A NEW leader has been appointed to the Conservative group at Stratford District Council
Coun Daren Pemberton was first elected in 2001, representing Bidford as a district councillor, and is the longest serving councillor at SDC having held numerous positions including deputy leader, planning portfolio holder and planning chair.
He represented the Bidford and Welford division for Warwickshire County Council over the last four years. but did not stand for re-election in last week’s local elections.
He also led the best value review at SDC in 2003, which introduced the first ever 35 per cent affordable housing policy and was instrumental in launching the development of the South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP), which is being progressed by the current administration.
Daren said: “I feel privileged to have been elected as the new Conservative leader and look forward to drawing on my extensive experience as both a district and county councillor to hold the current administration to account, alongside our team of dedicated councillors who all have a track record of supporting residents.
“In view of the recent changes at Warwickshire County Council, it is vital that there is a strong, experienced opposition that understands the needs of our communities to challenge the administration in ensuring that the forthcoming SWLP and local devolution plans for a unitary council deliver real benefits and make our residents’ lives better. The Conservative group now has a seriously strong and united team in place to do just exactly that on behalf of all residents across the district.”
Daren replaces previous Conservative leader Coun Sarah Walley-Hoggins who defected to Reform in March.
