Councillor Lucy Stephenson has been elected as the new Leader of Rutland County Council following the resignation of Councillor Oliver Hemsley from the position on the 9th of May 2022.

Oliver Hemsley previously left the Conservative Group on the 5th of May 2022.

Cllr Hemsley said: "We have here to serve Rutland and not to fight for leadership. As such I am stepping down as leader effective immediately. I will remain a County Councillor."

18 Councillors voted in favour of Cllr Lucy Stephenson taking on the role, with 5 voting against and 2 abstaining. No alternative candidate was nominated.

Cllr Stephenson nominated what she called a "Rainbow" cabinet, meaning that members of varied political parties will sit with and support Cllr Stephenson.

The Councillors sitting on the cabinet will be:

• Marc Oxley (Independent and Green Group)
• Rosemary Powell (Independent and Green Group)
• Karen Payne (Conservative)
• David Wilby (Conservative)

One seat on Cabinet remains unallocated. Specific portfolio responsibilities for each Cabinet member will be confirmed later this week. 

Annual Council also appointed members to six committees of Rutland County Council, before electing a chairperson for each one:

• Cllr Alan Walters (Independent and Green) Chair of Audit Risk Committee Chair
• Cllr Andrew Brown (Independent Green) Chair of Conduct Committee
• Cllr Lucy Stephenson (Conservative) Chair of Constitution Commission
• Cllr Gale Waller (Liberal Democrat) Chair of Employment and Appeals Committee
• Cllr Edward Baines (Conservative) Chair of Planning and Licensing
• Cllr Gale Waller (Liberal Democrat) Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee 

Cllr Lucy Stephenson said: "It's a massive honour and a privilege to lead the council for the last 10 months before the next round of elections. We have serious work to do for residents, we have plans to deliver, and of course the budget to rectify. Crucially, to do well with that we need unity, which is where I am hoping that having our Rainbow cabinet will be of benefit."

Cllr Nick Begy remains the Vice-Chair after a vote which saw 19 Councillors vote in favour, 2 against, with 4 abstentions.

This was also the first Council meeting for the newly elected Uppingham Ward holder, Stephen Lambert.

All of this comes before the next local vote, which will be a referendum concerning the Oakham and Barleythorpe Neighbourhood Plan on the 26th of May 2022.

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