Thatcham councillor to become new council leader
Roger Croft to be confirmed as West Berkshire Council leader on Thursday
Thatcham town and district councillor Roger Croft has been named as the new leader of West Berkshire Council.
Mr Croft, the current deputy leader, will take the reins from the out-going council leader Gordon Lundie (Con, Lambourn Valley) at a special meeting on Thursday.
Speaking on becoming leader Mr Croft said: "I was instrumental in writing the 2015 Conservative Manifesto for West Berkshire and the previous and current Council Strategy.
"As Leader I will be looking closely at the delivery of our Manifesto Pledges which form the promises we made to the residents of West Berkshire in May.
"We will continue to invest for the future to make West Berkshire an even better place to live, work and learn."
Mr Croft is one of two councillors representing Thatcham south and Crookham ward on the district council. He also represents the ward on Thatcham Town Council.
He currently is the executive member for finance, insurance, health and safety, human resources, pensions, ICT and corporate support.
Mr Lundie, who announced last month that he would be standing down, said on Twitter yesterday (Monday): "Cllr Roger Croft elected leader of West Berks Conservatives tonight - will be confirmed as Leader of the Council on Thursday evening."
Thatcham Conservatives Tweeted today: "Congratulations to Roger Croft of Thatcham South & Crookham elected as leader of West Berks Conservatives and next leader of WBDC."
Mr Croft was elected to West Berkshire Council in 2011 and became deputy leader in 2014.
He has lived in Thatcham for nearly 30 years with his wife and had a 40-year career in the computer industry and has held several positions on various local committees including president of the Newbury and District Swimming Club, trustee of the Thatcham Pre-School Charity and is a member of the Thatcham Flood Forum.
Graham Jones (Con, Lambourn Valley), who was council leader from 2005 to 2012, has been named as deputy leader.
