Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers elected as new Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council
Unanimous vote follows four years of leadership by Cllr David Rouane
Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers has been elected as the new Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council following a unanimous vote by councillors at yesterday’s meeting (11th December 2025).
She takes over from Cllr David Rouane, who has stepped down as Leader after leading the council for four years. Rouane had previously served as Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment for two and a half years. He will remain in his role as councillor.
Filipova-Rivers, who represents the Goring ward, has been a district councillor since 2019 and Deputy Leader with responsibility for Housing and Communities at South Oxfordshire District Council.
Since May 2025, she has also served as a county councillor in Oxfordshire, working in areas such as housing, homelessness prevention, public health, and community resilience.
Leadership transition
Paying tribute to her predecessor, Filipova-Rivers praised Cllr Rouane’s dedication as Leader:
“David has served South Oxfordshire with dedication and vision – first as Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, and then as Leader for the past four years.
“Amongst many achievements, he has notably overseen the return of the council as a Registered Provider of social housing for the first time since the housing stock was sold off in 1997. On behalf of the council and community, thank you, David, for your commitment and hard work."
Filipova-Rivers’ plans as Leader
In her first remarks as Leader, Filipova-Rivers outlined a commitment to providing clarity during what she described as a challenging time for residents and local government.
“We all know times are tough. Many people are facing the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis, unaffordable housing, long waits for services, and a growing sense of hopelessness,” she said.
“As Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, my commitment is simple: to provide the strategic clarity our Council needs to navigate this period of profound change, while holding firm to our vision of a proactive council. We cannot promise that the world will become easier overnight, but we can promise to meet the challenges ahead with competence and compassion.”
Her plans include safeguarding essential services, advancing the council’s Joint Local Plan, and ensuring structural reforms don’t negatively impact those relying on Council services, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis.
Other leadership announcement
At the same meeting, Adrianna Partridge was confirmed as the councils’ new shared Chief Executive for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils. She will formally begin her role on 1st January 2026.
Cllr Filipova-Rivers concluded her remarks with an open invitation to councillors, council officers, and residents to collaborate on making progress over the coming months.