I am married with 1 daughter and am lucky to live in the village of Bladon. I use to run a couple of hardware shops in London but with rent increases and all the travelling I gave them up and now concentrate on local government work.

My first taste was joining Bladon Parish Council in 1998 becoming chairman in 1999, I left in 2009.

In 2002 I was first elected to West Oxfordshire District Council as the ward member for Woodstock & Bladon, I was re-elected in 2004 & 2008. In 2003 I was promoted to the Cabinet with responsibility for Health & Community Safety which included implementing the new licencing regulations. I stepped down from the cabinet in 2006 but I continue as chairman of the Licensing committee and Miscellaneous Licensing committee. At the 2012 elections I lost my seat.

In 2005 I was elected to Oxfordshire County Council for the Woodstock division, I was re-elected in 2009. I was promoted to the Cabinet in 2007 with responsibility for transport, after the 2009 elections I changed portfolio to Growth & Infrastructure which covers the strategic planning for the county, waste management, environmental management, flooding, climate change and archaeology. Along with cabinet member for South Oxfordshire liaison. I was not reappointed to the cabinet in May 2011.

On 15th May 2012 I was honoured to be elected Leader of Oxfordshire County Council.

I watch Oxford United as often as my diary permits including travelling to away games as far as Plymouth & Morecambe.

I am a trustee of Oxford United Community Trust. A charity that empowers and inspires our fans, their families and their communities to fully participate, reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.

To go to the Oxford United website please click below:

Oxford United

Oxfordshire Councillor Allowances

All councillors are entitled to receive an allowance for the duties they undertake as a councillor.

Oxfordshire County Council is permitted, by law, to set the level of allowances that are paid to its members. Unlike council officers, councillors do not receive a salary. The allowances are intended to cover the expenses they incur in being a local councillor. Allowances are set following recommendations by an independent panel. Examples of the allowances are:

a basic allowance - paid to every county councillor
a special responsibility allowance - paid to members of the cabinet, committee chairmen, leader of the council and leader of the opposition etc.
travel and subsistence allowances
dependant carers allowance

The basic allowance at Oxfordshire County Council is £10,303.08.
The additional allowance for Leader of the County Council is £29,878.68.

The total allowance that I receive is £40,181.76
Following the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel as from 1st April 2015.

The allowances are subject to tax and NI at the appropriate rates.

For full details of all expense claims please follow the link:

http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/oxfordshire-councillor-allowances