New leader of Thatcham Town Council appointed

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

Councillor Mike Cole has taken the leadership role from Lee Dillon, who now sits as leader of West Berkshire Council.

Mr Cole’s deputy is Owen Jeffery (Thatcham Colthrop and Crookham) in place of former deputy David Lister, who didn’t stand for re-election at the town council this term.

The new appointments were made in the first full Thatcham Town Council meeting held on Monday night.

The chamber was full with members new and members re-elected – but all from the same political party.

After the meeting, Mr Cole told Newburytoday he was feeling optimistic in his new role.

“We have got nine new very keen members with new ideas,” he said.

“They are already fizzing with new ideas, some big, some small.

“We have got a wide variety of experience and a wide variety of skills within the group and a wide variety of contacts.”

Mr Jeffery said the council is determined to make Thatcham a “nicer place to live, a better place to live, a safer place to live” and somewhere where young people have always got something to do.

He said having a fully Lib Dem body will be a duty on the town council – who will have to keep themselves in check internally.

“As the council and as the Liberal Democrats we need to make sure we are really taking everything on board from our residents,” he added.

“We are very committed to driving this council to be providing more things that are of value for the community within the community and making sure the money we collect in taxes goes to that.”