New chairman and vice chair of council have 'challenge' on their hands, leader says
The new figureheads of a council will have a ‘significant’ challenge on their hands with ‘great change’ on the horizon, a leader has said.
Coun Neil Jones (Conservative – Sibsey & Stickney) has been elected as chairman of East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) for the next year – and takes over from Coun Terry Taylor (Conservative – Halton Holegate).
Coun Jill Makinson-Sanders (Independent – Louth St Marys) has been elected as vice chair of the council for the ensuing year.
They were given their roles at an ELDC Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 20.
ELDC leader Craig Leyland (Conservative – Woodhall Spa) welcomed them into their new ceremonial roles and said they would have a ‘significant challenge’ ahead of them – with the authority set to be scrapped and replaced with a new council as part of a major change known as LGR (Local Government Reorganisation).
He described the current moment as a ‘critical time’ and added: “You’ll be potentially the last chairman of this council – which is a significant role, taking our staff, our officers, our residents, with this great change and it needs to be done with care and dedication and I’m sure you’ll do that.”
Coun Jones said he was grateful to be elected as chairman of the council for the coming year.
He added: “It’s an honour to take on this role and I appreciate the trust that you’ve shown me.
“I look forward to working with you all in the next year and continue to build on the success we’ve had with good spirit and positivity. I’ll do my best in this role.”
Coun Leyland also congratulated Coun Makinson-Sanders on her appointment as vice chair of the council.
He added: “We know that Jill is a very keen and dedicated ward councillor, involved in many local good causes and, again, has the interests of her residents and businesses at heart.
“We don’t always agree, but the delivery of the argument is always well-intentioned and well-made, and as soon as you walk out of this chamber, we have a coffee and we have a chat and that’s the nature of what the job needs to be.”
The role of chairman is a ceremonial one and has no direct decision-making responsibilities.
It involves presiding over full council meetings, acting as a non-political ambassador for the community and upholding the council’s constitution.