All change at new-look council

One of the first actions of the new counci was to set up a working group to look at how the council organises its work.

Committee chairman and vice chairman were appointed. Cllr Ian Potter is chairman of Policy, with newcomer Cllr Mike Eve becoming vice chairman; Cllr Adam Smith, another new councillor, will chair Planning, taking over from Cllr Frank Palmer who did not stand for re-election, Nigel Jennings is vice chairman.

Cllr Mary Smith continues in her role as chairman of Public Services, which is the only committee on the council which has representatives from outside bodies, such as schools and community groups, sitting on it.

A proposal from Cllr Potter to merge the committees into one failed to gain support.