Swindon Borough Council elect new leader as Conservatives lead minority administration
Conservative Councillor Gary Sumner has been elected to lead the authority while Labour Councillor Neil Hopkins has been chosen as the new Mayor of Swindon
Conservative Councillor Gary Sumner has been elected as the new leader of Swindon Borough Council after the party won the most seats in May's local elections.
The decision was made during a vote at this afternoon's (22nd May) Annual Council meeting.
Cllr Sumner will now lead a minority conservative administration after his party decided not to form a coalition with any other parties.
The council is currently in no overall control after Labour lost power in the local elections earlier this month, having previously run the authority since 2023.
Following his election as Council Leader, Cllr Sumner, said: “It’s a privilege to take on the role of Leader at such an important time for Swindon. Residents expect stability, responsible decision-making and a clear focus on the issues that matter most to them.
“As a minority administration, we will work constructively with colleagues across the Council to find common ground and deliver practical results for our communities. My priority is to provide steady leadership, listen to residents and ensure the Council remains focused on delivering for everyone who lives and works in the Borough.”
Councillor Sumner will oversee several key areas, including inward investment, economic development, the Local Plan, and managing relations on local, regional, and national levels.
Labour Councillor Neil Hopkins has been elected as the new Mayor of Swindon, taking over from outgoing councillor Fay Howard. while Conservative Cllr Gayle Cook was elected as Deputy Mayor.
At today’s Annual Council meeting, the other nine councillors that will make up the Council’s new Cabinet were also announced:
Councillor Jake Chandler, Deputy Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member responsible for Strategy, Resilience and Green Infrastructure
Councillor Vinay Manro, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health
Councillor Keith Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance, Recovery and Transformation
Councillor Matthew Courtliff, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property
Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Children and Education
Councillor Nick Gardiner, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport
Councillor Matt Vallender, Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration
Councillor Kevin Parry, Cabinet Member for Recycling and Streetscene
Councillor Matt Hinton, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Services