IT WAS all change at the Bromsgrove District Council annual meeting on Wednesday night (May 14) when the authority voted in a new leader and civic head.
Coun Margaret Sherrey became the authority’s new leader in almost a decade after Coun Roger Hollingworth announced in March he was stepping down.
Speaking for the first time in her new role, Coun Sherrey said it was good to be taking over and added that she would be a different leader to her predecessor.
Paying tribute to Coun Hollingworth she said: “Roger did a fantastic job and without him we would not be here.
“It’s good to be taking over a council which is on a steady footing.”
And she added: “I’m very proud and very pleased to be where I am.
“I know we have challenges ahead.
“I want to do the best I can for the people of Bromsgrove, I want to be inclusive and take everyone with me.”
She also announced her cabinet members.
As well as being leader, Coun Sherrey will be responsible for community services, partnerships and governance, Coun Kit Taylor is now the deputy leader and responsible for planning services and Coun Del Booth has the portfolio for enabling (excluding finance and governance).
Other roles include Coun Mark Bullivant having the environmental services portfolio, Coun Rita Dent being in charge of the town centre, Regulatory Services and housing and Coun Mike Webb being responsible for leisure services, economic development and emergency plannning.
Former leader, Coun Hollingworth, is now in charge of finance, revenue and benefits until next year, when he steps down as a councillor at the next election.
On her selections, Coun Sherrey said: “I didn’t want to make great changes as I don’t believe in making changes for the sake of it.
“We have stability and when I chose my cabinet, I made sure I matched their attributes with the right roles.”
Coun June Griffiths was re-elected as the council chairman and Coun John Ruck became the new civic head, taking over from Coun Helen Jones.
Coun Ruck was elected to Bromsgrove District Council in 2002, retired in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010.
He has also been a Birmingham City Councillor for All Saints in Winson Green from 1965 to 1972 and was a magistrate in Birmingham for 21 years.
He thanked those who voted him in for their support.
“I hope I can do as well as Helen has done in the last year.”
