“As someone who has called Braintree home all my life, it is a huge honour and privilege to be nominated for this role."
Cllr Tom Cunningham is set to become the new Leader of Braintree District Council, succeeding Cllr Graham Butland, who will step down from the role and as Leader of the Conservative Group on Thursday, 28 May, after more than 20 years of dedicated service.
Cllr Cunningham has been a Braintree District Council Member for 15 years and brings more than 11 years of senior leadership experience to the position. During this time, he has overseen a number of key Cabinet portfolios and has served as Deputy Leader of the Council since 2019. Over the past three years, he has also held senior positions at Essex County Council, operating at a broader strategic level and overseeing services at greater scale.
Cllr Tom Cunningham, incoming Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “As someone who has called Braintree home all my life, it is a huge honour and privilege to be nominated for this role. I would like to thank my colleagues for their support and pay tribute to Cllr Butland for his many years of dedicated service and leadership. His commitment to the council and district has left a strong and lasting legacy.
"We are a well-run, low tax council with a strong commitment to supporting our communities and businesses, and I am determined to build on that success. With clear priorities and a strong foundation in place, my focus will be on working with councillors and officers to deliver improvements residents can see in their everyday experience of council services. At the same time, we will lead from the front in preparing for local government reorganisation - working proactively with our partners to ensure a smooth transition while continuing to deliver high quality services to residents.”
As part of the new leadership arrangements, Cllr Kevin Bowers – an experienced councillor with more than 10 years’ service - is expected to take on the role of Deputy Leader, alongside his existing responsibilities as Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Performance.
Cllr Kevin Bowers, incoming Deputy Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “It is an honour to take on this new position and support Cllr Cunningham in his role as Leader. He brings a clear vision and strong leadership, and I look forward to working with him to build on our achievements and continue to deliver on the council’s priorities.”
The new Cabinet, including portfolio responsibilities, has also been announced:
Cllr Tom Cunningham - Leader, Strategy and Change
Cllr Kevin Bowers - Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Performance
Cllr Gabrielle Spray - Cabinet Member for Planning
Cllr Frankie Ricci - Cabinet Member for Transformation and Future Working
Cllr Charley Dervish - Cabinet Member for Communities
Cllr Peter Schwier - Cabinet Member for Operations and Pride in Place
Cllr Toby Williams - Cabinet Member for Leisure and Wellbeing
Cllr Lynette Bowers-Flint - Cabinet Member for Housing and Environmental Health
Cllr Justin Wrench - Cabinet Member for Economic Growth
Cllr Billy Taylor - Deputy Cabinet Member providing support to the Leader of the Council and the Performance, Change and Transition Portfolios
The appointments are subject to formal consideration at the Council’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 28 May.