VISITING traveller sites and supporting farmers will be among the early duties undertaken by Oxfordshire County Council’s “no-nonsense” new chair. 

Councillor Susanna Pressel (Lab, Jericho & Osney), who served as vice-chair to predecessor Councillor John Howson (Lib Dem, St Margaret’s), will become the county’s civic leader.

It is a politically neutral post with the holder taking charge of meetings of full council as well as promoting the county’s objectives and services as an ambassador.

Attending events and inviting individuals and representatives of organisations to gatherings are among the other duties with Councillor Liz Brighouse OBE (Lab, Churchill & Lye Valley), the deputy leader of the council, certain that Cllr Pressel will prove to be the perfect face and voice of the authority. 

“I know there will be no nonsense,” said Cllr Brighouse.

“I know she will have a focus in mind and that focus will be on getting us through the agenda as quickly and efficiently as possible. She will not allow any dissent and make sure we all work together to get to the end of the day on time.

“She has been chair of our group in the past and we have experienced Susanna’s style.

“Susanna is driven by addressing disadvantage. I spoke to her about what she was going to do first, I know she has already started booking different things she wants to do and I think this says where her heart is and where she will be leading us.

“She is going to visit the travellers’ site, she is going to see some of the most unrepresented people in our county and find out from them what their issues are. 

“The next thing she is going to do is make sure our farmers also feel included because we have had, as you know, quite bad press from farmers and some of their leaders. Susanna will be taking the lead, making sure she knows and understands what the issues are in relation to the farmers of this county.

“Susanna, we love you dearly, we know you have desperately wanted to do this for some time and I am so pleased that you are going to become chair.”

Cllr Pressel graduated from Oxford University’s Somerville College and spent five years in Zambia before becoming a teacher in the county for many years. She has been a city councillor since 1996 and a county councillor since 2009.

She said: “It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be elected as chair, I look forward to visiting every corner of this beautiful and very special county.

“Please invite me to lots of events in your divisions, I know I have a lot to learn and I cannot wait.” 

Councillor Felix Bloomfield (Con, Benson & Cholsey) was voted in as vice-chair.