Councillor Daphne Bagshawe, from Rotherfield, is the first woman to take up the chairmanship of the Council since 1989. She was elected to the post at the County Council’s full Council meeting in Lewes today (Tuesday 25 May).
Councillor Bagshawe, said: "I will use my time as Chairman to stand up for local authorities, elected by and accountable to the people they serve. Many residents are worried by the number of unelected quangos, making decisions that affect people’s lives without any local input.”
Councillor Bagshawe said she will be proud to promote the County of East Sussex and says her role has three aspects. She said: "I have a civic and ceremonial role, representing the County in the wider world, I have an internal role, visiting, supporting and thanking the Council staff and I have a role representing the people of East Sussex and making sure their representatives are enabled to fulfil their duties to the people of the County.”
The County Council’s new Chairman also wants to form an association of ambassadors drawn from key players within the County – leaders from industry, education (both private and state funded), health care, voluntary organisations and political leaders to form an umbrella group to promote East Sussex.
Notes to editors
Councillor Daphne Bagshawe was first appointed to the County Council in 1997 and represents Crowborough Rotherfield. She has served as Deputy Leader of the County Council, Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet Committee and Lead Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources. Councillor Bagshawe is also Chairman of the East Sussex Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE).
Married with four children, Daphne lists her interests as politics, education, gardening, history, science, cookery, singing and theology.
Reference:
04/165/MF
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