Chairman and vice-chairman at Central Bedfordshire Council reappointed unopposed
Conservative Caddington councillor Kevin Collins has been re-elected chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council for a second year.
Councillor Collins was voted unopposed into the role, which he will now remain in until the 2027 local elections next May. The whole of the unitary authority, CBC, is due up for election in 12 months time.
Independent Caddington councillor Vicky Malone was reappointed as his vice-chairman at the local authority’s annual meeting last night (Thursday, May 14).
Councillor Collins took over the role from Independent Flitwick councillor Gareth Mackey a year ago, while councillor Malone replaced The Central Bedfordshire Community Network Sandy councillor Sue Bell.
Councillor Mackey and councillor Bell were also in post for two years, from the last time elections were held for seats on CBC in May 2023. Councillor Malone has been representing Caddington ward since those elections three years ago, while Councillor Collins was elected to CBC after winning a by-election in 2014.
As well as presiding over full council meetings in this mayoral-style role, councillor Collins will represent CBC on civic visits and at ceremonial events, while raising funds and awareness for his chosen charities, CBC said previously in a press release.
The pair nominated each other, with councillor Collins leaving the Priory House council chamber at the start of the meeting to be appointed chairman in his absence from the room.
Councillor Malone said of councillor Collins: “I’ve seen first hand the dedication, leadership and commitment (he has) shown to both the council and the community.
“I’ve learned a great deal from him during my time as vice-chairman and have very much valued the support, guidance and experience he’s shared with me.
“He’s carried out the role with professionalism, fairness and integrity representing the council with pride at all time. I believe he’d continue to serve the council exceptionally well and nominate him for the forthcoming year.”
Councillor Collins said in nominating councillor Malone: “She has supported me and basically been my right hand for the past 12 months.
“I can think of no better person to continue to fulfil that role, so I’m very happy to propose her as vice-chairman of the council.”
Both the chairman and vice-chairman read oaths of office, promising “to duly and faithfully fulfil the duties of the role, according to the best of ‘their’ judgment and ability”.
The chairman and vice-chairman also remained unchanged on the overview and scrutiny committees, and CBC’s general purposes committee and its development management committee, after a series of votes.
Conservative Flitwick councillor Ian Adams still chairs the corporate resources scrutiny, Conservative Heath and Reach councillor Mark Versallion continues to chair children’s services with the SEND sub-committee, and Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade South councillor Emma Holland-Lindsay chairs the social care, health and housing scrutiny.
Conservative Dunstable West councillor Nigel Young remains in charge of sustainable communities scrutiny, with Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade North councillor David Bligh chairing the development management committee again, and Independent Biggleswade West councillor Steve Watkins reappointed to chair the general purposes committee.
Independent Ampthill councillor Mark Smith was selected to chair CBC’s health and wellbeing board for another 12 months.