County will 'lead the way', says new council leader

The new leader of Oxfordshire County Council has said the county will "lead the way" on key issues during his tenure.

Liberal Democrat Tim Bearder was installed as only the fourth person to lead the authority since 2001 at a meeting on Wednesday.

The councillor has previously held positions in the authority's cabinet - with his time in charge of highways management proving particularly controversial, as he oversaw the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Oxford.

He has taken over from his party colleague Liz Leffman, who announced she would be standing down earlier this month after five years in the role.

Speaking on Wednesday, Bearder - who represents Wheatley - said leading the council was a "huge honour", adding: "I do not take that responsibility lightly."

"Politics matters most when it improves people's everyday lives," the former BBC journalist said.

An extraordinary general meeting of the council took place on Wednesday morning with the purpose of installing Bearder in his new role.

On his priorities whilst in the role, he said: "I came into politics because I believe in fairness."

"I also believe deeply that Oxfordshire can lead the way — on climate action, on sustainable transport, on strong public services and on building a county where prosperity is shared more fairly," he said.

"I want us to be ambitious for Oxfordshire, but also grounded in the realities people face everyday."

"We are at our best when we work together - with each other, with residents and with our partners across the county."

Alongside Bearder's swearing in, Wednesday's meeting also saw a reshuffle of the council's Lib Dem cabinet.

Among those taking up new roles was Gareth Epps, who has been moved to the highly scrutinised transport position following the resignation of Andrew Gant.

Meanwhile, former leader Leffman has been put in charge of highways construction and repair - a new role which makes her the authority's de-facto pothole czar.