New leader voted on for council

By timesecholife on in All News, Latest News, Leek news

A new leader of a district council has been voted in – after the former was voted out by fellow councillors. Last week’s Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Annual Meeting of the Full Council saw a motion put forward to “remove the current leader of the council (councillor Sybil Ralphs) from post.”

A new leader of a district council has been voted in – after the former was voted out by fellow councillors.

Last week’s Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Annual Meeting of the Full Council saw a motion put forward to “remove the current leader of the council (councillor Sybil Ralphs) from post.”

After some comments were made by a number of councillors in support of keeping cllr Ralphs as leader, it went to a named vote whereby the majority voted for the motion to be passed.

Then a second motion was put forward to “elect Paul Roberts, the Conservative Group Leader, as leader of the council.”

This motion was then challenged by a councillor putting forward for an amendment for cllr Ralphs to be voted as leader (once again).

Another named vote then took place whereby each councillor on the district council voted for either cllr Ralphs and cllr Roberts. A majority voted for cllr Roberts which made him leader of the council.

After 15 years of Ralphs’ leadership, this marks a change for SMDC.

Since the council meeting, cllr Roberts has already announced u-turns on some of cllr Ralphs’ previous decisions.

These changes include returning Leek’s outdoor Wednesday market stalls to Sparrow Park and Derby Street, as well as allowing the use of the Trestle Market for Scooterfest.

After the meeting, cllr Roberts, who was elected to represent Caverswall ward in 2003, said: “I am extremely pleased to be formally confirmed as leader by the Full Council, and am looking forward to making positive change for the people of the Staffordshire Moorlands.

“My very first job as leader will be to immediately engage with the organisers of Scooterfest to arrange use of Leek’s Trestle Market for their upcoming event.

“In addition, having listened to residents views, I will also be reviewing capital spending projects such as the trestle market refurbishment and the car park strategy.”

He added: “Having already met with market traders to discuss their views on the market and its future, I have already agreed that the market will move back on to Derby Street from Wednesday (May 11), along with the reopening of the car park on Market Square to hopefully drive footfall.”

Cllr Roberts added that he is “keen to hear from residents about what they’d like to see happen across the Staffordshire Moorlands” and is inviting people to make suggestions direct to him via email at paul.roberts@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk.

The Times & Echo contacted the Jesters Club, organisers of the Scooterfest, regarding the u-turn on the council’s decision for the group to use the Trestle Market for their large scale event on May 22.

Club member Steph Knott said: “Thanks must go to our new council leader Paul Roberts, Matt Swindlehurst, and all the other councillors/local people that have given us tremendous support.

“Hopefully we can now see a council with the good people of Leek at the forefront.”

 

Revised Cabinet

SINCE being voted in as the new leader of SMDC, cllr Roberts has outlined who is on his cabinet team and what portfolios they are responsible for.

Some have remained as before, and there are others who have been put onto the Cabinet.

Cllr Paul Roberts. District Ward: Caverswall. Leader and responsible for Planning and the Corporate Plan.

Cllr Mark Deaville. District Ward: Checkley. Deputy Leader and responsible for Sports and Leisure (both as before).

Cllr Ross Ward. District Ward: Werrington. Responsible for Communities and Procurement.

Cllr James Aberley. District Ward: Churnet. Responsible for Customer Services, ICT, Parking and Assets.

Cllr Mike Worthington. District Ward: Cheddleton. Responsible for Finance.

Cllr Sav Scalise. District Ward: Cheddleton. Responsible for Environment (as before) and Waste Collection.

Cllr Keith Flunder. District Ward: Forsbrook. Responsible for Tourism, Arts and Culture and Regeneration.

Cllr Joe Porter. District Ward: Brown Edge & Endon. Responsible for Climate Change and Biodiversity (as before).

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