Leadership team appointed at Annual Council

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst will continue as Council Leader and be responsible for the Local Plan as well as leading on Local Government Reorganisation. Cllr Louise Price has become the authority’s new Deputy Leader and will remain as the Lead Member responsible for the council’s finances.

Lead Members are held accountable for their respective portfolios, as well as holding council officers to account and shape work around their individual service or policy area.

• Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE - Leader and Lead Member for the Local Plan
• Cllr Louise Price - Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, Regeneration and Economic Development
• Cllr Paul Rainbow - Lead Member for General Public Services (which covers parking and refuse)
• Cllr Steve Drury - Lead Member for Community Engagement, Public Safety & Housing
• Cllr Chris Lloyd - Lead Member for Leisure
• Cllr Aidan Bentley - Lead Member for Climate Change & Sustainability

The appointment of Lead Members was approved on Tuesday, 19 May.

Cllr Giles-Medhurst said: “I am delighted that I am able to serve the district I love as Leader of the Council for another year. My strong leadership team and I look forward to rolling up our sleeves to deliver first-rate services and exciting projects we have in store. I will continue to engage and listen to the views of other parties, parish councils, and external partners and, where they want to engage, hopefully take on any good ideas for the benefit of all our residents.”

Cllr Price added: “I am honoured to be appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council and continue to lead on the council’s finances. Despite these challenging times, we will continue to make sure that every penny of taxpayers’ money is spent effectively to benefit our residents and district.”