At Wiltshire Council’s annual meeting, Richard Clewer has been confirmed as the new leader of Wiltshire Council and has appointed his cabinet.

Cllr Clewer, who represents Downton and Ebble Valley, has sat on the council since its inception in 2009 and until recently was the deputy leader under councillor Philip Whitehead, as well as the cabinet member for housing, communities, climate change, arts, heritage, tourism and corporate services.

His deputy over the next four years will be Bromham, Rowde and Roundway councillor Laura Mayes who in the previous administration held the cabinet role for children, education and skills.

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The new local authority leader said: “It is a huge honour to be given this responsibility and I’m privileged to lead Wiltshire Council and represent its residents.

“People can be assured my team and I will work tirelessly to ensure this council delivers for them.”

The new Wiltshire Council cabinet is as follows:

  • Richard Clewer - leader with responsibility for economic development, heritage, arts, tourism and health and wellbeing
  • Laura Mayes - deputy leader with responsibility for children’s services, education and skills
  • Nick Botterill - development control, strategic planning and climate change
  • Pauline Church - finance & procurement, commissioning, IT, digital and commercialisation
  • Mark McClelland - transport, waste, street scene and flooding
  • Jane Davies - adult social care, SEND, transition and inclusion
  • Phil Alford - housing, strategic assets and asset transfer
  • Ian Blair-Pilling - leisure, libraries, governance, facilities management and operational assets
  • Simon Jacobs - public health, public protection, licensing, staffing, communities and area boards

The council leader continued: “I’ve picked a talented team of people as my Cabinet and Portfolio Holders and we’re all looking forward to working with the council’s leadership team and officers to help achieve our collective vision.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us to help Wiltshire recover following Covid-19 and its undoubted impact going forward, but we will support residents and businesses to thrive so that Wiltshire continues to provide opportunities and be a place that people want to live, work, and visit.

“As well as the recovery work, the climate emergency will rightly continue to be at the heart of our decision making.”

Full interview with the new Wiltshire Council leader to follow.