Cherwell District Council has confirmed its new leadership structure following the most recent local elections, which saw 18 seats decided. Councillor Lesley McLean has been appointed Leader of the Council, becoming the first woman in more than three decades to hold the position, with Councillor Chris Brant serving as Deputy Leader.
The council will be led by a Liberal Democrat and Green administration, with a full executive portfolio team now confirmed covering areas including finance, planning, housing, leisure and community services. The first full council meeting also included the handover of the chairmanship from Councillor Dorothy Walker to Councillor Nigel Simpson, alongside charitable donations raised during the previous civic year.
Councillor Lesley McLean confirmed that members of the council executive will be as follows:
- Councillor Lesley McLean – Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Growth
- Councillor Chris Brant – Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning & Enforcement
- Councillor David Hingley – Portfolio Holder for Finance
- Councillor Nicola Borkmann – Portfolio Holder for Customer & Community Services
- Councillor Rob Pattenden – Portfolio Holder for Property & Assets
- Councillor Frank Ideh – Portfolio Holder for Law & Governance
- Councillor Ian Middleton – Portfolio Holder for Housing & Greener Communities
- Councillor Lisa Smith – Portfolio Holder for Leisure
- Councillor Alisa Russell – Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services
