New Mid Suffolk District Council leader Andy Mellen outlines priorities and promises a ‘greener and more sustainable direction’

A new council leader has outlined the priorities for its new administration and promised a ‘greener and more sustainable direction’ to tackle community issues.

Cllr Andy Mellen was elected as Mid Suffolk District Council’s new leader yesterday, which comes just weeks after the district recorded the first majority Green council in the UK.

Cllr Rachel Eburne was appointed his deputy, while the new chair of the council will be Cllr Rowland Warboys with Cllr Daniel Pratt as vice-chair.

In his leader’s speech, Cllr Mellen said the administration would re-focus the work of the council in a “greener and more sustainable direction” as well as addressing issues such as the cost-of-living, finding an affordable place to live and climate change.

He also said the administration wanted to improve the 'liveability' of communities - supporting the provision of key facilities.

Cllr Mellen said: "This might be the local pub which also hosts the village post office or the food bank, two examples that are already happening. It could be redundant farm buildings re-purposed as a micro-brewery or a professional services centre, or the village hall which acts as a hub for community life.

“These kind of small businesses and community connections are often what make neighbourhoods work and on which people depend, and we want to build these up and support them.”

The cabinet will be made up of six portfolios:

• Cllr Andy Mellen (leader) – Performance and resilience
• Cllr Rachel Eburne (deputy leader) – Finance and resources
• Cllr Andrew Stringer – Heritage, planning and infrastructure
• Cllr Tim Weller – Environment, culture and wellbeing
• Cllr Richard Winch – Housing and property
• Cllr Teresa Davis – Thriving towns and rural communities

Cllr Warboys announced which charities he would be supporting during his tenure - Street Forge Workshops in Thornham Magna, and Beyond The Wall - a charity based in the 'Walled Garden' on the Thornham Estate.