Musical chairs as council gets new faces in a big shake-up of leadership

Councillor Holmes and Councillor Riley step up after former chair takes on top role

STAFFORDSHIRE Moorlands District Council has a new chair and vice chair.

Councillor Tony Holmes, who represents the Forsbrook ward, was elected into the office at last week’s annual general meeting of the district council.

He replaces Councillor Paul Roberts, who has taken over as SMDC leader. Councillor Holmes, main picture, was vice chair of the authority during the last year.

He was proposed as the new chairman by recently-deposed leader Sybil Ralphs.

Accepting the office, Mr Holmes said: “I am very proud and honoured to be the chairman. I will do my best for the council and the people of the Staffordshire Moorlands.

“There are a lot of projects to deliver for the Staffordshire Moorlands.

“The regeneration of the towns is essential as we come out of the pandemic. Green space is also important to us. We have to work together.”

Retiring chairman Councillor Roberts said: “I would like to thank all councillors and officers for their support. Thanks to a raffle at my charity ball £1,000 was raised.

“I have not managed to do a lot of fundraising due to the short start because of covid.

“I would like to thank people who have donated to my charity and thanks for putting your faith in me.”

Elected as vice chairman for the forthcoming year was Councillor Teresa Riley, right, of Longnor.

Proposing Councillor Riley, Councillor Ralphs said: “Teresa has been a councillor for eight years. She took over from the much loved Jason Hails in the Manifold ward.

“She represents many villages in the most north of the Staffordshire Moorlands. She lives in Longnor with her husband Joe. The ward has brilliant community spirit and people are fantastic. There is a sense of community second to none and she is a passionate councillor.”