A NUMBER of changes were made at North Herts District Council last night (Thursday).

Full council met to mark the new civic year, voting in former community engagement portfolio holder Tricia Cowley (Con) as the new vice chairman.

Former vice chairman Jane Gray (Con) takes the role of chairman, replacing Joan Kirby (Lab).

Cllr Cowley is standing down from her role as Cabinet member, with Tony Hunter taking on her portfolio.

The green and policy portfolio has also been taken over by David Levett, who replaces Claire Strong.

The rest of Cabinet has remained the same.

There’s also been change to Letchworth area committee, with David Levett standing down as chairman. He has been replaced by fellow Conservative councillor and former vice chairman John Booth. Julian Cunningham takes the vice chair.

And Baldock chairman Michael Muir has made way for Ian Knighton, with Michael Weeks appointed vice chairman.

Chairman Jane Gray also nominated Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North – the Comet’s Charity of the Year – as the council’s choice charity.

She said: “I am thrilled to be able to represent North Herts District Council and I am honoured to be taking on the role of Chairman.

“I would like to thank Cllr Kirby for her hard work and support and offer my congratulations for raising £5,080 for her chosen charities during her civic year in office.

“I have chosen to support Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North as my charity because there are many ‘hidden’ carers across North Herts who care for a relative, a partner or a friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. Crossroads Care helps give those carers support, both physically and emotionally and gives them a short break to enable them pursue their own hobbies and activities or just have some well earned rest.”

Stevenage Borough Council is due to make its new civic year announcements on Wednesday.

THE NEW COUNCIL MAKE-UP:

Cabinet

Cllr Lynda Needham leader of the council

Cllr Terry Hone deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance and IT

Cllr David Levett portfolio holder for policy and green issues

Cllr Tony Hunter portfolio holder for community engagement and rural affairs

Cllr Tom Brindley portfolio holder for planning & enterprise

Cllr Peter Burt portfolio holder for waste recycling and environment

Cllr Ian Knighton portfolio holder for leisure

Cllr Bernard Lovewell portfolio holder for housing and environmental health

Committee chairmen and vice-chairmen for 2013/14

Overview and scrutiny committee chairman - Cllr Ray Shakespeare-Smith

Overview and scrutiny committee vice chairman - Cllr Cathryn Henry

Finance, audit and risk committee chairman - Cllr Michael Weeks

Finance, audit and risk committee vice-chairman - Cllr Julian Cunningham

Planning control committee chairman - Cllr David Barnard

Planning control committee vice-chairman - Cllr Fiona Hill

Licensing and appeals committee chairman - Cllr Julian Cunningham

Standards committee chairman - Councillor Mike Rice

Standards committee vice-chairman - Councillor Alan Millard

Council tax setting committee chairman - Cllr Terry Hone

Joint staff consultative committee chairman - Cllr Tom Brindley

Area committee chairmen 2013/14

Baldock area committee chairman - Cllr Ian Knighton

Baldock area committee vice-chairman - Cllr Michael Weeks

Hitchin committee chairman - Cllr Ray Shakespeare-Smith

Hitchin committee vice-chairman - Cllr Richard Thake

Letchworth committee chairman - Cllr John Booth

Letchworth committee vice-chairman - Cllr Julian Cunningham

Royston committee chairman - Cllr Fiona Hill

Royston committee vice-chairman - Cllr Bill Davidson

Southern rural committee chairman - Cllr David Barnard

Southern rural committee vice-chairman - Cllr Cathryn Henry