New leader of Shropshire Council confirmed
In total, the Lib Dems took 42 of the 74 seats available on Shropshire Council during the election last week
Heather Kidd is set to become the new leader of Shropshire Council after she was selected to lead the new ruling Liberal Democrat party in the county.
Previously leading the Liberal Democrats on a joint basis with Roger Evans, Cllr Kidd won the largest vote of any councillor in England last Thursday (May 1) with a whopping 71% in the Chirbury & Worthen division.
She received an MBE for services to rural communities and has a record of action fighting for residents across Shropshire on issues from NHS access to the state of rural roads. Cllr Kidd is now set to take office as leader of Shropshire Council at the first meeting of the term on May 22nd.
“The Liberal Democrats are determined to deliver a bold, ambitious and reforming agenda for Shropshire,” she said.
“I’m honoured to have been elected as leader and can’t wait to get started on delivering the change that people have voted for.
“Shropshire Council cannot go on as it has been. The organisation has to be more transparent, more efficient, and more positive about working with others – residents, businesses, town and parish councils and all sorts of voluntary organisations.
“We have to make people’s money work better. Change starts now.”
In total, the Lib Dems took 42 of the 74 seats available, with the previous ruling party, the Conservatives, only winning seven.
The deputy leader of the council, meanwhile, will be Alex Wagner, a previous parliamentary candidate for Shrewsbury who represents Quarry and Coton Hill. Also set to be the new Mayor of Shrewsbury, Cllr Wagner has been a well-known local campaigner for several years, and was instrumental in setting up the campaigning machine of Helen Morgan MP after the North Shropshire by-election in 2021.
The formation of a new Cabinet, and who will be appointed in the various committees will be confirmed in due course.