Rutland and Melton MP, Alicia Kearns, has spoken out about the new makeup of Rutland County Council.

Following the Annual Meeting of Rutland County Council last week, Monday 22 May, the party with the largest number of seats chose a new leader from within their own ranks.

Cllr Gale Waller was elected with 15 votes to Cllr Rosemary Powell's 12. Cllr Waller is also leader of the Liberal Democrat and Green Party Group, the dominant group in the council following their success at the polls in early May.

The new deputy leader, Cllr Andrew Johnson, as well as all of the members of the new Cabinet are also from the Liberal Democrat and Green Party Group.

The Cabinet includes:

Cllr Andrew Johnson - Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources

Cllr Paul Browne - Portfolio Holder for Planning and Property

Cllr Diane Ellison - Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health

Cllr Christine Wise - Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and the Environment 

Cllr Raymond Payne - Portfolio Holder for Children's Services 

Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton Mowbray, Alicia Kearns, who had voiced concerns about so many councillors who had never previously been elected, said: "Serving our communities is the priority, and I hope we will see the new Rutland County Council get to work soon.

"Now that the new cabinet has been formed, they need to get on and actually set out their fully costed plans for Rutland."

The first meeting of the new cabinet of Rutland County Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 6 June 2023, with the first meeting of the full council on Monday, 12 June 2023.

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