A new Leader of Cheshire East Council will be elected this week to replace the outgoing Councillor Michael Jones who announced his resignation on December 8th 2015.
Two candidates have put themselves forward to succeed Michael Jones and as a result Cheshire East Council will have its first female leader.
The Cheshire East Conservative Group will meet on Thursday evening (14th January) to select either Cllr Rachel Bailey (Audlem Ward and Children and Families Portfolio Holder) or Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury Ward and Adults, Health and Leisure Portfolio Holder) as their new leader.
The one with the most votes will then take over as Leader of Cheshire East Council at the next full council meeting on Thursday 25th February.
Deputy Leader Cllr David Brown had previously been announced as a candidate but he stood down today. In an email sent to their Chief Whip Sam Gardner, and then distributed to the 53 Conservative councillors eligable to vote on Thursday, he confirmed that he was withdrawing his nomination for Leader of the Conservative Group.
Cllr Brown wrote "I believe that my staying on as Deputy Leader will provide continuity and stability while the Group moves forward.
"I believe that my responsibilities both internally and externally are strategically very important for us to deliver our election promises. Infrastructure is key; road, rail, and digital inclusion are key projects to deliver for the residents of Cheshire East."
He added "The new Leader will have my full support."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
We do not want a return to the days when officers ran the council.
"A new Leader of Cheshire East Council will be elected this week".
What is actually happening is what is said later in the article, which is
"The Cheshire East Conservative Group will meet on Thursday evening (14th January) to select .......... as their new leader.
This person will then be nominated as the new leader of Cheshire east Council at the next meeting of the full council in February. The full council will then vote on that nomination. As the Conservative Group have a majority of members on the council its is fair to say that whoever wins the nomination as leader of the Conservative Group, will most likely then be elected as Leader of Cheshire East Council.
But that isn't what the opening lines states..