Hastings’ new mayor, Cllr Nigel Sinden, left, shakes hands with his deputy, Cllr James Bacon (photo: HBC).

Sinden mayor as HBC makes new appointments

It was a case of musical chairs at the annual meeting of Hastings Borough Council last week, as new holders of the mayoral posts and the various committees were elected, though portfolio holders were almost unchanged. Nick Terdre lists the names.

The new mayor of Hastings is Cllr Nigel Sinden, previously deputy mayor, while the new deputy mayor is Cllr James Bacon. Both are members of the Labour Party which has 24 seats on the council, while the Conservatives have eight. They were elected to the positions, which they will hold for a year, at the annual meeting of the full council which was held last Wednesday, 16 May.

Among the portfolios, there is only one change, with Cllr Judy Rogers now heading up corporate services in place of former Cllr Dawn Poole, who stepped down at the recent election.

Outgoing mayor Cllr Judy Rogers (photo: HBC).

Cllr Peter Chowney remains council leader and finance and property portfolio holder and Cllr Kim Forward deputy leader and responsible for regeneration, planning and culture. Cllr Colin Fitzgerald is portfolio holder for environment, community safety and equalities, Cllr Andy Batsford heads up housing and leisure and Cllr Sue Beaney is the charity committee chair. These all belong to the Labour Party.

The eight members of the HBC Cabinet consist of six Labour councillors – Chowney (chair), Batsford, Beaney, Fitzgerald, Forward and Rogers – and two Tories, Cllrs Rob Lee and Andy Patmore.

The 11-strong overview and scrutiny committee is chaired by Cllr Trevor Webb (L) with Cllr John Rankin (C ) as vice chair.

Other committees:

Standards (four members): chair Cllr Paul Barnett (L), vice Cllr Alan Roberts (L)
Employment appeals (four): Cllr Margi O’Callaghan (L), Cllr Heather Bishop (L)
Employment (four): Cllr Chowney, Cllr Forward
Licensing (15): Cllr Dominic Sabetian (L), Cllr Sinden (L)
Planning (10): Cllr Roberts, Cllr Warren Davies (L)
Environment and safety (five): Cllr Bishop, Cllr Ruby Cox.

All these appointments last for a year, though current post holders are often re-elected.

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