Author Archives: Keith R Mitchell CBE

About Keith R Mitchell CBE

Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1967. Pursued a successful career in financial training and publishing until selling his interests in 1990. Elected a County Councillor for the Bloxham Division in 1989. Leader of Oxfordshire County Council 5 November 2001 to 15 May 2012. Chairman of the South East England Regional Planning Committee July 2002 to July 2005. Chairman of the South East England Regional Assembly July 2005 to July 2008. In HM the Queen’s 2007 Birthday Honours, appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of services to local government.

Time for a confession …..

Posted on June 9, 2017

I think it is time for a confession.  I did not vote on Thursday and I ought to explain why.  I moved to Nell Bridge House in Adderbury in February 1984 and got involved in Conservative Party activities almost immediately.  … Continue reading →

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Adderbury says YES

Posted on May 11, 2017

Tonight’s Parish Poll voted YES to including football in any plans for use of the land given to the parish council on the north side of Milton Road.  The non-question posed by opponents to development of the Milton Road land … Continue reading →

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Oxfordshire bucking the trend

Posted on May 6, 2017

Following the news immediately after the local council elections was interesting, in part, to observe the lack of any reference to Oxfordshire.  The headlines were full of “Conservative victory”, “Labour disaster”, “UKIP wipe-out” and “Liberal failure” not to forget Lady … Continue reading →

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Oxfordshire County Council bucked the trend – the wrong way

Posted on May 6, 2017

I have to confess to considerable disappointment that Oxfordshire Conservatives were unable to emulate the Party’s performance elsewhere and failed to gain control of the county council. It remains precisely as hung as it has been for the last four … Continue reading →

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Focus on Adderbury

Posted on April 30, 2017

I knew serving on Adderbury Parish Council was going to be challenging but I am still struggling to come to terms with the sheer nastiness I have witnessed since my election. The latest example is a leaflet being delivered around … Continue reading →

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Something in the water …

Posted on April 11, 2017

After 25 years in local politics, I have seen my share of skulduggery and low cunning although I have seen no evidence of the corruption that members of the media and public like to assume goes hand-in-hand with political debate, particularly … Continue reading →

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Meeting Adderbury’s needs

Posted on March 31, 2017

Walking Coco in Adderbury at lunch time on Tuesday 28 March, a resident called across to me to say “you have two hours of hell tonight”.  He was referring to the Parish Council meeting and it was actually two and … Continue reading →

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