All change at Ashfield District Council

Ashfield District Council has a new leader following a vote by councillors at a meeting on Thursday evening (23rd May).
Coun Chris Baron is the new leader of Ashfield District CouncilCoun Chris Baron is the new leader of Ashfield District Council
Coun Chris Baron is the new leader of Ashfield District Council

Hucknall councillor Chris Baron has taken over as leader following the announcement that John Knight was stepping down. John Wilmott will remain as deputy leader.

There are also new faces on the executive board, which is the Labour-controlled council’s decision-making body.

These are Kier Barsby, who is responsible for housing, David Shaw, who is in charge of finance, Andrew Davidson, who will tackle environment, public health and community protection and Coun Warren Nuttall will be responsible for regeneration, community wellbeing and corporate services.

Coun Baron said: “I am extremely pleased to accept the role of leader and to announce the new executive board.

“I am confident in my colleagues and believe this board offers a mix of new blood and fresh ideas alongside well established and experienced councillors that will do their very best for the people of Ashfield.”

At the meeting, Independent councillor Gail Turner nominated Labour’s Cheryl Butler, saying that the nomination had ‘nothing to do with politics’.

Coun Turner said she thought that Coun Butler would have ‘more of a calming influence on this council’.

The motion was seconded by Lib Dem Jason Zadrozny but Coun Butler declined the nomination.

After he formally took office, Coun Baron thanked outgoing leader Coun Knight for his contribution.

Meanwhile, the council has also welcomed Coun Linford Gibbons as its new chairman. He has taken over from Coun Ken Knight, who was thanked for the work he and his wife had done in the community.

Coun Liz Mays was voted in as vice-chairman. This year, the chairman will be supporting Prostate Cancer UK.