DIDCOT needs a new champion following the death of South Oxfordshire District Council leader Ann Ducker, according to civic representatives.

Mrs Ducker represented Goring, but she was cabinet member with special responsibilty for Didcot.

Now civic leaders in Didcot are urging SODC bosses to select a councillor for the role of pushing forward town development.

Town councillor Margaret Davies praised Mrs Ducker’s work on behalf of the town, but said it was crucial that another cabinet member was found for the role at the earliest possible opportunity.

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Mrs Ducker, 71, died on September 22 after a short illness.

Mrs Davies said: “Ann was a good champion for Didcot and worked hard in the town’s best interest.

“You need to have some vision and be proud of Didcot and she genuinely was.

“She was a lady that people of all political persuasions could speak to and she will be missed.”

Part of Mrs Ducker’s role was to stimulate and encourage development and regeneration in Didcot.

Schemes going on in the area include the Didcot gateway site, opposite the revamped Didcot Parkway station, which includes plans for a new hotel next to the Prince of Wales pub in Station Road.

Proposals for phase two of the Orchard shopping centre have been delayed, and Mrs Ducker was in charge of trying to push the scheme forward.

Mrs Davies added: “It is difficult to see that Didcot will have such a good advocate in future, but it desperately needs one at district council level because that is where a lot of the power lies.

“Rural Conservatives are in charge of the district council and they do not necessarily see it as a priority for Didcot to be developed properly.

“Didcot is not just about thousands of new homes – it needs a hotel, green spaces and a sense of community.”

Mrs Davies said: “Recently I worked with Ann on the provision of a new community centre for Great Western Park, off the A4130.

“When I pointed out that the centre wasn’t much bigger than the size of a living room she found another £200,000 so it could be developed properly.

“The appointment needs to be made as soon as possible so that major schemes do not fall into the doldrums.”

Mrs Ducker held the role of overseeing major schemes in the town for about five years and her predecessor was Sandford district councillor John Cotton.

He and Anna Badcock are the two nominations for Conservative group leader.

The group will elect a new leader on October 14, with all councillors electing the council leader on October 16.

Mr Cotton said: “Ann was unique but there are lots of people who care deeply about Didcot and making sure that major schemes do happen.”

South Oxfordshire District Council spokesman Gavin Walton said: “The council will elect a new leader next week and the leader will then decide cabinet responsibilities.”

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