Following East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Annual Council Meeting, Councillor Charles Roberts has been named as Leader of the Council, whilst Councillor Anna Bailey has become Deputy Leader.

This change comes after the previous Leader of the Council, James Palmer was elected to become Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, resulting in the vacancy of his seat.

Councillor Charles Roberts, who was Deputy Leader for four years alongside James Palmer, has been acting in place of the Leader since the mayoral election result at the start of May. This includes fulfilling such duties as attending Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority meetings on behalf of East Cambridgeshire District Council.

As a result of the change of leadership, the vacant Deputy Leader role will be fulfilled by Councillor Anna Bailey.

Chief Executive of East Cambridgeshire District Council, John Hill, said: “Following the result of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayor, the role of Leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council automatically became vacant.

“The appointment made by Council members choosing Charles Roberts as Leader and Anna Bailey as Deputy Leader means that the council can continue with business as usual.”

A by-election will be held for the Soham North Ward constituency on Thursday 22^nd June 2017. More information can be found on the East Cambridgeshire District Council website.

The Annual Council Meeting, held on Thursday 25^th May, also appointed the new Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council. Councillor Peter Cresswell, who was previously Vice-Chairman for the 2016/2017 term, takes over from Councillor Michael Allan. Councillor Lis Every has been selected to support Councillor Peter Cresswell as the new Vice-Chairman.