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  • "I'd have been quite happy to see either of these candidates appointed, and it is encouraging that the group had a real choice between two candidates of real stature, both of whom are more than capable of taking the job on. I can't help but feel that they have gone for the 'easier option', in all likelihood by reaction to the Mitchell era.

    I hope Mr Hudspeth, who has something of a reputation for ducking issues, will have the courage to tackle the rot in the council's senior management, which starts at the top. Competence and ability must in future be the criteria by which senior management are judged, and the depressing decline in standards over the past seven or eight years needs to be arrested and reversed. That will only be possible by beginning at the very top, where real responsibility for this decline lies, because so long as staff see that such an "example" is tolerated, they will not have confidence that real ability, commitment and the courage to speak truth to politicians will once again become the hallmarks of public service. The damage done is deep, but can be restored."
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COUNTY COUNCIL: Ian Hudspeth wins vote to replace Keith Mitchell as leader

6:27pm Thursday 26th April 2012 in Oxfordshire Photograph of the Author By Tom Jennings , covering Witney and West Oxfordshire. Call me on 01865 425403

Ian Hudspeth Ian Hudspeth

IAN HUDSPETH, ejected from the Oxfordshire County Council cabinet last year following a leadership bid, has tonight won the vote to replace Keith Mitchell as head of the ruling Conservative group.

Mr Hudspeth has beaten David Robertson in a vote of Tory county councillors.

Mr Mitchell announced in November he was standing down as the leader of the county council next month after more than 10 years in power.

It is not known yet what the voting figures were from tonight's meeting of the Conservative group.

Mr Hudspeth's 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, but that will be a formality given the Conservative's dominance.

Mr 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 to be 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 in delivering real choice, low taxes and value for money.”

Mr Mitchell said: "The May 15 full council meeting 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."

Mr Hudspeth had stood against Mr Mitchell last year for the leadership. He lost and then lost his place in the county cabinet.

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