Tuesday 21 May.
Ceremonial duties performed by the chair include:
- being the politically impartial civic leader of Oxfordshire
- promoting the objectives and services of the county council and Oxfordshire
- acting as an ambassador for the county council and Oxfordshire
- fostering community identity and pride
Key responsibilities include:
- presiding over meetings of the full council
- accepting invitations on behalf of the county council to attend events
- inviting individuals and representatives of key organisations to events at County Hall and other venues.
