The red flag now flies here

Cllr Caitlin Bisknell with the new exec

Wednesday evening saw the first full council meeting of the new council since the recent elections and as opposed to the results of the last two High Peak Borough Council elections, which saw Labour fall short of the number to take control of the council, this time we had just enough to take minority control of the council.

This mean that for the first time since John Hallsworth was last leader of the council in 2002/3 a Labour councillor would hold the post of Leader of the Council and I was pleased to propose Stone Bench Councillor Caitlin Bisknell to the post, which she was subsequently elected to.

Shortly after that the new executive was announced and I was pleased to be appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Community Services.

Also appointed to the executive were New Mills Councillor Ian Huddleston as Executive Member for Regeneration and Chapel Councillor Tim Norton as Executive Member for Corporate Services.

The other Councillor Mckeown also gained a new role at the full council meeting as Vice Chair of the Development Control Committee.

There will be many challenges over the next few years, as we seek to involve, improve and ensure that the services offered by the council meet the needs of local residents both now and in the future, and I am privileged, proud and looking forward to the particular challenges that come with my new role as Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Community Services, as we seek with your help to be your voice in tough times.