NEWS FEED
Cllr John Wilson has stood down as the chairman of Dorset County Council after seven years in the role.
Cllr Wilson, Conservative councillor for Ferndown since 2001, announced at the full council meeting on Thursday 21 April that he was standing down as chairman because of health reasons.
The council elected Cllr Andrew Cattaway, Conservative councillor for Stour Vale and previously vice-chairman, as its new chairman. Cllr Hilary Cox, Conservative councillor for Winterborne, was elected as vice-chair.
The chairman of the county council is responsible for chairing meetings of the council and representing the authority at civic engagements.
Cllr Wilson, who has also stepped down from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Authority, will continue to serve as a county councillor and an East Dorset District councillor.
Cllr Wilson said: “When I became chairman in 2009, this council was 120 years old and had had only 13 chairmen before me. It is with some sense of having done my bit that I will now stand down.
“I have enjoyed the honour of greeting many royal visitors to Dorset, including Her Majesty as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
“But the most important part of the job is here in this council chamber. I have been amazed at how easy council meetings have been for me, a reflection on the good behaviour and common sense of elected members. This gavel has hardly ever been banged.
“I also wish to thank all the officers who have helped me over the years, led so effectively by chief executive Debbie Ward and her predecessor David Jenkins. I could not have asked for better support.
Debbie Ward said: “It has been a great pleasure to work closely with John. His commitment to the county council, its staff and the county of Dorset have been a wonderful example for us all.”
