East Sussex County Council elects new vice-chairman after cabinet changes

Reform UK’s Mickey Caira (Polegate and Watermill) was elected vice-chairman of East Sussex County Council.

He replaces Reform UK councillor Victoria Carson who is to become cabinet member for children and families.

In a statement released after the meeting, council leader Andy Woolley said: “Victoria will be a real asset as lead member for children and families.

“As we settle in as a new administration, we’re making sure the right people are in the right seats to deliver for residents.

“Councillors can’t hold both a ceremonial post and a cabinet position at the same time, so yesterday Cllr Carson stepped down as vice-chairman, and following the council meeting, I wrote to the council’s monitoring officer to notify the executive of the change.”

Cllr Carson takes over the cabinet position from Rye and Eastern Rother councillor Daniel Bradley, who had announced his resignation last week.

Writing on Facebook, he said he was stepping down due to “the potential for a perceived conflict of interest” due to his links with Marine Training Corps — a community interest company, which works with children and young people.

He added: “Alongside my role in local government, I continue to serve as national director of the Marine Training Corps, a national youth organisation working with young people and cadets across the UK.

“As that role continues to develop, I have reflected on the potential for a perceived conflict of interest between my responsibilities within the organisation and my position as lead member for children and families.”

He says he will remain a county and district councillor.