Thatcham Town Council chooses new leader and deputy leader

Thatcham Town Council has chosen its new leader and deputy leader.

Councillors voted in favour of councillor Suzanne Adamantos (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) becoming the next council leader at a full council meeting held on Monday (May 12).

She replaced Tom McCann (Lib Dem, Thatcham Central), who will be focusing more on his district seat in the Thatcham North East ward.

Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) nominated Mrs Adamantos, who recently completed her civic year as mayor (2024/25).

He said: “I’ve known Susanne since the early 90s.

“She brings and has already used to the advantage of this council and our residents, all her experience in the public sector she gained at West Berkshire Council, where she was quite a leading light in children’s services.

“It’s a body of experience that will do well in this role for this council, and I think she will be a splendid leader.”

Mrs Adamantos then nominated Mike Cole (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East) as deputy leader.

She said: “I have experience of working in the district council.

“I haven’t got experience of working as a councillor in the town council apart from the last couple of years, as opposed to councillor Cole, who has many, many years of experience.

“And I think he would be a great asset as my deputy.”

Councillors voted in favour of her nomination.

In local government, many councils have a civic mayor who represents the town through ceremonial duties.

The council leader is the main figurehead responsible for leading the council’s political agenda.

Some councils have an elected mayor, responsible for the daily running of local services, while others have both elected and civic mayors.