A coalition led by Independents has taken power at Tendring District Council – and Brightlingsea councillor Mick Barry has secured a place in the authority’s cabinet.
Mr Barry now becomes portfolio for leisure and public realm, a role that will draw on his experience as a trustee of Brightlingsea Lido, a director of Brightlingsea Free Music Festival and a campaigner against the closure of Brightlingsea Sports Centre.
“It’s a big job,” Cllr Barry told Brightlingsea Info, “but I’m looking forward to maintaining and enhancing facilities for all the people of Tendring.”
Cllr Barry has represented Brightlingsea as an Independent on the district council for several years was mayor of Brightlingsea untll this month and remains a member of Brightlingsea Town Council.
The annual meeting also saw Brightlingsea’s other district councillors, Jayne Chapman and Graham Steady elected to head Tendring Council committees.
Cllr Chapman now heads the human resources and council tax committee, and will also sit on the planning policy and local plan committee.
Cllr Steady was elected to chair the community leadership overview and scrutiny committee and will also be a member of the resources and services overview and scrutiny committee.
“The experience and ability of Brightlingsea’s councillors has been recognised,” said Cllr Barry.
After years of Conservative rule, the district council is now under the control of a coalition led by Independent councillors, with the support of Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
At a the council’s annual meeting last night (May 23), Clacton councillor and leader of Tendring Independents Mark Stephenson was elected as council leader for the next four years, with Alresford Lib Dem Gary Scott voted in as chairman.
Cllr Stephenson appointed Harwich Labour councillor Ivan Henderson as his deputy leader, and unveiled the new cabinet as:
- Mark Stephenson, Leader, and portfolio for Finance and Governance
- Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader, and portfolio for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism
- Andy Baker, portfolio holder for Housing and Planning
- Mick Barry, portfolio holder for Leisure and Public Realm
- Gina Placey, portfolio holder for Partnerships
- Peter Kotz, portfolio holder for Assets
- Mike Bush, portfolio holder for Environment
