CONSERVATIVES ANNOUNCE SHAPE OF NEW STYLE COUNCIL

Following a council meeting on the 26^th February 2008, to approve the new constitution for Mole Valley, the Conservative administration named the councillors who will be heading their new style executive Council.

There will be six "portfolio holders" in the new Executive. Clare Curran (Bookham North) will head Strategic Planning whilst Ben Tatham (Mickleham, Westhumble and Pixham) will run Finance and Assets.

Duncan Mountford, elected as councillor for Leatherhead North in 2004 will run Environment and Sustainability. Kate Horden (Brockham, Betchworth and Buckland), who at 25 is the youngest member of the Conservative Group, was appointed portfolio holder for Customer Care. David Walker (Bookham North) will be responsible for Housing and Community Support and David Sharland (Leatherhead South) will run Community Safety and Wellbeing.

There will be four new "Area Forums" each with its own chairman. These will be elected formally at the annual council meeting in May 2008.

Some of the former council committees will remain. The Development Control Committee will continue to be chaired by Chris Hunt (Ashtead Village) and Licensing by Daphne Ladell (Box Hill and Headley).

The Administration Spokesman on Scrutiny and Audit will be Chris Reynolds (Ashtead Village).

Tim Hall, Leader of the Council said:-

"What we have here is a winning team. Our Conservative councillors come from all walks of life and all kinds of backgrounds. Whether they’re out in the community or meeting at the council offices, these are the people who have made Mole Valley a top quality council. This is an exciting time for Mole Valley. Our new Executive will deliver both greater transparency and faster decision making."

The new Executive will have its first meeting on the 11^th March 2008.

Strategic Planning (Deputy Leader and Vice Chairman of the Executive)

Clare Curran

(supported by Chris Hunt, John Chandler, Don Webb)

Finance and Assets

Ben Tatham

(supported by Janette Purkiss and Kathryn Westwood)

Environment & Sustainability

Duncan Mountford

(supported by Bryan Davis)

Customer Care/Organisational Development

Kate Horden

(supported by Rosemary Dickson, Malcolm Johnson)

Housing & Community Support

David Walker

(supported by Daphne Ladell)

Community Safety & Wellbeing

David Sharland

(supported by Carolyn Corden, Sylvia Sharland and Emile Aboud)

Development Control

Chris Hunt Chairman; Janette Purkiss Vice Chairman

Licensing

Daphne Ladell Chairman; John Chandler Vice Chairman

Scrutiny & Audit