Ashford has a new mayor and a new-look council executive committee following last night’s meeting of the full council.

Tenterden Councillor John Link was elected as Mayor of the borough for the next year. Cllr Link takes the chains of office from Cllr Rita Hawes, for whom he has served as Deputy Mayor for the past 12 months.

Cllr John Holland was elected as Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming year.

Cllr Paul Clokie was once-again elected as leader of the council, a post he has held since 1999. He appointed a refreshed executive committee with one extra member.

The new committee comprises:

• Cllr Clokie – leader
• Cllr Paul Barlett – deputy leader and portfolio holder for resources and finance
• Cllr Gerry Clarkson – portfolio holder for cultural services
• Cllr John Kemp – portfolio holder for planning, development and partnership working
• Cllr Neil Bell – portfolio holder for environmental services and IT
• Cllr Peter Wood – portfolio holder for housing and corporate governance
• Cllr Michael Claughton – portfolio holder for parking, licensing, customer services, communications, community safety.

View our Council Democracy webpages for more information.

Media Release 0134/08

16/05/2008