CONFUSION was caused at this week’s county council meeting after the chairman lost his way.Don Seale, right, who sat in the top seat for the last time before he hands over his chains, could barely contain his excitement about his imminent retirement from civic office.

Mr Seale, who lives in Lechlade, Glos but crosses the border to represent the people of Bampton (eight miles away), tried to expedite things by calling item 12 and then 13 before item 11 had been discussed.

He also drew scorn from the Labour benches after affording one of his Tory colleagues a follow-up question while refusing the same luxury for Labour councillors.

They don’t know what they’re missing in Lechlade.

THE meeting also proved too much for several other councillors. During the proceedings, David Nimmo-Smith was seen ‘meditating’ with his head slumped forward on his chest, and Steve Hayward, right, looked so relaxed he was practically horizontal throughout.

No doubt our esteemed public servants would argue that being a councillor as well as working full-time is jolly hard work, and a dull council meeting provides the only opportunity for a sneaky bit of shut-eye.

The pair were unlucky that for this meeting members of the press were positioned right next to the Tory benches, rather than next to the Liberals, as has become commonplace Maybe they wanted to keep an eye on us....

THE Oxford Mail is used to getting mail from its critics, but it’s been a while since we heard from former Tory overlord Keith Mitchell.

Out of the blue (no pun intended) Mr Mitchell sent one of our reporters a message on Twitter, which read: “lol, funny pic of you” and included a link. Either Mr Mitchell’s account has been hacked, or he’s genuinely discovered a funny picture of a member of Oxford Mail staff.

We believe the former given it is hard to see “lol” is part of his vocabulary.

LMAO!