The new Liberal Democrat administration at Cotswold District Council have announced their new leadership team at the authority.

The local elections on May 2nd saw the Lib Dems storm to victory across the Cotswolds ejecting the Conservatives from power for the first time in 16 years. It is the first time the Liberal Democrats have run the authority.

Cllr Joe Harris (St Michaels Ward) was elected as Leader of the Council whilst Cllr Mike Evemy (Siddington & Cerney Rural Ward) has been appointed as Deputy Leader. They will be supported in their work by seven other cabinet members.

The cabinet and their portfolios are as follows:

Joe Harris (St Michaels Ward) – Leader 

Mike Evemy (Siddington & Cerney Rural Ward) – Deputy Leader and Finance

Rachel Coxcoon (Moreton East Ward) – Planning Policy, Climate Change and Energy

Clive Webster (Moreton West Ward) – Development Management, Landscape and Heritage

Andrew Doherty (Fairford North Ward) – Waste, Flooding and Environmental Health

Tony Dale (Northleach Ward) – Economic Development, Skills and Young People

Jenny Forde (Chedworth & Churn Valley Ward) – Health, Wellbeing, and Public Safety

Mark Harris (Abbey Ward) – Car Parks and Town and Parish Councils 

Lisa Spivey (The Ampneys and Hampton Ward) – Housing and Homelessness 

Cllr Nigel Robbins has been elected by fellow Councillors as the Chair of Council with Cllr Dilys Neill as his Deputy and Lib Dem Councillors filled a number of committee Chairs.

Nigel Robbins (The Beeches Ward) – Chair of Council

Dilys Neill – (Stow Ward) – Vice Chair of Council

Juliet Layton (South Cerney Village Ward) – Chair of Planning and Licensing Committee

Ray Brassington (Four Acres Ward)- Vice Chair of Planning and Licensing Committee

Patrick Coleman – (Stratton Ward) Chair of Audit Committee

Councillor Joe Harris said: “I’m honoured to have been elected as the first Lib Dem Leader of Cotswold District Council and I hope to be proactive, approachable and drive positive change at the authority, I will lead by example.

“The Lib Dems have got a comprehensive plan for the Cotswolds and I’ve got a fantastic team around me to help deliver it. Our area faces huge challenges over the next few years and we must ensure that we turn these challenges into opportunities not problems.”

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