COUNCILLOR Mike Rice is the new chairman of Stratford District Council.
Outgoing chairman Coun Kate Rolfe handed over the chains of office at SDC’s recent Annual Council Meeting.
During her term of office Coun Rolfe supported Stratford’s Eco Workshop CIC, a community interest company who provide purposeful work activities for adults with learning disability and autism and raised over £7,000.
This time, Coun Rice has chosen The Shakespeare Hospice and VASA as his charities during his term of office.
His wife, Lorraine will be his consort and Paul Edmondson will be his chaplin.
Coun Rice said: “It’s a great honour and privilege to be elected to this important office and I shall try my best to live up to the expectations of my council colleagues and the people of Stratford district.”
Meanwhile SDC’s Cabinet for the new municipal year was agreed at the same meeting.
Coun Susan Juned remains leader, Coun George Cowcher is deputy leader and planning and economic development portfolio holder, Coun Natalie Gist is law and governance portfolio holder and Coun Lorraine Grocott is portfolio holder for environment and neighbourhood services.
The resources portfolio is in the hands of Coun David Curtis, Coun Liz Coles is responsible for housing and customer services and Coun Louis is in charge of projects and communications.
Coun Juned praised the recent work of the council including it now holding the number one position for recycling in England and its sound financial position but acknowledged there were challenges and changes ahead.
She continued: “We have two big challenges ahead with the Local Plan and Local Government Reorganisation. The South Warwickshire Local Plan will soon be going to the final Regulation 19 consultation before being submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. We have had to address the requirements of Government for an almost 100 per cent increase in housing numbers to be built by 2050.
“In November 2025, Stratford District Council formally endorsed a proposal for the creation of two new unitary authorities in Warwickshire, one covering the north of the county and another covering south Warwickshire. This was formally submitted to Government, and we are now waiting for their decision – expected in July. Unless there are any delays in the Government’s decisions, there will be elections to a shadow authority in May 2027, and the new unitary council will start in April 2028.
“We continue to look ahead to find ways to improve the services that the district council currently delivers to residents and to anticipate the changes that will come as the result of the new unitary council.”
