The 2026 Cherwell District Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day, to elect 16 of 48 members of Cherwell District Council in Oxfordshire, England.
Prior to the election, the council was under no overall control, being run by a minority coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and independent councillors, led by Liberal Democrat councillor David Hingley. Following the election, the council remained under no overall control, and the Liberal Democrats and Greens between them had over half the council's seats. David Hingley resigned as leader a few days after the election. At the subsequent annual council meeting on 20 May 2026, Liberal Democrat councillor Lesley McLean was appointed the new leader of the council, heading a Liberal Democrat and Green coalition.
Summary
Background In 2024, the council remained under no overall control.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 17 17 11 12 13 11 4 4 3 4 Changes 2024–2026: March 2025: Matt Hodgson (Labour), Andrew McHugh (Conservative) and Sean Woodcock (Labour) resign – by-elections held May 2025 May 2025: Henry Elugwu (Labour) and Zoe McLernon (Conservative) win by-elections; Fiaz Ahmed (Conservative) gains by-election from Labour Donna Ford (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent September 2025: Chukwudi Okeke (Labour) joins Conservatives
Election result
Incumbents
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Adderbury, Bloxham & Bodicote David Hingley Liberal Democrats Yes Banbury Calthorpe & Easington Ian Harwood Conservative Yes Banbury Cross & Neithrop Chukwudi Okeke Conservative Yes Banbury Grimsbury & Hightown Rebecca Biegel Labour Yes Banbury Hardwick Andrew Crichton Labour Yes Banbury Ruscote Amanda Watkins Labour No Bicester East Donna Ford Independent Yes Bicester North & Caversfield Nicholas Mawer Conservative Yes Bicester South & Ambrosden Chris Pruden Liberal Democrats Yes Bicester West John Broad Independent No Cropredy, Sibfords & Wroxton Phil Chapman Conservative No Deddington Edward Reeves Conservative Yes Fringford & Heyfords Barry Wood Conservative No Kidlington East Fiona Mawson Green Yes Kidlington West Jean Conway Liberal Democrats Yes Launton & Otmoor Gemma Coton Liberal Democrats No
Ward results
Adderbury, Bloxham & Bodicote
Banbury Calthorpe & Easington
Banbury Cross & Neithrop
Banbury Grimsbury & Hightown
Banbury Hardwick
Banbury Ruscote
Bicester East
Bicester North & Caversfield
Bicester South & Ambrosden
Bicester West
Cropredy, Sibfords & Wroxton
Deddington
Fringford & Heyfords
Kidlington East
Kidlington West
Launton & Otmoor
By-elections
Kidlington West
References