A DISTRICT council has unveiled its new leader.

At a full council meeting this afternoon, councillor Michele Mead was announced as the next leader of West Oxfordshire District Council.

She takes over from councillor James Mills, who had held the position for five years.

In August, he announced he was stepping down from the role to move to Bristol with his wife, who will be training for ordination at the city’s Trinity College.

See also: Lidl set to open in Oxfordshire town

Ms Mead was previously cabinet member for health and leisure, and has held the district council seat for Carterton south since 2018.

She said: “It is a great honour to be voted in as leader and I would like to thank my predecessor, councillor Mills, for his leadership and dedication to the residents and businesses of West Oxfordshire for the past five years.

“Under my leadership we will keep developing a strong economy, tackle climate change, promote health and fitness through our leisure centres and continue our efforts to provide affordable homes.”

At the meeting, Ms Mead unveiled her cabinet would include new additions Suzi Coul as her replacement for health and leisure, and Merilyn Davies for communities and housing.

Until last week, Ms Mead was the mayor of Carterton, a position she held for 18 months.