23 May 2019

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

Conservative Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards was elected as the new Leader of Mid Sussex District Council at a meeting of full Council on Wednesday 22 May 2019, becoming one of the country’s youngest Council Leaders.

The leadership position was vacant after former leader Garry Wall decided not stand for re-election to Mid Sussex District Council.

At the meeting, Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke was appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council.

The following Cabinet Members were confirmed at the meeting:

• Cabinet Member for Community – Councillor Norman Webster
• Cabinet Member for Customer Service – Councillor Ruth de Mierre
• Cabinet Member for Economic Growth – Councillor Stephen Hillier
• Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery – Councillor John Belsey
• Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning – Councillor Andrew MacNaughton

Councillor Colin Trumble was elected as Chairman for the next civic year and Councillor Margaret Belsey was appointed as Vice Chairman.

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said:

“Having lived in Mid Sussex all my life, I am delighted to have been elected to lead the District Council and grateful for the confidence that Councillors have shown in me. I am committed to public service and will work hard to make a positive difference for local residents, our towns and villages.

“The number one priority of my team and I is to deliver on the manifesto commitments we made in the local elections. This includes providing well run local services, protecting and enhancing the environment, supporting the local economy, working with the Government to get the sixth form college open and securing the biggest upgrade in our district’s infrastructure for a generation. We will ensure the Council’s finances are well managed, remembering that every penny spent belongs to the taxpayer.

“Mid Sussex is a fantastic place to live and work and the new Council will do everything it can to continue improving our district”.