Lib Dem and Green coalition officially takes up office at Wealden District Council after local election

Councillors met on Wednesday (May 24), confirming the formation of a Green and Liberal Democrat coalition with the election of James Partridge as the council’s new leader.

In naming his cabinet, Cllr Partridge (Lib Dem) confirmed that the Green Party’s Rachel Millward would serve as deputy leader. The two are expected to swap roles each year.

The two parties are to share seven cabinet portfolios (including leader). They include: Ian Tysh (Green), planning and environment; Paul Coleshill (Lib Dem), climate change, economy and wellbeing; Greg Collins (Green), finance and human resources; Gareth Owen-Williams (Lib Dem), waste and customer services; and Kelvin Williams (Lib Dem), public health and asset management.

Cllr Millward will be portfolio holder for housing and benefits, in addition to her role as deputy leader.

The meeting also saw the elections of the Green Party’s Christina Coleman as the council’s chairman and Liberal Democrat Gavin Blake-Coggins as vice-chairman.