A SHAKE-UP of Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet has seen a change in the councillor overseeing highways – including the controversial low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).

Tim Bearder is now taking on the adult social care portfolio, replacing Jenny Hannaby, who will become cabinet member for community services and safety.

Neil Fawcett had previously fulfilled that role, and is standing down from cabinet.

Andrew Gant has become cabinet member for highway management – the position previously held by Mr Bearder.

‘He’s a wonderful act to follow’: New highways councillor praises Tim Bearder

What does the highway role include?

While LTNs is the biggest talking point in the role, there are a variety of other things the portfolio consists of, including:

  • Walking and cycling infrastructure
  • Highway delivery operations
  • 20mph speed limits
  • Parking
  • Street lighting
  • Public rights of way

Following the council’s annual general meeting earlier this week – when the changes were formally made – Mr Gant told the Oxford Mail: “It’s a great responsibility and an honour to be joining this cabinet, taking over the role which councillor Bearder has filled with enormous energy and distinction.

“I’m an enormous admirer of Tim’s, he’s one of the hardest working people in local government that I know, and Oxfordshire is enormously lucky to have him. He’s a wonderful act to follow.

“I will do things in my way to build on the achievements he delivered.”

What about adult social care?

On Mr Bearder’s new position, Liz Leffman, the council’s leader, said during the meeting: “This is a very important role – there’ll be great pressure on adult and social care over the next 12 months due to inflation.”

The adult social care portfolio includes:

  • Carers services
  • Support to: people with learning disabilities; physical disability services; people living with the impact of a brain injury; people living with a long-term condition; older people services; homelessness
  • Mental health
  • Health partnerships

Read more from this author

This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice