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Summary

The annual meeting of Wiltshire Council saw Councillor Laura Mayes elected as the new chairman, and Councillor Ruth Hopkinson elected as vice-chairman. Councillor Ian Thorne was appointed leader of the council for 2025-2029, and he announced his cabinet. Councillors also voted to delegate decisions on committee appointments to a later meeting, and to authorise work to establish a new financial scrutiny committee.

Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

Councillor Bridget Wayman, outgoing chairman of Wiltshire Council, oversaw the election of the new chairman. Councillor Najar nominated Councillor Laura Mayes for the position, seconded by Councillor Davies. Councillor Hubbard nominated Councillor Hopkinson, seconded by Councillor Thorne.

Following a secret ballot, there was a tie. Councillor Wayman used her casting vote to elect Councillor Laura Mayes as the new chairman of Wiltshire Council.

Councillor Sheppard nominated Councillor Christopher Newbury for the position of vice chairman, seconded by Councillor Threlfall. Councillor Hubbard nominated Councillor Thorne, seconded by Councillor Thorne. Following a secret ballot, Councillor Ruth Hopkinson was elected Vice Chair of Wiltshire Council.

Appointment of Leader of the Council

Councillor Ian Thorne was elected leader of the council with 50 votes, against 45 votes for Councillor Richard Clure, and two abstentions.

Councillor Thorne thanked Councillor Clure for his work over the past four years, and spoke about the need for the council to work across the chamber to deliver for the people of Wiltshire. He also reassured council officers of his support.

Councillor Thorne then introduced his cabinet:

  • Councillor Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement, and Corporate Services
  • Councillor Gordon King, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care
  • Councillor Gavin Grant, Cabinet Member for Finance
  • Councillor Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, and Housing
  • Councillor John Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education, and Skills
  • Councillor Helen Belcher OBE, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Assets
  • Councillor Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste
  • Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding
  • Councillor Claire Cape, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Co-ordination with the NHS

Appointment of Members to Committees

The council voted to delegate the appointment of members to committees to the monitoring officer in consultation with group leaders, with final appointments to be confirmed at the July meeting if an agreement cannot be reached beforehand. This was moved by Councillor Thorne and seconded by an unnamed Councillor.

Public Participation

Chris Caswell asked about trust in politics and politicians, and ways to make Wiltshire Council procedures more engaging. Councillor Thorne responded that politicians should say what they are going to do and then do it, and that the council needs to do more to encourage greater voter turnout. He also said that his door would always be open to anyone with thoughts and ideas.

Andrew Nicholson, Chair of Wiltshire Climate Alliance, asked about climate change legal responsibilities and area board environment leads. Councillor Sample responded that his door was open and that he was committed to the achievements of the goals which have been set down. He also urged all councillors to attend the climate and environment summit on the 20th and 21st of June.

New Overview and Scrutiny Committee Structure

The council voted to authorise the Director of Legal and Governance to make arrangements for a new overview and scrutiny committee structure, including a dedicated Finance and Procurement Select Committee. This was moved by Councillor Graham Wright and seconded by an unnamed Councillor. The final structure will be approved by full council on 22 July.

Councillor Wright explained that the new committee would provide more comprehensive and robust scrutiny of finance and procurement. Councillor Thorne welcomed the proposal, saying that the performance of councils, particularly their financial performance, tends to relate very directly to the amount of overview and governance that takes place. Councillor Grant paid tribute to Councillor Pip Ridout, saying that she could be an absolute pain when she had a bee in her bonnet over a matter, and that she and he were absolutely in lockstep over the need to create this committee.

Councillor Whitehead sought clarification on what the council was voting on, and what the new committee would be able to investigate. Perry Holmes, Director of Legal and Governance, responded that the proposal was to appoint a new committee and for him to carry out the necessary work to amend the constitution to reflect that, including a terms of reference. He also said that he was happy to share that terms of reference before it's agreed with all group leaders.

Annual Updates from Committees

The council noted the annual updates from committees. Andrew Nicholson made a public statement, addressing it to all the new members of the council. He said that the council's population is not mainly rural anymore, and that most of their problems and concerns are urban ones. He also said that councillors are benchmarked annually by an NGO called Climate Emergency UK. Councillor Sample responded by urging all councillors to attend the climate and environment summit.

Councillor Hubbard reminded all the existing members that are here today that if you didn't realise it already, you're now parents. And you're now parents for about 400 young people. I forget the exact number, but 400 young people who are in the care of this council. And part of being a counsellor is that you are a corporate parent. And you carry the responsibility for the care and wellbeing of every child who is looked after by this authority.

Election Results

The council received and noted the election results on the 1st of May 2025 as set out in the summons. Councillor Wayman expressed her formal thanks to the returning officer, Lucy Townsend, as well as all the officers, volunteers, and candidates.

Councillor Hubbard stated that he was acutely aware he represents some seven parishes, three of whom failed to be quarate when they came to the elections. He asked if the officers responsible could look very carefully at the arrangements that are made in respect, in particular, of smaller parish councils who do not have very professional clerks and meet, not necessarily every month, to ensure that their papers to nominate them can be collected more easily.

Attendees

Profile image for Cllr Phil Alford
Cllr Phil Alford  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Keith Allen
Cllr Keith Allen  Reform UK
Profile image for Cllr Liz Alstrom
Cllr Liz Alstrom  Portfolio Holder for Arts and Culture •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Jon Atkey
Cllr Jon Atkey  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Nick Baker
Cllr Nick Baker  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Lainey Barker
Cllr Lainey Barker  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Boaz Barry
Cllr Boaz Barry  Reform UK
Profile image for Cllr Denise Bates
Cllr Denise Bates  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Alan Bayliss
Cllr Alan Bayliss  Portfolio Holder for Waste •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Helen Belcher OBE
Cllr Helen Belcher OBE  Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Assets •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Chuck Berry
Cllr Chuck Berry  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Sam Blackwell
Cllr Sam Blackwell  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Matt Bragg
Cllr Matt Bragg  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Clare Cape
Cllr Clare Cape  Cabinet Member for Public Health and Co-ordination with the NHS •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Trevor Carbin
Cllr Trevor Carbin  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Phil Chamberlain
Cllr Phil Chamberlain  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Pauline Church
Cllr Pauline Church  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Ernie Clark
Cllr Ernie Clark  Independent Group Leader •  Independent
Profile image for Cllr Kym-Marie Cleasby
Cllr Kym-Marie Cleasby  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Richard Clewer
Cllr Richard Clewer  Conservative Group Leader •  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Zoë Clewer
Cllr Zoë Clewer  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Gregory Cooper
Cllr Gregory Cooper  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Kevin Daley
Cllr Kevin Daley  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Brian Dalton
Cllr Brian Dalton  Portfolio Holder for Housing •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Jane Davies
Cllr Jane Davies  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Andrew Davis
Cllr Andrew Davis  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Martin Denz
Cllr Martin Denz  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Nick Dye
Cllr Nick Dye  Portfolio Holder for Flooding and Water Quality •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Adrian Foster
Cllr Adrian Foster  Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, and Housing •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Gavin Grant
Cllr Gavin Grant  Cabinet Member for Finance •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Howard Greenman
Cllr Howard Greenman  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Andrew Griffin
Cllr Andrew Griffin  Portfolio Holder for Safety Valve •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Alan Hagger
Cllr Alan Hagger  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Russell Hawker
Cllr Russell Hawker  Independent
Profile image for Cllr Ross Henning
Cllr Ross Henning  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Sven Hocking
Cllr Sven Hocking  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Nick Holder
Cllr Nick Holder  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Ruth Hopkinson
Cllr Ruth Hopkinson  Vice-Chairman of the Council •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Maria Hoult
Cllr Maria Hoult  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Jon Hubbard
Cllr Jon Hubbard  Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education, and Skills •  Independent
Profile image for Cllr Mel Jacob
Cllr Mel Jacob  Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement, and Corporate Services •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr George Jeans
Cllr George Jeans  Independent
Profile image for Cllr Gordon King
Cllr Gordon King  Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Lianna Konig
Cllr Lianna Konig  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Jerry Kunkler
Cllr Jerry Kunkler  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Jacqui Lay
Cllr Jacqui Lay  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Kathryn MacDermid
Cllr Kathryn MacDermid  Portfolio Holder for Communities and Area Boards •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Andrew Matthews
Cllr Andrew Matthews  Armed Forces Champion •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Laura Mayes
Cllr Laura Mayes  Chairman of the Council •  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Dominic Muns
Cllr Dominic Muns  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Gerry Murray
Cllr Gerry Murray  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Dr Nick Murry
Cllr Dr Nick Murry  Independent
Profile image for Cllr Nabil Najjar
Cllr Nabil Najjar  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Paul Oatway QPM
Cllr Paul Oatway QPM  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Ashley O'Neill
Cllr Ashley O'Neill  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Eunja Palmén
Cllr Eunja Palmén  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Stewart Palmén
Cllr Stewart Palmén  Portfolio Holder for Schools •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Bill Parks
Cllr Bill Parks  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney
Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney  Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding and Young People •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Mike Phillips
Cllr Mike Phillips  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Barry Pirie
Cllr Barry Pirie  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Tamara Reay
Cllr Tamara Reay  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Ben Reed
Cllr Ben Reed  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Ed Rimmer
Cllr Ed Rimmer  Reform UK Group Leader •  Reform UK
Profile image for Cllr Rich Rogers
Cllr Rich Rogers  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Ricky Rogers
Cllr Ricky Rogers  Salisbury Independent and Labour Group Leader •  Labour
Profile image for Cllr Paul Sample JP
Cllr Paul Sample JP  Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Mike Sankey
Cllr Mike Sankey  Reform UK
Profile image for Cllr James Sheppard
Cllr James Sheppard  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr George Simmonds
Cllr George Simmonds  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Martin Smith
Cllr Martin Smith  Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Charlie Stokes
Cllr Charlie Stokes  Portfolio Holder for SEND •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Chris Taylor
Cllr Chris Taylor  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Ian Thorn
Cllr Ian Thorn  Leader of the Council •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Jo Trigg
Cllr Jo Trigg  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Julie Vine
Cllr Julie Vine  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Eric Wakeman
Cllr Eric Wakeman  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Bridget Wayman
Cllr Bridget Wayman  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr John Wells
Cllr John Wells  Independent
Profile image for Cllr Jennie Westbrook
Cllr Jennie Westbrook  Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Stuart Wheeler
Cllr Stuart Wheeler  Conservative
Profile image for Cllr Nigel White
Cllr Nigel White  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Peter Wragg
Cllr Peter Wragg  Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Tourism •  Liberal Democrats
Profile image for Cllr Graham Wright
Cllr Graham Wright  Independent
Profile image for Cllr Taylor Wright
Cllr Taylor Wright  Portfolio Holder for Highways •  Liberal Democrats

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

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