New chairman and vice chairman for Horsham District Council

Tricia Youtan (Con, Itchingfield, Slinfold and Warnham) will succeed Brian O’Connell (Con, Henfield) for the municipal year 2015/16, while Christian Mitchell (Con, Holbrook West) will serve as her vice chairman.

Mr Mitchell was vice-chairman in 2013/14 under then chairman Philip Circus (Con, Chanctonbury), but was effectively sacked as chairman-elect in February 2014 by his own party in a whipped vote.

Afterwards he said he had paid the price for supporting his residents by opposing the proposed North Horsham development.

During last night’s Full Council meeting, the first at HDC’s new home at Parkside, Mrs Youtan described being ‘honoured and delighted’ to accept the role.

She added: “Horsham was voted the second best place to live in the UK this year and it’s up to all members and the hard working team of officers that we achieve the best for our residents.”

Mr Mitchell added: “Chairman I look forward to giving you the support when you need it.”

After proposing Mrs Youtan for chairman Mr Circus said: “She understands that any attempt to run it or to see it as a political role is to damage the role of chairman of the council and to damage the council itself and in a real sense to damage the reputation of this authority.”

Mr Circus also said HDC had been ‘blessed’ to have Mr O’Connell as chairman in the last year.

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