'Out with the old and in with the new': Cllr Adam Brown appointed as leader of West Northants Council

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) officially welcomed its new leader Cllr Adam Brown, at last night's annual general meeting (May 16).

The former deputy stepped up after the recent departure of ex-leader Jonathan Nunn. A protest was held outside the council chamber prior to the meeting over allegations of domestic abuse against Cllr Nunn, which he strenuously denies.

Cllr Brown was chosen to take the top position at a Tory AGM at the end of April. Cllr Matt Golby, cabinet member for adult care, public health and regulatory services, was voted to fill in the position in his wake.

The new West Northants leader has served as a councillor in Northamptonshire since 2016. He most recently held the position as the portfolio holder for housing alongside his capacity as deputy.

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Cllr Goby, who made the proposal to appoint Cllr Brown, said: "I knew Adam when he first became a Northamptonshire County councillor in 2017, which was a very challenging time.

"I and I know others soon appreciated the qualities Adam brought, notably as an excellent and eloquent speaker who makes his case with conviction in a well-reasoned and intelligent style and has since contributed in his various council roles with steady and informed diligence.

"Adam lives in Northampton but represents the rural Bugbrooke ward which I think gives him a good appreciation of the balance of the issues facing the whole of the geography of West Northamptonshire."

The leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Wendy Randall, disregarded the new appointments referencing a lack of action taken to remove the whip from Cllr Nunn and Cllr Golby's involvement in the now-defunct Northamptonshire County Council which collapsed into bankruptcy in 2018.

When asked by Cllr Golby if she had to "drag through all of this" during what should be a celebratory moment for Cllr Brown, Cllr Randall said: "Actually I do. The reputation out there of this council is not good.

"We are elected to serve the people and we've been doing that badly. Look at all the sleaze and scandal that we have to go through.

"Therefore my group will be voting against this decision."

Cllr Brown was ultimately voted in as leader with 48 members of the chamber in favour, 17 against and four abstentions.

He said: "To be elected as leader is an immense privilege and an even greater honour. I will lead an administration that values new ideas and constructive dialogue with others, but never shies away from its Conservative values.

"Becoming leader is only the bang from the starting pistol, the signal that the hard work starts here and only at the finish line will achievement be measured.

"As we turn the page and begin a new chapter it's out with the old and in with the new, looking forwards and upwards to a brighter future, raising our ambitions and ensuring we deliver a legacy that all our children deserve.

"Welcome to phase two of West Northamptonshire Council, welcome to renewed vigour and ambition, welcome to the future."

Lib Dem leader Sally Beardsworth commented that she was "surprised" not to see more changes to the cabinet if the council wanted "a bigger and brighter future".

Only one new member, Cllr Rosie Herring, has been appointed to the cabinet taking Cllr Brown's housing portfolio which he has now left behind.

"I just wish and pray that we had some fresh faces and some new ideas, but maybe they regenerated themselves overnight," Cllr Beardsworth added.

Cllr Brown said he was "sorry to disappoint people with fewer Tory heads on sticks", but that there was value to consistency and allowing cabinet members to see their portfolios through.