A DECISION to axe the role of chief executive at Oxfordshire County Council could be overturned. 

The move was voted through by the Conservative-Independent Alliance last week, during a heated full meeting of councillors.

It would have made the position redundant by June and granted chief executive Joanna Simons a total redundancy package amounting to almost £600,000.

But county council leader Ian Hudspeth said: "Last week the council decided to make the post of Chief Executive redundant. However there have been questions from councillors about the process, and on further legal advice the decision cannot stand without returning to full council. I am therefore taking this opportunity to review the overall proposal.

"I still believe the county council can operate successfully without a chief executive, but I accept concerns raised by council members about the risks. That is why it is right that we take more time to consider the options and include the views of all members.

"Leadership is about listening, and I accept I may have acted hastily and I am sorry this happened. However I acted with the best of intentions so the saving could be included as part of the budget process. The council faces unprecedented budget pressures, and we need to act boldly to reduce costs while continuing to deliver good services.

"The cross-party review will give us more time to consider all the options for managing the county council as it faces the financial challenges ahead."

Our top stories