Newark and Sherwood District Council elects new Chair

Nominations for the Chair were invited by the outgoing Chair Councillor Jean Hall as her final duty in the role. Councillor Linda Tift was nominated by Councillor Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, and seconded by Deputy Leader Councillor Cozens. She was then unanimously elected by council members and will serve in her new civic role for the coming year.

Councillor Linda Tift said: “I am delighted to step into the role of Chair of Newark and Sherwood District Council and I’m looking forward to the year ahead. I would like to thank Councillor Jean Hall for all her hard work, including her incredible ability to ride a bike around the district to raise money for charity!

“This year, during my time as Chair, I will be supporting, fundraising for, and raising awareness of two incredibly important charities: the Emmaus Trust and the Samaritans. I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for their support and look forward to what the next year will bring.”

Outgoing Chair, Councillor Jean Hall, said: “During my time as Chair, I have met so many amazing people doing so many amazing things. I think there is often too much focus on the bad when we should be highlighting all the good that the District Council and its community do.

“I’ve made lifelong friends in my role as Chair, and during my Chair’s Challenge, I tried to visit every parish we have. I wanted to promote travelling by bike and on foot, and to show how deeply connected our communities are.

“During my tenure, I raised £2,620 for Nottinghamshire Mind, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, and Newark Women’s Aid, which means the absolute world to me and I would like to thank everyone who donated.”

The Shed @ Collingham presented Councillor Jean Hall with a beautiful plaque made from an oak tree that was over 1,000 years old. The wood had previously been used as a church pew before being beautifully restored and crafted into a plaque.

Throughout the meeting, several Councillors gave personal tributes and thanks to Councillor Jean Hall, as well as congratulating and welcoming Councillor Linda Tift.

Councillor Roger Jackson of the Dover Beck Ward was unanimously elected as the new Vice-Chair. Councillor Jackson will work closely with Councillor Tift to represent the District Council and is looking forward to the year ahead.