Oxford City Council’s administration has been determined following more than a week of discussions over how to run the authority.
The Labour faction, which retained its position as the biggest group on the hung council after the May 7 polls, will maintain control as a minority administration.
Negotiations involving Labour, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats did not produce a coalition agreement between the three groups.
In a combined declaration, the groups indicated that after their talks there would be enhanced cooperation on various matters ahead.
Labour had been governing with 21 seats before the election.
The party shed two seats while gaining one, meaning it will now lead the council with 20 seats.
Susan Brown continues as Labour group leader and effectively the council’s chief.
She expressed satisfaction that an accord had been reached with the two main opposition groups on a path forward that offers the council stability.
She offered reassurance to residents and employees that the transition to the new council structure would proceed smoothly and services would continue without interruption.
She noted that while Labour sets the council’s agenda, the priorities already have backing across party lines, and while disagreements on certain policy matters would persist, the groups had agreed to cooperate where possible.
She affirmed the Labour faction’s dedication to delivering key commitments such as affordable housing, constructing hundreds of new council properties, and widening the Oxford Living Wage scheme.
She also mentioned plans to deploy community wardens to address anti-social behaviour.
Lois Muddiman, recently elected as leader of Oxford’s Green faction, commented that after the local elections the Greens have more councillors on Oxford City Council than ever before.
She explained that consequently the party has been engaged in intensive discussions with other groups to obtain reforms to the council’s functioning to ensure it more effectively represents the entire city.
She stated she was extremely satisfied with the outcome and that the groups have achieved a more transparent and cooperative method of operating the council.
She added that this would be implemented through the budget process and through cross-party committee chairmanship arrangements.
Ms Muddiman declared that as the primary opposition group on the city council, they look forward to continuing to work constructively and collaboratively with other parties, while standing up for their residents and holding the administration to account.
She noted that as the main opposition, the Greens anticipate continuing to engage productively with other parties while representing their constituents and scrutinising the administration.
Katharine Miles, elected as Liberal Democrat group leader following the local elections, stated her party would scrutinise the minority administration while pursuing a safer, healthier and more sustainable Oxford economy.
She said that in politically divided times, cooperation on shared objectives is necessary to establish stability and unity.
She emphasised that Oxford is one city and will be more effective when it collaborates, and she looked forward to working with fellow group leaders on this.
She said the incoming administration had made a clear pledge regarding Vision Zero on roads, adding that these must not be hollow promises made merely to secure a deal in a minority administration.