Stroud District Council appoints new leader from the Green Party

Catherine Braun of the Green Party has been elected as the new leader following the resignation of Doina Cornell yesterday lunchtime (July 21).

Ms Braun, who represents Wotton-under-Edge, said: “I am honoured to take on the role of Leader and will work collaboratively with all parties, to deliver on our 2030 strategy for a sustainable future, and our Council Plan, for the people and businesses of the district.

Catherine Braun of the Green Party has been elected as the district council's new leader

“I have worked closely with Councillor Cornell for many years, and I would like to pay tribute to her commitment to communities across the district, as well as her focus on cross-party working.”

Natalie Bennett of the Labour Party was elected as the Council's deputy leader.

Ms Bennett, who represents Nailsworth said: “We are committed to working collaboratively and delivering on the Council Plan, which addresses community resilience and wellbeing; economy, recovery and regeneration; and environment and climate change.”

Natalie Bennett of the Labour Party has been elected as the council's new deputy leader.

“We as councillors are determined to work across political lines for the best of everyone in the district.”

Councillor Cornell, now a Community Independent for Dursley, has led the council for four and a half years and will remain a council member.

In her resignation speech, she said: “We are in total support of the Leader and Deputy Leader that the Council has elected and we are strongly aligned with the progressive values of the current administration and the delivery of the council plan."

Ms Cornell, as well as SDC vice chair Trevor Hall, Robin Layfield, and Colin Fryer, all resigned from the Labour Party just a few weeks ago and started a new group called Stroud District Community Independents. 

READ MORE: District councillors release joint statement after Labour Party resignation

READ MORE: Stroud District Council leader Doina Cornell resigns

Following the resignations, the council elected Catherine Braun of the Green Party as its new leader, as the Green Party formed the majority of the alliance. 

Stroud District Community Independents are a non-politically-aligned group that is wholly focused on community-driven policy & action.

Mr Layfield from Stroud District Community Independents, said: "We are now ready to get on with the work at hand - there is so much for us to do and we are keen to continue making a positive contribution to the Council and to the District."