Green Party councillors have been appointed to lead Stroud District Council, at the council’s Annual General Meeting, held last night (Thursday May 23) at Ebley Mill, following the recent local elections.
Cllr Catherine Braun was elected to continue as Leader of the Council, with Cllr Pete Kennedy appointed as Deputy Leader.
Cllr Kate Kay becomes Chair of Council, with Cllr Matthew Sargeant taking the role of Vice-Chair of Council.
Cllr Braun said: “The Green Party councillors are committed to working constructively with all councillors, regardless of political party, in the interests of the people of Stroud district. At the local election, we promised that we would work to restore trust in politics, and collaborative working is central to that pledge.
“As Council Leader for the past two years, I’ve found that by working in a cross-party way, we can generally agree with other councillors on the issues that matter, whether that’s investment in new social housing, action for climate and nature, or community initiatives to improve health and wellbeing.”
Cllr Braun added: “I’m delighted to have such a fantastic team of Green councillors to form the new administration, including councillors with great experience of their role, and others who bring fresh ideas for ways to improve services to our communities. Although the Green Group doesn’t have a majority on the council, we are now the largest political group, and by taking an inclusive approach, we commit to providing effective leadership for the district”.
Deputy Leader Cllr Pete Kennedy, who is also the Green Party parliamentary candidate for the Stroud constituency, said: “We are grateful to the tens of thousands of people who put their trust in the Green Party at the local elections, many of whom did so for the first time. We are committed to delivering on our manifesto commitments: warm and affordable homes; a clean and green district; thriving market towns and villages; public services that work; and restoring trust in politics.
Cllr Kennedy added: “We have a proud history of doing things differently in Stroud district. As a minority Green administration, we will provide clear political leadership of the council, while building cross-party consensus wherever possible. I want councillors from all parties to know that they can work with our Green leadership team and contribute fully in committee and council meetings. I believe the more we can all work together, the more we can achieve for the communities we are elected to serve.”
After the council elections on May 2, no party won the 26 councillors required for a majority. Greens won 22 seats, Labour 20, Conservatives 7 and Liberal Democrats 2.
Last night’s council meeting confirmed the membership of council committees and working groups, as well as representatives on outside bodies, such as the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel.
The elected committee chairs and vice-chairs will work closely with committee members and council officers to develop the council’s strategies and oversee service delivery.
The chairs and vice-chairs of committees are as follows:
Community Services & Licensing
Chair: Beki Aldam (Green, Thrupp)
Vice-chair: Marisa Godfrey (Green, The Stanleys)
Development Control
Chair: Martin Baxendale (Green, Stroud Valley)
Vice-chair: Helen Fenton (Green, Chalford)
Environment
Chair: Chloe Turner (Green, Minchinhampton)
Vice-chair: Martin Brown (Green, Bisley)
Housing
Chair: Gary Luff (Green, Painswick & Upton)
Vice-chair: Lucas Schoemaker (Green, Stroud Trinity)
Strategy & Resources
Chair: Catherine Braun (Green, Wotton)
Vice-chair: Pete Kennedy (Green, Painswick & Upton)
Audit & Standards
Chair: Bob Hughes (Labour, Dursley)
Vice-chair: Martin Pearcy (Green, Coaley & Uley)
One committee (Audit and Standards) will be chaired by a Labour councillor, in line with the convention that this role is not held by the administration party.
Pictured: The new SDC Green group outside Ebley Mill on Thursday night.
