Councillors Elect New Chairman at ACM

Official duties at Bromsgrove District Council were decided at last night’s (May 14) annual council meeting, with roles given to members of different political groups.

Councillors elected Cllr Sam Evans (Liberal Democrat) as Chairman of the Council, and Cllr Bakul Kumar (Conservative) as Deputy Chairman.

Cllr Sam Evans, who will select a civic charity shortly, said: “It’s a huge privilege and an honour to have been elected as Chairman of Bromsgrove District Council. I look forward to continuing the good work of the previous Chairman, putting Bromsgrove on the map, and giving back to the community that raised me.”

The outgoing chairman Cllr Sam Ammar was thanked for her service, including all her work supporting fundraising for her chosen charity, Age UK.

One change was made to the council’s cabinet with Cllr Steve Colella moving out of the cabinet and Cllr Sue Baxter taking up the portfolio for Finance and Governance, with Council Leader Cllr Karen May adding the portfolio of Economic Development and Regeneration.

The council’s cabinet is made up of four Conservative members including the Leader of the Council, and two Independent Councillors including the Deputy Leader:

• Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Partnerships, Economic Development and Regeneration, Cllr Karen May.
• Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance, Cllr Sue Baxter.
• Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Climate Change, Cllr Bernard McEldowney.
• Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing and Strategic Housing, Cllr Shirley Webb.
• Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services and Community Safety, Cllr Peter Whittaker.
• Portfolio Holder for Planning, Licensing and Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Cllr Kit Taylor.

PICTURED ABOVE

(R-L) Cllr Sam Evans is the new Chairman of Bromsgrove District Council and Cllr Bakul Kumar is Deputy Chairman, following a vote of the council.