Reform UK took control of the county council in the local elections held on 1 May and now have 42 seats out of a total of 64 seats on the council.
At the AGM on Wednesday 21 May the new Leader of the county council was confirmed as Councillor Alan Graves, who represents the Aston Division, and the new Deputy Leader will be Councillor Robert Reaney, who represents the Sutton Division.
At the meeting, the new Cabinet was announced and confirmed.
The Cabinet will be:
Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership – Councillor Alan Graves
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration – Councillor Robert Reaney
Potholes, Highways and Transport – Councillor Charlotte Hill
Council Efficiency (DOGE) – Councillor John Lawson
Adult Care – Councillor Joss Barnes
Children and Families – Councillor Sam Redfern
SEND and Education – Councillor Jack Bradley
SEND and Education Cabinet Support – Councillor Charlotte Gates
Business Services – Councillor Stephen Reed
Health and Communities – Councillor Dawn Abbott
Net Zero and Environment – Councillor Carol Wood
Councillor Nick Adams has been appointed as the Council and Civic Chairman. The Vice Chair will be Councillor Jodie Brown.
Councillor Adams was presented with his chain by outgoing Civic Chairman Tony Kemp, and Councillor Brown received her chain from outgoing Vice Civic Chairman Kewal Singh Athwal.
Following his confirmation as council Leader Councillor Graves said:
“What happened at the local elections on 1 May marks a significant historic event for Derbyshire, and the country as a whole. Never before has Derbyshire seen such wholesale changes to the political landscape.
“I am rightly proud to hold the title of Leader of Derbyshire County Council, proud for my family, proud for my party and proud for my county.
“My councillors are ready to serve all the people of Derbyshire and we have hit the ground running.
“Apart from the usual council business that has to be attended to on a daily basis, we will be focusing on the overall efficiency of the council. I am blessed with a very life-experienced group and over time we will open the council up to a new way of working and doing things.
“Every single one of our councillors has real-life experience covering senior management through to frontline teaching, and I will utilise all of that experience to make the council operate better for the people of Derbyshire.”
