LIBERAL Democrats have taken the two most senior roles at South Oxfordshire District Council.

Sue Cooper is now the council’s leader with David Turner is its deputy leader and cabinet member for finance.

Green councillor Sue Roberts will provide support for Mrs Cooper and ‘climate and ecological crisis response’.

Mrs Cooper was reelected to the council in June 2018 following a by-election in her Benson ward.

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She will now take up the council's position on the Oxfordshire Growth Board – and will become its chairwoman.

Vale of White Horse District Council had been expected to lead the Growth Board but the latter's Conservative members decided to hand it back to South Oxfordshire over worries the new chairperson would have been too inexperienced.

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Mrs Cooper will be totally new to the Growth Board.

South Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet is made up of nine councillors, with six of those Lib Dems and three Greens. Just two – Mrs Cooper and Mr Turner – were members of the council in April.