CHANGE OF COUNCIL LEADERSHIP AT DISTRICT’S CIVIL OFFICES

Immediately following the district council elections last night, the controlling Conservative Group met to elect / re-elect their leadership team for a period of 1 municipal year. This meeting takes place in private and only elected Conservative Councillors on Epping Forest District Council are entitled to vote.

Sitting Leader of Council, Cllr. Di Collins, was proposed and seconded to remain as Leader and the post was contended by Chigwell Village Cllr. Lesley Wagland, the sitting Legal and Estates portfolio holder. Following a vote, Cllr. Mrs. Wagland won the contest with 20 votes to Cllr. Mrs Collins’s 16. Sitting Deputy Leader and Epping Councillor Chris Whitbread, who was proposed to remain in the post withdrew his candidacy following Cllr. Mrs. Collins’s defeat. Theydon Bois Councillor, John Philip, was proposed and elected to the post of Deputy Leader.

Di Collins has worked tirelessly to bring about improvements in Epping Forest and the legacy she will leave behind from her years as Leader will be the fact she has managed to win the battle to protect the district from mass development: housing, Gypsy and traveller pitches, North Weald airfield to name but a few. She has also fought the Government tooth and nail on the huge number of directives which have been issued by Whitehall and the Government Office for the East of England (GoEAST). Di has ensured that the Council is well capitalised and that it is providing the best possible value for money for local residents. It was always Di’s intention to step down as Leader and, indeed as a Councillor I believe, next year, so this opportunity will allow her a well-earned break.

As the new Leader, Lesley brings with her an incredible wealth of knowledge of working with central government departments to get results. She has significant experience in planning law which will prove invaluable to the district council and the many challenges they face from having such wonderful green belt land and the ancient forest which is forever under threat of development. She has a very analytical mind and an attention to detail that will put her in good stead for the mounds of paperwork which will shortly flow her way. I think she will make an excellent Leader and I wish her the very best of luck.