View source for Cherwell (district)

{{other uses|Cherwell (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See {{Infobox settlement}} for the full list of available fields -->
<!-- Elements common to United Kingdom -->| timezone           = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset         = 0
| timezone_DST       = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +1

<!-- Elements common to administrative division of this type (English two-tier district) -->| settlement_type    = [[Non-metropolitan district]]
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Constituent country]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Regions of England|Region]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Non-metropolitan county]]
| subdivision_type4  = Status
| subdivision_type5  = Admin HQ
| subdivision_name   = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[England]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[Non-metropolitan district]]
| coordinates        = {{coord |51.95|-1.25|type:adm3rd_region:GB|display=title,inline}}
| government_type    = Non-metropolitan district council
| leader_title       = Leadership
| leader_title1      = [[List of MPs elected in the 2024 United Kingdom general election|MPs]]
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| population_density_km2 = auto
| blank1_name        = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
| blank2_name        = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|OS grid reference]]

<!-- Elements unique to this article -->| name               = Cherwell
| other_name         = Cherwell District
| image_skyline      = Banbury Cross - 6.jpg
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = The [[Banbury Cross|cross]] in [[Banbury]], the district's administrative centre
| image_shield       = Cherwell Achievement.png
| shield_size        = 
| shield_alt         = 
| shield_link        = 
| image_map          = Cherwell UK locator map.svg
| mapsize            = 150px
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Cherwell shown within Oxfordshire
| subdivision_name2  = [[South East England]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Oxfordshire]]
| subdivision_name5  = [[Bodicote]]
| established_date1  = 1 April 1974
| governing_body     = Cherwell District Council
| leader_party       = {{English district control|GSS=E07000177}}
| leader_name        = [[Local Government Act 2000|Leader & Cabinet]]
| leader_name1       = {{ubl|[[Sean Woodcock]]<!-- Banbury constituency -->|[[Calum Miller]]<!-- Bicester and Woodstock constituency -->}}
| area_total_km2     = 588.8
| area_rank          = {{English district area rank|GSS=E07000177}} [[List of English districts by area|(of {{English district total}})]]
| population_total   = {{English district population|GSS=E07000177}}
| population_as_of   = {{English statistics year}}
| population_rank    = {{English district rank|GSS=E07000177}} [[List of English districts by population|(of {{English district total}})]]
 <!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| demographics_type1      = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000177|title=Cherwell Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1    = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1     =
 {{Collapsible list
 | 88.1% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
 | 6% [[British Asians|Asian]]
 | 2.9% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
 | 1.8% [[Black British people|Black]]
 | 1.3% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
 }}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2      = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1    = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1     = 
 {{Collapsible list
 | 50.3% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
 | 38.1% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
 | 6.1% not stated
 | 3.2% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
 | 0.8% [[Hinduism in England|Hinduism]]
 | 0.6% [[Buddhism in England|Buddhism]]
 | 0.5% [[Religion in England|other]]
 | 0.4% [[Sikhism in England|Sikhism]]
 | 0.1% [[History of the Jews in England|Judaism]]
 }} 
| blank1_info        = 38UB (ONS)<br />E07000177 (GSS)
| blank2_info        = {{gbmappingsmall|SP5153928258}}
}}
'''Cherwell''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|ɑːr|w|ɛ|l}} {{respell|CHAR|wel}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|ɜːr|w|ɛ|l}} {{respell|CHUR|wel}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/articles/2009/06/24/cherwell.shtml|title=How do you pronounce Cherwell?|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Ann Spokes Symonds|author-link1=Ann Spokes Symonds|author2=Nigel Morgan|year=2010|title=The Origins of Oxford Street Names|isbn=978-1-899536-99-3|page=36}}</ref> is a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] in northern [[Oxfordshire]], [[England]]. The district was created in 1974 and takes its name from the [[River Cherwell]], which drains south through the region to flow into the [[River Thames]] at [[Oxford]]. Towns in Cherwell include [[Banbury]], where the council is based, and [[Bicester]]. [[Kidlington]] is a contender for [[largest village in England]].

==History==
Cherwell district was created on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], covering the area of four former districts, which were all abolished at the same time:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref>
*[[Banbury]] [[Municipal Borough]]
*[[Banbury Rural District]]
*[[Bicester]] [[Urban district (England and Wales)|Urban District]]
*[[Ploughley Rural District]]

The new district was named Cherwell after the main river in the area.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref>

==Geography==
The northern half of the Cherwell district consists mainly of gently rolling hills going down towards the [[River Cherwell]], but the southern half of the district around [[Bicester]] is much flatter. The north-west of the district lies at the northern extremity of the Cotswolds.

==Governance==
{{Infobox legislature
| name               = Cherwell District Council
| logo_pic           = 
| logo_res           = 
| house_type         = Non-metropolitan district council
| body               = 
| houses             =
| leader1_type       = [[Chairperson|Chair]]
| leader1            = Dorothy Walker
| party1             = <br>[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]]
| election1          = 21 May 2025<ref>{{cite news |title=New chair announced at first annual council meeting at Cherwell District Council's new Castle Quay HQ |url=https://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/politics/council/new-chair-announced-at-first-annual-council-meeting-at-cherwell-district-councils-new-castle-quay-hq-5144043 |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Banbury Guardian |date=23 May 2025}}</ref>
| leader2_type       = [[Leader of the council|Leader]]
| leader2            = David Hingley
| party2             = <br>[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]]
| election2          = 22 May 2024
| leader3_type       = [[Chief Executive]]
| leader3            = Gordon Stewart
| party3             = <!-- Non political role-->
| election3          = 2024<ref>{{cite news |title=New Chief Executive confirmed |url=https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/news/article/1088/new-chief-executive-confirmed |access-date=18 March 2024 |date=13 December 2023}}</ref>
| members            = 48 councillors
| structure1         =File:Cherwell District Council Composition 2024.svg
| structure1_res     = 250
| political_groups1  =
;Administration (22)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] (17)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}}|border=darkgray}} [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] (4)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (1)
;Other parties (26)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] (12)
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (11)}}
: {{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (3)
| last_election1     = [[2024 Cherwell District Council election|2 May 2024]]
| next_election1     = 7 May 2026
| session_room       = File:Castle Quay shopping centre in Banbury - geograph.org.uk - 1391487.jpg
| session_res        =
| meeting_place      = 39 Castle Quay, [[Banbury]], OX16{{nbsp}}5FD
| website            = {{URL|http://www.cherwell.gov.uk/}}
}}

Oxfordshire has a two-tier structure of local government, with the five district councils (including Cherwell District Council) providing district-level services, and [[Oxfordshire County Council]] providing county-level services.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref>

===Political control===
The council has been under [[no overall control]] since the [[2023 Cherwell District Council election|2023 election]]. Prior to that election, the Conservatives had held a majority of the seats on the council since 2000. Following the [[2024 Cherwell District Council election|2024 election]] a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and one independent councillor would take charge of the council as a minority administration,<ref name=Nimmo/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24341938.cherwell-district-council-now-run-liberal-democrat-green-set-up/|title=Cherwell District Council now run by Liberal Democrat and Green set-up|date=23 May 2024|access-date=23 May 2024|first1=Liam|last1=Rice|publisher=[[Oxford Mail]]}}</ref> ending a 24-year period of the Conservatives being in charge of the council.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://banburyfm.com/news/liberal-democrats-take-charge-at-cherwell-district-council/|title=Liberal Democrats take charge at Cherwell District Council|date=23 May 2024|access-date=23 May 2024|publisher=Banbury FM Newsteam}}</ref>

The first election to the district council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Cherwell" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref name=change>{{cite news| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/08/html/38ub.stm | title = Cherwell | access-date = 2009-10-19 | work = [[BBC News Online]] | date=2008-04-19}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1974–1976
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1976–1995
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1995–1996
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1996–1998
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1998–2000
|- 
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2000–2023
|-
|{{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2023–present 
|}

===Leadership===
The [[leader of the council|leaders of the council]] since 2001 have been:
{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| George Reynolds<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 3 September 2001 |url=http://modgov.cherwell.gov.uk/Data/Council/20010903/Minutes/$03%2009%2001.doc.pdf |website=Cherwell District Council |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|3 Sep 2001 || align=right|Jun 2004
|-
| rowspan=2|Barry Wood<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 23 June 2004 |url=http://modgov.cherwell.gov.uk/Data/Council/20040623/Minutes/$minutes%2023%2006%2004.doc.pdf |website=Cherwell District Council |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref>{{efn|Following the Conservatives losing control of the council in the 2023 elections Barry Wood was removed from office at the council's annual meeting on 17 May 2023. Since the council could not agree on a replacement leader the meeting was then adjourned until 23 May 2023,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Starr |first1=Claire |last2=Gilyeat |first2=Dave |title=Cherwell stalemate as district council fails to secure new leader |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-65632232 |access-date=18 May 2023 |work=BBC News |date=18 May 2023}}</ref> but no alternative leader who could command a majority had emerged by then either so Barry Wood was reinstated as leader.<ref>{{cite news |title=Conservatives to lead Cherwell District Council after impasse broken |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-65690620 |access-date=23 May 2023 |work=BBC News |date=23 May 2023}}</ref>}} || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|23 Jun 2004 || align=right|17 May 2023
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|23 May 2023 || align=right| 22 May 2024
|-
| David Hingley<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 22 May 2024 |url=http://modgov.cherwell.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=114&MId=3808 |website=Cherwell District Council |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref><ref name=Nimmo>{{cite news |last1=Nimmo |first1=Bethan |title=First new council leader for two decade announced |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c800pdjyvyro |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=BBC News |date=23 May 2024}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=right|22 May 2024 || align=right| 
|-
|}

===Composition===
Following the 2024 election,<ref>{{cite news|title=Cherwell result Local Elections 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/england/councils/E07000177|website=BBC News |access-date=3 May 2024 |date=3 May 2024}}</ref> and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to May 2025, the composition of the council was:<ref name=Thorncliffe>{{cite web |title=Cherwell |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=cherwell |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan=2|Party !! Councillors
|-
| {{party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|17
|-
| {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=center|12
|-
| {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=center|11
|-
| {{party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} || align=center|4
|-
| {{party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=center|4
|-
! colspan=2|Total !! 48
|}

One of the independent councillors sits with the Green Party as the 'Green and Independent Alliance' group, which forms the council's administration with the Liberal Democrats. Another independent sits with the Conservatives as the 'Conservative and Independent Alliance', and the other two independents sit together as the 'Independent Group'.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your councillor by political grouping |url=https://modgov.cherwell.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=GROUPING&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Cherwell District Council |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>

The next election is due in May 2026.<ref name=Thorncliffe/>

===Premises===
The council is based at 39 Castle Quay in Banbury, the district's largest town. The council's premises comprise some converted former shop units within a shopping centre. The council moved into Castle Quay in 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manuschka |first1=Jacob |title=Cherwell District Council moves to new Banbury headquarters |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25062555.cherwell-district-council-moves-new-banbury-headquarters/ |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Oxford Mail |date=4 April 2025}}</ref>

[[File:New Bodicote House.jpg|thumb|Bodicote House, White Post Road, Bodicote: Council's headquarters 1974–2025]]
Prior to 2025, the council was based at Bodicote House in [[Bodicote]], a village immediately to the south of Banbury. Bodicote House is a large eighteenth century house, which had served as the headquarters of the old Banbury Rural District Council from 1952. Large modern extensions were added to the original house.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1248703|desc=Bodicote House, High Street, Bodicote|grade=II|access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Banbury Rural District Council: Removal of Council Offices |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=Banbury Guardian |date=27 November 1952 |page=4 |quote=...all departments of the Banbury Rural District Council (at present accommodated at 8 Horse Fair, Banbury, and at Castle Wharf, Banbury) will be transferred as from Monday the 1st December 1952 to Bodicote House...}}</ref> In 2023 the council announced plans to move its headquarters into the Castle Quay shopping centre in Banbury and sell the Bodicote House site.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bodicote House set to be demolished and replaced with housing |url=https://banburyfm.com/news/bodicote-house-set-to-be-demolished-and-replaced-with-housing/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=Banbury FM |date=2 February 2024}}</ref> The move, to 39 Castle Quay, took place on 31 March 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/news/article/1198/council-announces-office-move-date |title=Council announces office move date |date=18 March 2025 |access-date=9 April 2025 }}</ref>

==Elections==
{{main|Cherwell District Council elections}}
Since 2016 the council has comprised 48 [[councillor]]s elected from 16 [[wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]], with each ward electing three councillors. Elections to the council are held in three out of every four years, with one third of the council being chosen at each election. Elections to Oxfordshire County Council are held in the fourth year of the cycle when there are no district council elections.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Cherwell (Electoral Changes) Order 2015|year=2015|number=1872|access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref>

==Arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|notes = Granted 21 March 2016
|escutcheon = Vert a Pale wavy Or thereon a Pale wavy Azure all between two Pallets Argent on each a Pallet Azure.
|crest = On a Wreath Or and Vert in front of a Rainbow proper an Oak Tree eradicated Sable leaved Vert and fructed Or, Mantled Vert and Azure lined Or and Argent.
|motto = From Cherwell Flows Prosperity <ref>{{cite web|url=http://civicheraldry.co.uk/south_central.html |title=Civic Heraldry of England |publisher=Robert Young |access-date=12 March 2019}}</ref>}}

==Transport==
[[File:Bicester Village - geograph.org.uk - 1828514.jpg|thumb|[[Bicester]], the second-largest settlement in the district]]
Much of the district is within easy reach of the M40, with junctions 9, 10 and 11 in the district. It also has good rail links with [[London]], [[Birmingham]], [[Oxford]] and the South.

==Media==
In terms of television, the area is served by [[BBC South]] and [[ITV Meridian]] broadcasting from the [[Oxford transmitting station|Oxford]] transmitter. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Oxford | title=Full Freeview on the Oxford (Oxfordshire, England) transmitter| date=May 2004 }}</ref> However, [[Banbury]] can also receive [[BBC West Midlands]] and [[ITV Central]] from the local relay transmitter which is transmitted via the [[Sutton Coldfield transmitting station|Sutton Coldfield]] transmitter. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Bretch_Hill | title=Freeview Light on the Bretch Hill (Oxfordshire, England) transmitter| date=May 2004 }}</ref>

Radio stations for the area are [[BBC Radio Oxford]], [[Heart South]], [[Capital Mid-Counties]] and [[Greatest Hits Radio]].

Local newspapers are ''[[Banbury Guardian]]'' and ''Bicester Advertiser''. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-se/bicester-advertiser/ | title=Bicester Advertiser &#124; British Newspapers Online | date=14 December 2013 }}</ref>

==Settlements in Cherwell district ==
[[File:Cherwell population pyramid.svg|thumb|Cherwell population pyramid]]
[[File:Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin (1), Church Street, Kidlington - geograph.org.uk - 2708201.jpg|thumb|[[Kidlington]], the third-largest settlement in the district and one of the largest villages in England]]

*[[Adderbury]], [[Ambrosden]], [[Ardley, Oxfordshire|Ardley]], [[Arncott]]
*[[Banbury]], [[Barford St. John]], [[Barford St. Michael]], [[Begbroke]], [[Bicester]]
*[[Blackthorn, Oxfordshire|Blackthorn]]
*[[Bletchingdon]], [[Bloxham]], [[Bodicote]]
*[[Broughton, Oxfordshire|Broughton]]
*[[Bucknell, Oxfordshire|Bucknell]], [[Burdrop]]
*[[Charlton-on-Otmoor]], [[Claydon, Oxfordshire|Claydon]], [[Cottisford]], [[Cropredy]]
*[[Deddington]], [[Drayton, Cherwell|Drayton]], [[Duns Tew]]
*[[Epwell]]
*[[Fencott]], [[Finmere]], [[Fringford]], [[Fritwell]]
*[[Godington]], [[Gosford, Oxfordshire|Gosford]], [[Great Bourton]]
*[[Hampton Poyle]], [[Hanwell, Oxfordshire|Hanwell]], [[Hardwick, Cherwell|Hardwick]], [[Hethe]]
*[[Hook Norton]], [[Horley, Oxfordshire|Horley]]
*[[Islip, Oxfordshire|Islip]]
*[[Juniper Hill]] 
*[[Kidlington]], [[Kirtlington]]
*[[Launton]], [[Little Bourton]], [[Lower Heyford]]
*[[Merton, Oxfordshire|Merton]], [[Middle Aston]], [[Middleton Stoney]]
*[[Milcombe]], [[Milton, Cherwell|Milton]], [[Mixbury]], [[Mollington, Oxfordshire|Mollington]], [[Murcott, Oxfordshire|Murcott]]
*[[Noke, Oxfordshire|Noke]], [[North Aston]], [[North Newington]]
*[[Oddington, Oxfordshire|Oddington]]
*[[Prescote]]
*[[Shenington]], [[Shipton-on-Cherwell]], [[Shutford]]
*[[Sibford Ferris]], [[Sibford Gower]], [[Somerton, Oxfordshire|Somerton]]
*[[Souldern]], [[South Newington]], [[Steeple Aston]], [[Stoke Lyne]], [[Swalcliffe]]
*[[Tadmarton]], [[Thrupp, Oxfordshire|Thrupp]]
*[[Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire|Upper Heyford]]
*[[Wardington]], [[Water Eaton, Oxfordshire|Water Eaton]], [[Weston-on-the-Green]], [[Wroxton]]
*[[Yarnton]]

==See also==
* [[History of Banbury, Oxfordshire]]

== Notes and references ==
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Oxfordshire}}
{{SE England}}

[[Category:Cherwell District| ]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Oxfordshire]]