Elmbridge Borough Council now has a Lib Dem leader in charge of the authority – and some locals may recognise his name from Kingston. A full meeting of the borough council, the first since one third of councillors were up for election on May 5, chose Councillor Bruce McDonald as the authority’s new leader.
Cllr McDonald was the chief executive at Kingston council from 2000 until 2015 and was elected as an Elmbridge councillor in 2021. The council will continue to be run as a coalition between the Liberal Democrats and Residents’ Association councillors, though with the Lib Dems now the largest party.
The previous leader, Cllr Chris Sadler (The Walton Society, Walton Central) announced he was stepping down ahead of the votes being counted on May 5. Cllr Simon Waugh (Esher Residents’ Association, Esher) will be the council’s deputy leader, following a year as Mayor of the council.
READ MORE: Liberal Democrats celebrate ‘huge day’ in Elmbridge as they become largest party on council
He seconded the motion to elect Cllr McDonald as leader, which was proposed by a fellow Claygate representative, Cllr Mike Rollings. Cllr Rollings said the former Kingston chief executive brought a “lifetime’s experience of council work to the role”.
The full cabinet and responsibilities on the borough council was announced as follows:
- Leader / policy and transformation: Cllr Bruce McDonald
- Deputy leader / leisure, culture and commercial strategy: Cllr Simon Waugh
- Climate change and sustainability: Cllr David Young (Esher Residents’ Association, Esher )
- Community care: Cllr Gill Coates (Thames Ditton & Weston Green Residents’ Association, Hinchley Wood and Weston Green)
- Environmental services: Cllr Ashley Tilling ( Lib Dem, Weybridge Riverside)
- Finance and resources: Cllr Mike Rollings (Lib Dem, Claygate)
- Housing: Cllr Alex Batchelor (Thames Ditton & Weston Green Residents’ Association, Thames Ditton)
- Planning, enterprise and local economy: Cllr Robin Stephens (Lib Dem, Cobham and Downside)
In a joint statement released after the meeting, Cllr McDonald and Cllr Waugh said: “We and our colleagues are committed to continuing our partnership in administration. We have a shared vision for Elmbridge, are proud of what we have achieved so far and are conscious that we have much more still to do.”
Councillor Richard Williams (Esher Residents’ Association, Esher) was elected as Mayor for the coming year, with Councillor Charu Sood as Deputy Mayor. Councillor Andrew Burley (Conservative, Oxshott and Stoke D’Abernon), seconding the motion for Cllr Williams to be Mayor, said he expected he would have a “tough year” ahead of him.
Cllr Burley said: “Keeping this rabble in control, shepherding the herd is going to be a challenge but I know that you’re up to it.” The Mayor’s role is of representing the council at formal and ceremonial events, chairs council meetings and is the “first citizen of the borough”.
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