Published: Tuesday 31st May 2022 | 1.05pm
Members of Cannock Chase Council have made appointments to key roles at their Annual Council Meeting held on 25 May at the Civic Centre in Cannock. They follow the recent District Council Elections held on 5 May.
Entering her second year as Leader of the Council is Councillor Olivia Lyons. She was both re-elected as a councillor for Western Springs Ward in Rugeley and as Leader of the Conservative Group. The Group managed to increase its majority on the Council from eight seats to nine seats.
Councillor Martyn Buttery, who represents Heath Hayes East and Wimblebury Ward, was elected as Chairman for the new civic year by his fellow Members. Elected Vice Chairman is Councillor Phil Jones who represents Cannock North Ward.
Details were also announced of the new Cabinet which will be led by Councillor Lyons. The Cabinet members are:
• Councillor Olivia Lyons, Leader of the Council
• Councillor Bryan Jones, Deputy Leader of the Council and Community Safety and Partnerships Portfolio Leader
• Councillor Val Jones, Health, Wellbeing and Community Engagement Portfolio Leader
• Councillor Mike Sutherland, District and High Street Development Portfolio Leader
• Councillor Justin Johnson, Environment and Climate Change Portfolio Leader
• Councillor Adrienne Fitzgerald, Housing, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Leader
• Councillor Robert Hughes, Innovation and Resources Portfolio Leader
Outgoing Chairman, Councillor Doug Smith, presented a cheque for £1000 to his chosen charity, Stafford Riding for the Disabled Group (RDA). It was received by Fiona Round, Chairman of the RDA branch. She was joined by Richard Brumby, who is deaf and blind and has Asperger’s Syndrome and is an inspirational rider with the Group, his mother Mrs Brumby and his carer Ben.
There was also a presentation made by the Chairman to Bethany Butler, aged 16, who received the Council’s Annual Youth Endeavour Award 2022. Bethany was nominated for the award by her teacher Ms Bird from Hednesford Valley High School, for her outstanding contribution to her school community and those people less able than herself.
At an Extraordinary Council Meeting held before the Annual Council Meeting, Members agreed to nominate Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman status on former councillors George Adamson, Hyra Sutton, Frank Allen, Muriel Davies, and Christine Martin for their dedicated service to the Council and the District’s residents.
Speaking at the Annual Council Meeting, Leader of the Council, Councillor Olivia Lyons said:
“It’s an honour to accept the Leader position for the second time and the greatest honour to serve our residents. I am proud that my Group’s mandate has been strengthened after the election and thank all those who voted.
“We are here to represent everyone, however they voted, and we are determined to bring a brighter future to all, building on from the successes of our £1.2 million investment in Rugeley Leisure Centre, launching the Cannock Chase Can health and wellbeing app, securing millions of pounds through our successful Levelling Up bid, working to put Cannock Chase truly on the map through the Commonwealth Games, breathing life into all our high streets, repairing our bridges and boardwalks, and creating a pipeline of future projects.
“I particularly welcome all the new Members to the Council and would like to praise Council staff for their dedication and hard work over the past year. Collectively, our aim is to improve the lives of each and every resident we serve.”
The new Chairman, Councillor Martyn Buttery said: “I thank all the Members for electing me and I am looking very much forward to the year ahead. I am delighted to announce that my chosen charities during my term of office will be Heath Hayes Community Table and Help A Squaddie.”
Notes:
1. Cannock Chase Council has 41 Members who represent 15 Wards in the District. Following the District Council Elections on 5 May, the new political composition of the Council is Conservatives 25, Labour 8, Chase Community Independents 3, Liberal Democrats 2, Green 2, Independent 1.
2. Biography of Councillor Martyn Buttery, Chairman of Cannock Chase Council for 2022/23
Councillor Martyn Buttery was elected to Cannock Chase Council in 2014 and has served eight years as a District Councillor. His time as a councillor has included two terms on the Shadow Cabinet and the past 12 months as Vice Chairman of the Council. He is a former member of the armed forces and in March this year was appointed as the Council’s Armed Forces Champion to help facilitate support to individuals connected to the armed forces, by helping to unblock any issues they may have around housing or employment or signposting them to any support that is required.
Photograph:
The new Chairman of Cannock Chase Council, Councillor Martyn Buttery