Political Makeup

Local elections for the new council took place in May 2008. There are 67 elected councillors: 25 Liberal Democrat, 19 Conservative and Independent, 17 Labour and six independent councillors, including one Liberal Democrat who is not affiliated to the main group. The Liberal Democrats have formed the current administration, although no single party has overall control. There were no elections in May 2010 as the authority was exempt because of the reorganisation 12 months ago, the next elections will be in 2013.

The Leader, Deputy Leader and eight portfolio holders of the council's executive:

Jeff Reid - Leader

Roger Styring - Deputy Leader

Alan Thompson - Executive Member for Public Protection

Simon Reed - Executive Member for Adult Care and Wellbeing

Jim Smith - Executive Member for Customer Relations and Culture

Alan Armstrong - Executive Member for Highways and Transport

Andrew Tebbutt - Executive Member for Corporate resources

Ian Lindley - Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services

Lesley Rickerby - Executive Member for Children and Young People

Arthur Pegg - Secretary to the Executive