THE new leader of South Oxfordshire District Council has said she will look to ‘maintain and improve’ its reputation after the authority went through a bruising few months.

Jane Murphy officially took over from John Cotton on Thursday following his resignation.

Mrs Murphy told councillors that she was keen to find ways of providing the ‘right’ housing in the district – which would support public services by attracting the ‘very best staff’.

She also said the council needed to ‘improve key working relationships’ with other councils.

She said: “I think it’s important to acknowledge we don’t live in isolation as a council – I’d like to improve our key working relationships with surrounding districts, Oxfordshire County Council and others, as there are a number of very important projects we have to work with them on.

“These include securing [Housing Infrastructure Fund] funding to support the infrastructure needed to deliver Didcot Garden Town.”

The Conservative-led council needs to pass its Local Plan by April 1, 2019, under the terms of the £215m Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal but could run the risk of failing to reach it.

In particular it needs to decide if the controversial Chalgrove Airfield site forms part of the plan, which outlines where the council wants to build homes over the next 15 years.

Last month Mrs Murphy said Mr Cotton’s recommendation to include Chalgrove Airfield in the plan with no reserve was ‘simply reckless and an unnecessary risk’. The move had been backed by his cabinet but rejected by councillors.

Mrs Murphy’s cabinet will now need to decide the next course of action – whether a reserve is chosen or the airfield is rejected entirely – at a meeting on May 10.

The authority will then be asked to back whatever decision is made at a council meeting on May 15.

Mrs Murphy becomes the second council leader to be appointed in 2018. Susan Brown was appointed as Oxford City Council leader in January.

A third will be elected next month when Matt Barber steps down as Vale of White Horse Council leader.

Mrs Murphy and Mr Barber’s replacement will have a close working relationship as their authorities share staff.