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.