The Mayor of Witney is elected after a majority vote of councillors annually at the beginning of May at the Town Council’s Annual Meeting. The Mayor is the Chairman of the Council, is entitled to attend all meetings in an ex officio capacity and presides over the Full Council meetings. They are the elected representative of the Council who leads civic engagements and attends public events in Witney. Historically, the Mayor is bestowed the honorary title of first citizen of the town and is also an Honorary Rotarian during their year.
The Mayor of Witney for 2024-25 is Councillor Owen Collins (re-elected for a further year)
I’m honoured, grateful and dead chuffed to have been elected Mayor of Witney for 2023-24, especially to follow in the footsteps of Liz Duncan, who has been such a terrific ambassador for our town over the last year.
I have spent the vast majority of my life in Witney, going to school at Our Lady of Lourdes and Henry Box, and am greatly looking forward to representing my hometown as Mayor. I feel deeply rooted in our town, having grown up within the warp and weft of Witney – playing for its hockey and football clubs, performing on stage at the Corn Exchange as part of its dramatic groups, campaigning as part of such grassroots causes as Witney Refugee Action Group and Save the Rock Barn, and – of course – regularly enjoying its many excellent pubs.
Most of my working life has been spent here too, from Waterstones to West Oxfordshire Community Transport, and I’m excited at the chance to immerse myself even further in the beautiful diversity of our community. As Mayor, I want to represent every single person that calls Witney home – of all ages, all faiths, all backgrounds, abilities and genders. The pandemic and lockdowns gave us a glimpse of the power of a community pulling together, and it’s vital that as a town we continue to celebrate and strengthen that community, and that solidarity, that we are all a part of.
I also have a particular interest in arts and culture, and have spent the last four years chairing the working party that has finally reopened our magnificent Corn Exchange, and I’m keen to keep the ball rolling, and highlight the huge breadth of creativity and imagination throughout Witney.
As possibly Witney’s youngest-ever Mayor (so far…) I’m proud to have this opportunity, and I will be privileged to work with you, represent you and meet you over the coming months.
The Mayor’s Charities
are APCAM and Yellow Submarine
Deputy Mayor
The Deputy Mayor is Councillor Andy Bailey,
Leader of the Council
The Leader of the Council is Councillor Dr Ruth Smith (re-elected for a further year).
Deputy Leader of the Council
The Deputy Leader is Councillor Joy Aitman (re-elected for a further year).
Request the Mayor
To request the Mayor at an event please complete our Booking the Mayor Form or contact the Mayor’s Diary secretary loraine.harwood@witney-tc.gov.uk
Please also contact the Mayor’s Diary Secretary if you would like an editable word version of the booking form by email.
