New leader and chair appointed at West Suffolk Council

West Suffolk Council held its annual meeting on Tuesday, May 23, and elected a new leader and chair.

Cliff Waterman (pictured above) is the leader and Victor Lukaniuk is his deputy leader and the following are cabinet members:

Planning: Jim Thorndyke; housing: Richard O’Driscoll; resources: Diane Hind; families and communities: Donna Higgins; leisure: Ian Shipp; growth: Indy Wijenayaka; operations: David Taylor; governance and regulatory: Gerald Kelly.

A newly formed partnership between the West Suffolk Progressive Alliance Grouping and the Independents have agreed to work together, under the title of West Suffolk Working Partnership (WSWP), to form the new administration.

Councillor Waterman, Labour group leader, is also the leader of the West Suffolk Progressive Alliance Grouping consisting of Labour, Liberal-Democrat and Green members. Councillor Lukaniuk has been elected leader of the newly formed Independents.

Councillor Waterman said: “I am delighted to have been elected to lead this council and deliver the priorities of all councillors who have come together as the West Suffolk Working Partnership. We recognise all communities and businesses across West Suffolk are currently facing enormous challenges and we are focused on working together to tackle these. 

“We also have enormous assets in the shape of our people, businesses and heritage, and we will be working with partner organisations to make the most of them. In the coming days I will be outlining our priorities and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the WSWP and everyone in West Suffolk to help make West Suffolk the very best place in which to live, work or visit.”

Councillor Lukaniuk, added: “Our priority is the residents we serve and I believe we can work together in the West Suffolk Working Partnership, to make a real difference to the lives and prosperity of all our communities across West Suffolk. I look forward to rolling up our sleeves and moving forward. We will continue to make sure we achieve the best outcomes for our residents while working collaboratively, with fellow councillors in the WSWP to deliver.”

Roger Dicker, who was appointed chair of the council, said: “It is a real honour to be elected by council to be chair of this authority. I look forward to representing West Suffolk Council, as I previously did for Forest Heath District Council, and getting out into our communities to see the great work that goes on every day by organisations and individuals across West Suffolk that make such a difference.”

Pat Hanlon was appointed Vice Chair.