Tewkesbury Borough Council leaders are re-elected after 'baptism of fire' first year

Carmelo Garcia

16 May 2024 at 8:50 am·1-min read

Tewkesbury Borough Council has re-elected its leader and deputy leader after “surviving a baptism of fire”. Richard Stanley, Liberal Democrat councillor for Cleeve West, said he was very humbled by his re-election at the helm of the authority.

“It was a huge challenge,” he told those present in the council chamber last night (May 15). “Baptism of fire I think is the right word.”

“All members across all groups have shown great kindness and support over the last year so I think each of you. It was a new administration, lots of new challenges and lots of councillors who were new to the borough. I think lots of us were finding our feet over the last year.”

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He said the council has huge ambitions for the next year to serve residents and make the borough “an even better place to live”. Cllr Mary Jordan (LD, Churchdown St John’s) proposed Sarah Hands (LD, Innsworth) to be deputy leader.

“She has survived her baptism by fire,” she said. “She will carry on to do a really good job.” This was seconded by Cllr Mike Sztymiak (I, Tewkesbury North and Twyning) who said he found her a very good listener.

The vast majority of members backed both nominations - there were abstentions among the Conservative group. The Liberal Democrats have led the authority since the elections last year and share power with the Greens and Independents.

The current political make-up of the council is 16 Lib Dems, nine Conservatives, four Greens, seven Independents and two Isbourne and Winchcombe Independents.

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