Council Elects New Chairman

Published on 16 May 2008

Councillor John Knapman was elected Chairman of Epping Forest District Council by his fellow Members at the Annual Meeting held on 15 May 2008. Councillor Penny Smith was elected Vice-Chairman.

Councillor Knapman received the support of colleagues across the Political groups. He has previously held senior executive roles as Leader and Portfolio Holder for finance. Returned at the recent local elections held on 1 May 2008 by the voters of Chigwell, he has held his seat for the Chigwell Village Ward since 1998.

Click here to view webcast of the Full Council meeting

Councillor Knapman succeeds outgoing Chairman, Councillor Caroline Pond who received thanks and many warm accolades for her year of office.

New Cabinet

Councillor Mrs Diana Collins was re-affirmed as Leader of Epping Forest District Council. She will lead an enlarged Cabinet of nine Portfolio Holders. New faces on the Cabinet are Councillor Richard Bassett from Nazeing who picks up the Civil Engineering and Maintenance Portfolio, and Councillor Heather Harding from Sheering who takes over responsibility for Leisure and Young People.

The full Cabinet is:
• Leader
  - Councillor Mrs Diana Collins
• Deputy Leader and Finance and Performance Management
  - Councillor Chris Whitbread
• Civil Engineering and Maintenance
  - Councillor Richard Bassett
• Community Wellbeing
  - Councillor Ms Syd Stavrou
• Corporate Support Services and I.C.T.
  - Councillor Mitch Cohen
• Environment
  - Councillor Mrs Mary Sartin
• Housing
  - Councillor David Stallan
• Leisure and Young People
  - Councillor Mrs Heather Harding
• Planning and Economic Development
  - Councillor Mrs Anne Grigg

Scrutiny and Main Committees

Councillor Richard Morgan was re-elected as Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny while Councillor Brian Sandler was re-affirmed as Chairman of District Development Control. Councillor Pat Brooks is the new Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

Returning Councillors offered thanks and best wishes to a number of former members who retired or lost their seats at the last election. Particularly warm tributes were made to Doug Kelly, former member for Fyfield and Chairman of the Council. In a break with tradition Members welcomed ex-Councillor Kelly to address them one more time before receiving a rousing ovation.

Click here to view tibutes to Doug Kelly webcast

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