New Leader, Cabinet and Chairman for Cornwall Council
Alec Robertson, the Conservative member for the Helston North electoral division and the Leader of the Conservative group, the largest political group on the Council, has been elected as the new Leader of Cornwall Council.
Proposing Mr Robertson at today’s meeting of the full Council, Jim Currie, the Deputy Leader of the Conservative group, said that the Council needed to get back up to speed and that it was vital that it had a fully inclusive Leader. “I believe that Alec has these qualities ” he said.
He was seconded by Neil Burden, the Leader of the Independent group, who said “The Independent group favoured a total coalition across all political parties. However, as this was not acceptable to the Liberal Democrats, we have entered into a proportional administration with the other two political parties in order to expedite a progressive Cornwall. All our members will have a free vote on all issues.
“We take the responsibilities which have been placed on us extremely seriously and will be working with our colleagues to deliver improved services and support for those who are in the greatest need”.
Thanking his colleagues for their support, Mr Robertson said being elected as the first Leader of the new Cornwall Council was both a great honour and a great responsibility. Adding that he had never sought the position, he pledged to do his best to be a good Leader for the whole Council.
In his first official speech to the Council Mr Robertson said the Conservative group would now be working in partnership with members of the Independent group and Mebyon Kernow, all of whom were committed to achieving three things :
prioritising support and improvement of vital front line services
cutting out wasteful expenditure
complete openness and transparency
“There is a lot to do” he said. “With apologies to Winston Churchill, this is the not the time for “jaw, jaw” but for “war war” – and not amongst ourselves. We have a front line to protect and support, a war on waste to win and a culture of secrecy to defeat”.
“We have an army of first class officers who are as just as committed to doing their best for Cornwall as we all are. It is time to draw a line under the past. We need to work together and prove to the people who put us here that we are up to doing the job they elected us to do”.
The former County Councillor for Breage, Germoe and Crowan, Mr Robertson returned to his home town of Helston three years ago. A former Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, specialising in diving and demolitions, he came back to Cornwall in 1993 as landlord of the Queen’s Arms in Breage and now manages Helston’s Godolphin Club. A keen sportsman who enjoys distance running and watching rugby, he is married to wife Lowenna and has six children.
Following his election as Council Leader Mr Robertson announced he had appointed the following members to the Cabinet.
Leader Alec Robertson (Helston North)
Corporate Support Jim Currie (Feock and Kea )
Economy and Regeneration Carolyn Rule (Mullion )
Children Sally Bain (Fowey )
Stronger Communities Lance Kennedy (Bodmin East )
Adult Care Armand Toms (Looe East)
Highways, Transport and Planning Graeme Hicks (Redruth South)
Housing Mark Kaczmarek (St Day and
Lanner)
Health and Wellbeing Neil Burden (Stokeclimsland )
Waste and Environment Julian German (Roseland)
“This is a new Council and we are all on a learning curve“ said Mr Robertson. “But one thing you can be sure of is that everyone on the Cabinet is committed to giving 100% to their responsibilities. This is a strong team and I am looking forward to working with them all”.
Also at today’s meeting Mrs Pat Harvey, the elected member for St Columb, was elected as the Chairman of the Council.
“I am delighted and privileged to have been elected as Chairman of Cornwall Council” she said. “Being Cornish I am determined that the Council will work together to do the very best for Cornwall. We have a massive ship to turn around and there are some challenging decisions ahead. My aim is for us to become an exemplary Council in 12 to 18 months time. “
The new Vice Chairman of Cornwall Council is John Dyer, the elected member for Chacewater and Kenwyn. Thanking members of the Council for their support Mr Dyer said this was a great honour and privilege and he was looking forward to supporting the new Chairman of the Council.
