The Leader and Deputy Leader
The Leader has overall political control of the council and appoints the other members of the Cabinet. The Deputy Leader assists the Leader with these duties. The Leader is elected for a 4-year term by the council at the first meeting following an election.
- The Leader of the council is Councillor Jay Mercer
- The Deputy Leader of the council is Councillor Sam Raby
The Chair and Vice-Chair
The Chair and Vice-Chair of the county council are appointed annually by the full council at a public meeting.
- The Chair of the county council is Councillor Donna Johnson who is the apolitical guardian of the interests of all members of the county council and its processes, as well as being its principal non-political representative.
- The Vice-Chair is Councillor Nigel Dennis who assists the Chair.
Read more about the role of the Chair (PDF, 72KB)
Cabinet members
These are senior members of the council who hold specific responsibilities for different policy areas. Each is a member of the Cabinet and has a portfolio of work for which they are responsible. Cabinet members are appointed by the Leader, and are:
- Adults' Services - Councillor Richard Bates
- Children, Young People and Learning (Lead Member for Children) and Deputy Leader - Councillor Sam Raby
- Community Support, Fire and Rescue - Councillor Tracie Bangert
- Economy and Skills - Councillor Caroline Ward
- Environment and Climate Change - Councillor Natasha Davie
- Finance and Property - Councillor Jane Davey
- Highways and Transport - Councillor Erika Woodhurst-Trueman
- Public Health and Wellbeing - Councillor Ian Davey
- Support Services and Local Government Reorganisation - Councillor Nicholas Russell
Other Political Group Leaders and Deputy Leaders
- The Conservative Group Leader is Councillor Paul Marshall
- The Conservative Group Deputy Leader is Councillor Deborah Urquhart
- The Green Group Leader is Councillor Ian Davey
- The Green Group Deputy Leader is Councillor Victoria Finnegan
- The Labour Group Leader is Councillor Martin McCabe
- The Labour Group Deputy Leader is Councillor Henna Chowdhury
- The Reform Group Leader is Councillor Tim Charters
- The Reform Group Deputy Leader is Councillor James Tidy