South Oxfordshire Leader announces Cabinet reshuffle

Released on April 7, 2020

Cllr Sue Cooper, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, has announced changes to the membership of her Cabinet, reflecting the Council’s current priorities and operational changes due to the coronavirus outbreak.  The changes will ensure adequate support is provided to the Chief Executive and his senior management team in these unprecedented times and that all members are well-placed to ensure that information is communicated effectively to their relevant local support groups.

From 1 April, Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers (Cabinet Member for Community Services) and Cllr Robin Bennett (Cabinet Member for Development and Regeneration), will share the Deputy Leader role, succeeding Cllr David Turner who steps down from Cabinet and from his role as Cabinet Member for Finance.

Cllr Leigh Rawlins moves to take on the Finance Portfolio, supporting officers as they respond the rapidly changing economic environment and its potential impact on the long-term financial health of the council.

Cllr Anne-Marie Simpson (Lib Dem member for Cholsey) joins the Cabinet and assumes the portfolio for Planning, where her first priority will be to ensure that the emerging Local Plan 2034 proceeds through the Inspection process in line with the motion passed by the Council at its last Full Meeting on 5 March. 

Cllr Sue Cooper said: “I would like to express my sincere thanks to David Turner for his wise counsel and diligent contributions to Cabinet discussions over the past year, particularly in delivering a robust budget for 2020-21.  I particularly appreciated his support and many years of experience as we moved from opposition into leading the administration after the May 2019 elections, and I have no doubt he will continue to draw upon his long history as a Councillor to provide sound advice to us all.”

Cllr David Turner said: “It has been a great privilege to serve on Cabinet for the past year, after many years in opposition scrutinising previous administrations.  It is a sign of great strength in our ranks that we have so many new and capable Councillors able to bring new insights, perspectives and energy to the table.  I shall continue to work tirelessly for all the residents of my ward who re-elected me as their representative last year and to support the Administration in these challenging times.”