Christmas comes early for Warwickshire County Councillor elected as chairman

Councillor Chris Mills (Con, Kineton) was elected as the new chair for 2024-25, a role that sees him established as the ceremonial head of the authority, representing it at various events throughout the next civic year.

He will also oversee meetings of full council, interpreting and upholding the rules of the council in a non-political way while acknowledging the rights of councillors and the interests of their communities.

The post is distinct from that of leader of the council, Councillor Izzi Seccombe OBE (Con, Stour & the Vale), who heads the cabinet that makes decisions and sets the strategic direction of the authority.

In putting forward Cllr Mills for the post, Cllr Seccombe highlighted his work in Kineton, which includes roles with the village hall, its music festival and his membership on the Keep Kineton Beautiful team.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to propose Chris,” she said.

“He is one of those rare people who has a genuine kindness, a can-do will-do attitude, and more importantly he does do.

“He has been an elected member in Stratford since 2007 and I have shared some of those times with him.

“He is involved in everything in Kineton and the surrounding villages, what he doesn’t do isn’t really worth knowing about. He tidies up the village, litter picking, there was an occasion where a young woman needed to move flat and she had no access to anyone who could help. Chris said: ‘I’ll do it, don’t worry.’

“If you’re short of a lift to an airport, Chris will do it, he always does and he has often stood in for Santa in his busy period at Christmas.

“He is just the heart and soul of the community, I have never heard him say a bad word about anyone, he is always there to help and be a good samaritan.

“I think he is absolutely the sort of person we should have representing us, waving the flag for Warwickshire. This is someone who I feel has really earned this role and I look forward to your year in office.”

Cllr Mills then took the chain of office, congratulating predecessor Councillor Chris Kettle (Con, Feldon) as he did so.

“Chris, you have been diligent and worked hard in your year of office,” said Cllr Mills.

“You have represented us in an exemplary manner and you have been an exceptional chairman who is very well respected among your peers.”

Those remarks echoed the sentiments put forward by Cllr Seccombe earlier in the meeting.

“Thank you for the way you have conducted yourself over the past year, for all the work you have done and events you have attended on our behalf, Chris,” she said.

“I for one am very grateful.”

Councillor Andy Jenns (Con, Kingsbury) was proposed and accepted as vice-chair.

Councillor Margaret Bell (Con, Hartshill & Mancetter) said: “I have worked with Andy on the county council and North Warwickshire Borough Council.

“He is a really hard-working councillor who is absolutely passionate about the communities he represents.

“Give Andy a challenge and he just quietly and efficiently gets on with it so I have no doubt that he will make an excellent vice-chairman and be a great support to our chairman.”

Seeing two new faces in the posts is a break from tradition.

Usually, the vice-chair from the previous council year steps up to the top job but Councillor Jeff Morgan (Con, Bulkington & Whitestone), vice-chair for 2023-24, stood down from that position but not the council in March after a flurry of official complaints over comments he made about children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) during a scrutiny meeting in January.

Complaints were also filed against Councillor Brian Hammersley (Con, Bedworth Central) and Councillor Clare Golby (Con, Arbury), matters that are still being investigated by the council.