Fordham and Isleham district councillor Kelli Pettitt has been elected as the new Chair of East Cambridgeshire District Council.
This is a civic role to uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution and preside over meetings of the council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of councillors and the interests of the community.
She is pictured here (left) receiving the chair’s medallion and a scroll from Cllr Mark Goldsack, who steps down after two years as the chair, but retains his role as Soham North ward councillor.
Cllr Keith Horgan, the district councillor for Soham North ward, was elected as Vice Chair.
The ceremony took place at the council’s Annual Meeting on Thursday (22 May).
Also at the meeting, Cllr Anna Bailey, who represents Downham ward, was confirmed as the Leader of the council.
Cllr Bailey’s role is to have overall responsibility for the development, implementation, monitoring and review of the council’s Vision and Corporate Plan.
Cllr Julia Huffer, the district councillor for Fordham and Isleham ward, was elected as Deputy Leader.
Cllr Lorna Dupré, who represents Sutton ward, was confirmed as the Leader of the Liberal Democrat and Independent Group and Cllr Christine Whelan, who represents Ely West ward, was confirmed as Deputy Leader.
Following the Stretham district by-election on 1 May, which was won by Liberal Democrat, Lee Denney, the political make-up of East Cambridgeshire District Council is as follows:
Conservative Group: 14 members
Liberal Democrat and Independent Group: 14 members
What this means for the council
By law, councillor representation on committees must proportionately represent the political make-up of the council. Where there is equality of votes at council or committees, the casting vote is made by the chair.
A full list of councillors, including the chairs and vice chairs of each committee, is available on our district councillor directory.
