Warwickshire News Mine

Councillor Josie Compton, county councillor for Leek Woootton since June 2001, will carry out the duties of chairman which include chairing meetings of the full county council and being the county’s representative at civic events for the following year. 

Her other duties as a county councillor include chairing the Warwick Area Committee as well as sitting on the Adult and Community Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

She said:  “I look forward to taking over the role and will continue to serve the county with my usual commitment.  I am sure that I speak on behalf of all of my colleagues in the council when I say thank you to Councillor Barnes for the manner in which he has gone about his duties as chairman.  ”

Councillor Barnes, a county councillor for Bidford-on-Avon since 2001, and a district councillor since 1998, remains on the county council, where his duties include sitting on the Stratford Area and Regulatory committees.  He bowed out on a high note with a collection raised on behalf of the county council to be shared between the British Heart Foundation and the new heart unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.  The collection has so far raised around £2000.

Commenting on his period as chair, Cllr Barnes said:  “I feel it’s been a very successful year.  I have enjoyed it and hope that I have been firm but jocular in chairing council meetings.”

Councillor Alan Farnell, leader of the county council, said: “Councillor Barnes has served the county council with his customary humour and fairness, providing the best possible atmosphere for constructive debate, in his year as chair and I am grateful to him for the excellent job he has done.  He hands over the reins to a very competent successor in Councillor Compton, whom I have known for years, and who will also bring many qualities to the role.”

The new vice chair, voted in by councillors, will be Councillor Phillip Morris-Jones, councillor for Fosse.

Link to WCC