New coalition cabinet appointed at Babergh District Council

Babergh District Council’s new coalition administration has announced a new cabinet, drawing upon members from three political groups.

The Greens, Liberal Democrats and independents have formed a power-share arrangement to lead Babergh over the next four years, after the local elections in May left no party with an overall majority on the council.

On Wednesday, newly-appointed Lib Dem council leader David Busby confirmed his cabinet, comprising four Greens and three independents.

Cllr Busby will also hold the cabinet role for planning, while his deputies – Green councillor Deborah Saw and independent John Ward – will take charge of the portfolios for people and place in west Babergh, and finance, assests and investments, respectively.

Green group members Jessie Carter, Daniel Potter and Sallie Davies have been selected to respectively oversee housing, the environment, and people and place in east Babergh.

Meanwhile, independent Derek Davis is in charge of economic growth, and Alistair McCraw will oversee the portfolio for customers, digital transformation and improvement.

“This cabinet represents passion, experience and expertise across our coalition,” said Cllr Busby. “This team will bring energy and ideas, which can help make our district even better.

“Some of these portfolios are new and give an early indication of the things that will be important to us.

“We look forward to working together in the months and years ahead to achieve the best we can for residents, businesses and communities.”

Following last month’s election, the Greens emerged as the largest party in Babergh, with 10 councillors elected.

The rest of the authority’s political make-up is nine independents, seven Conservatives, five Liberal Democrats and one Labour member.

Under the terms of the power-share deal, the council leadership will rotate between political groups annually.

The Lib Dems are providing the leader for the first year, with the Greens leading in the second and fourth years of this council term, and an independent leader chosen for the third year.

The three groups will collaborate to agree policy positions, but otherwise remain separate.