Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown has announced her Cabinet for 2026/27, setting out who will lead key areas including housing, finance, planning, community safety and homelessness during the final years before local government reorganisation.
At a glance
| What happened | Oxford City Council’s Cabinet for 2026/27 has been announced |
| Who leads it | Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council |
| When announced | Wednesday 20 May 2026, at the Annual Council Meeting |
| Main areas covered | Housing, finance, planning, climate, community safety, homelessness, waste, leisure and council companies |
| Political context | Labour remains the largest group on the council but does not hold an overall majority |
Councillor Susan Brown has named the team that will lead Oxford City Council’s main executive portfolios for 2026/27.
The new Cabinet was announced at the Annual Council Meeting on Wednesday 20 May and comes as the authority enters a politically and structurally important period.
Labour remains the largest group on Oxford City Council, with 20 of the authority’s 48 seats. The Greens have 13 seats, the Liberal Democrats have 9, the Oxford Independent Alliance has 4 and the Real Independent Group has 2.
The Cabinet will oversee council priorities including affordable housing, neighbourhood services, planning, climate work, anti-social behaviour, the private rented sector and preparations for local government reorganisation.
Who is in Oxford City Council’s Cabinet?
| Councillor | Cabinet role | Main responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Susan Brown | Leader, and Cabinet Member for Partnership Working, Inclusive Economic Growth and Culture | Council strategy, partnerships, the Oxford Growth Commission, culture and local government reorganisation |
| Ed Turner | Deputy Leader (Statutory), and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management | Financial strategy, treasury strategy, support for residents and businesses, major projects and property assets |
| Anna Railton | Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Planning and Zero Carbon Oxford | Local Plan, planning policy, air quality, biodiversity, carbon reduction, parks, allotments and open spaces |
| Linda Smith | Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities | Affordable housing, council home quality, compliance, estate regeneration, community centres and grants |
| Lubna Arshad | Cabinet Member for a Safer Oxford | Community safety, anti-social behaviour, safeguarding and work with Thames Valley Police |
| Nigel Chapman | Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies | Customer service, waste and recycling, street scene, public conveniences, ODS and OX Place |
| Mark Lygo | Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford | Health inequalities, leisure contract management, Oxford Living Wage promotion and local market promotions |
| Mike Rowley | Cabinet Member for Regulation of the Private Rented Sector and Preventing Homelessness | Homelessness prevention, housing affordability policy, private rented sector regulation and temporary accommodation |
What the new Cabinet will focus on
Councillor Brown said the Cabinet would continue work on the council’s priorities, including tackling the high cost of living, extending the Oxford Living Wage, building affordable housing and responding to anti-social behaviour.
The Oxford Living Wage for 2026/27 is £14.06 an hour. It is a voluntary minimum hourly rate promoted by the council and set at 95 per cent of the London Living Wage to reflect the cost of living in the city.
The council also points to neighbourhood measures agreed in its latest budget, including free bulky waste collections, community wardens to tackle fly-tipping and more grass verge cutting.
Councillor Brown said the administration wanted Oxford’s economy to work for residents across the city, saying the Cabinet would continue to work with communities and businesses.
Why this Cabinet matters
The announcement comes during what is expected to be one of the last full years of Oxford City Council in its current form.
Local government reorganisation is due to replace Oxfordshire’s existing councils with a new unitary structure in 2028. Shadow councils are expected to be elected in May 2027, before the existing six councils in Oxfordshire are abolished on 1 April 2028.
That means the 2026/27 Cabinet will have to balance day-to-day services with preparation for a major change in how local government works across the county.
Councillor Brown said: “These are the final years of the city council, but we still have a lot of work to deliver the priorities of the people of Oxford.”
What services are affected?
The Cabinet does not run every public service in Oxford. County-wide services such as highways, education and adult social care are currently the responsibility of Oxfordshire County Council.
Oxford City Council’s responsibilities include areas such as housing, planning, environmental health, waste collection, leisure, community safety work, council tax collection and local economic initiatives.
For residents, the portfolios announced today indicate which councillors will lead political decision-making on issues including council housing, the private rented sector, homelessness, recycling, planning policy, parks, community safety and the council’s companies.
FAQs
Who is the leader of Oxford City Council?
Councillor Susan Brown is the Leader of Oxford City Council. She is also the Cabinet Member for Partnership Working, Inclusive Economic Growth and Culture.
Who is the Deputy Leader?
Councillor Ed Turner is the statutory Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management. Councillor Anna Railton is also Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Zero Carbon Oxford.
Does Labour have a majority on Oxford City Council?
No. Labour is the largest group, with 20 of the council’s 48 seats, but it does not have an overall majority.
What does the Cabinet do?
The Cabinet is the council’s main executive decision-making group. Cabinet members lead policy areas such as housing, finance, planning, community safety, waste, leisure and homelessness.
Why is local government reorganisation mentioned?
Oxfordshire’s existing councils are due to be abolished on 1 April 2028 and replaced by a new unitary structure. Shadow councils are expected to be elected in May 2027, so the current city council is entering its final years in its present form.
Where can residents see the full council announcement?
The full announcement is available on the Oxford City Council website.
