WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has the youngest leader in its history after Coun Simon Geraghty was elected at the full council meeting last Thursday (January 14).
The 39-year-old takes will step down as leader of Worcester City Council so he can focus on his new role at County Hall.
He will also take over responsibility for finance, putting him in control of the council’s £327million budget.
The new leader has got to work by completing his leadership team, with Coun Anthony Blagg as deputy leader and Coun Ken Pollock becoming the Cabinet member for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure, a role Coun Geraghty held for five years until his election as Leader.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to become the new leader of Worcestershire County Council,” he said.
“I have been part of a leadership team that has achieved a great deal in recent years – not just reforming services and balancing the books but setting out a clear plan to take our county forward.”
“This job is undoubtedly one of the toughest leadership roles in the county and comes at a time when local Government is facing renewed financial challenges,” he said.
The new leader has also said he still believes in the plans, put in place by his predecessor, to make the local authority more ‘efficient.’
“However, I firmly believe in the ambitious plans we have to improve our county and deliver services in an even more efficient way.
“Each year we spend more than £300million which, together with the receipt of specific grants, is more than £1million every single day.
“I’m determined that we continue to look at new ways of doing things to deliver even better outcomes for our residents and businesses,” he added.
