Ken Rhatigan continues as leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
COUNCILLOR Ken Rhatigan (Con, Tadley North, Kingsclere and Baughurst) will continue as the leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council after his re-election.
Mr Rhatigan, who was first elected as leader in May 2019, was reappointed for a four-year term at the council’s annual meeting after leading his party to a majority of 12 in the elections on May 6.
The meeting was held at the Haymarket theatre in Basingstoke due to Covid-19 restrictions and was the council’s first in-person meeting since last March.
Mr Rhatigan said: “I was very proud to have come from the back benches straight into the role as leader two years ago and I am privileged to be re-elected as leader for another four years.
“With business experience and years of interacting with people in all walks of life, my aim is to understand what matters to people at a local level and give them the good value and clear vision they expect from their council.”
Mr Rhatigan also appointed his cabinet for the forthcoming year.
The same cabinet members returned, with a change in portfolio roles.
The roles are:
- Simon Bound – deputy leader and communities, planning and infrastructure
- Rebecca Bean – health, wellbeing and leisure
- Hayley Eachus – recycling, waste and regulatory services
- Hannah Golding – economic development
- John Izett – finance and major projects
- Tristan Robinson – homes and housing regeneration
- Mark Ruffell – natural environment and climate improvement.
Mr Rhatigan added: “I am glad to announce the return of experienced and dedicated cabinet members.
“We have a lot to do and I have made some change to portfolios to ensure the best fit of services in the context and new challenges of our post-Covid world.
“Our focus is on supporting our communities and businesses to recover as we emerge from the pandemic and drive forward initiatives to give everyone in the borough a brighter future and meet our climate emergency targets.”
