STUDLEY councillor Clive Rickhards is to be the new chairman of Warwickshire County Council.
The news came out of the blue and the Liberal Democrat county councillor (pictured) admitted it was a ‘bit of a stunner’ when the Tory controlled authority’s leader, Izzi Seccombe, broke the news.
“I was stunned. It took me a few moments to take in what was being said, but it’s a huge honour for me and for Studley,” said the former school teacher.
“I will endeavour to serve the people of Warwickshire as well as I can, and it’s also an opportunity for me to put Studley on the map.”
The expectation had been that, with the Conservatives winning overall control at the county elections on May 4 they would appoint one of their own.
Instead it was Coun Rickhards, who has been on the authority for seven years and is renowned as a hard working and thoughtful representative, who got the top job.
Coun Rickhards retained his Studley division at the election however across Warwickshire the authority was turning blue.
The county previously with no overall control following the 2013 election, saw the Tories win 36 of the 57 seats.
