# Cherwell (district)

Cherwell (/ˈtʃɑːrwɛl/ CHAR-wel or /ˈtʃɜːrwɛl/ CHUR-wel) is a local government district in northern Oxfordshire, England. The district was created in 1974 and takes its name from the River Cherwell, which drains south through the region to flow into the River Thames at Oxford. Towns in Cherwell include Banbury and Bicester. Kidlington is a contender for largest village in England.

## History

Cherwell district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the area of four former districts, which were all abolished at the same time:
* Banbury Municipal Borough
* Banbury Rural District
* Bicester Urban District
* Ploughley Rural District
The new district was named Cherwell after the main river in the area.

## Geography

The northern half of the Cherwell district consists mainly of gently rolling hills going down towards the River Cherwell, but the southern half of the district around Bicester is much flatter. The north-west of the district lies at the northern extremity of the Cotswolds.

## Governance

Oxfordshire has a two-tier structure of local government, with the five district councils (including Cherwell District Council) providing district-level services, and Oxfordshire County Council providing county-level services.

### Political control

The council has been under no overall control since the 2023 election. Prior to that election, the Conservatives had held a majority of the seats on the council since 2000. Following the 2024 election a minority Liberal Democrat, Green Party and independent administration formed to run the council.
The first election to the district council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:
| Party in control | Years |
| No overall control | 1974–1976 |
| Conservative | 1976–1995 |
| No overall control | 1995–1996 |
| Labour | 1996–1998 |
| No overall control | 1998–2000 |
| Conservative | 2000–2023 |
| No overall control | 2023–present |

### Leadership

The leaders of the council since 2001 have been:
| Councillor | Party | From | To |
| George Reynolds | Conservative | 3 Sep 2001 | Jun 2004 |
| Barry Wood | Conservative | 23 Jun 2004 | 17 May 2023 |
| Barry Wood | Conservative | 23 May 2023 | 22 May 2024 |
| David Hingley | Liberal Democrats | 22 May 2024 | |

### Composition

Following the 2024 election, the composition of the council was:
| Party | Party | Councillors |
| | Liberal Democrats | 17 |
| | Labour | 13 |
| | Conservative | 11 |
| | Green | 4 |
| | Independent | 3 |
| Total | Total | 48 |
One of the independent councillors sits with the Green Party as the 'Green and Independent Alliance Group', which forms the council's administration with the Liberal Democrats. The other two independents sit together as the 'Independent Group'.
Following a series of negotiations, it was announced by the council that a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and one independent councillor would take charge of the council as a minority administration, ending a 24-year period of the Conservatives being in charge of the council.
The next election is due 7 May 2026.

### Premises

The council is based at Bodicote House in Bodicote, a village immediately to the south of Banbury, the district's largest town. Bodicote House is a large eighteenth century house, which had served as the headquarters of the old Banbury Rural District Council since 1952. Large modern extensions have since been added to the original house. In 2023 the council announced plans to move its headquarters into the Castle Quay shopping centre in Banbury and sell the Bodicote House site.

## Elections

Since 2016 the council has comprised 48 councillors elected from 16 wards, with each ward electing three councillors. Elections to the council are held in three out of every four years, with one third of the council being chosen at each election. Elections to Oxfordshire County Council are held in the fourth year of the cycle when there are no district council elections.

## Arms

Coat of arms of Cherwell :
* NotesGranted 21 March 2016
* CrestOn a Wreath Or and Vert in front of a Rainbow proper an Oak Tree eradicated Sable leaved Vert and fructed Or, Mantled Vert and Azure lined Or and Argent.
* EscutcheonVert a Pale wavy Or thereon a Pale wavy Azure all between two Pallets Argent on each a Pallet Azure.
* MottoFrom Cherwell Flows Prosperity

## Transport

Much of the district is within easy reach of the M40, with junctions 9, 10 and 11 in the district. It also has good rail links with London, Birmingham, Oxford and the South.

## Media

In terms of television, the area is served by BBC South and ITV Meridian broadcasting from the Oxford transmitter. However, Banbury can also receive BBC West Midlands and ITV Central from the local relay transmitter which is transmitted via the Sutton Coldfield transmitter.
Radio stations for the area are BBC Radio Oxford, Heart South, Capital Mid-Counties and Greatest Hits Radio.
Local newspapers are Banbury Guardian and Bicester Advertiser.

## Settlements in Cherwell district

* Adderbury, Ambrosden, Ardley, Arncott
* Banbury, Barford St. John, Barford St. Michael, Begbroke, Bicester
* Blackthorn
* Bletchingdon, Bloxham, Bodicote
* Broughton
* Bucknell, Burdrop
* Charlton-on-Otmoor, Claydon, Cottisford, Cropredy
* Deddington, Drayton, Duns Tew
* Epwell
* Fencott, Finmere, Fringford, Fritwell
* Godington, Gosford, Great Bourton
* Hampton Poyle, Hanwell, Hardwick, Hethe
* Hook Norton, Horley
* Islip
* Juniper Hill
* Kidlington, Kirtlington
* Launton, Little Bourton, Lower Heyford
* Merton, Middle Aston, Middleton Stoney
* Milcombe, Milton, Mixbury, Mollington, Murcott
* Noke, North Aston, North Newington
* Oddington
* Prescote
* Shenington, Shipton-on-Cherwell, Shutford
* Sibford Ferris, Sibford Gower, Somerton
* Souldern, South Newington, Steeple Aston, Stoke Lyne, Swalcliffe
* Tadmarton, Thrupp
* Upper Heyford
* Wardington, Water Eaton, Weston-on-the-Green, Wroxton
* Yarnton