East Riding Council Elects New Chairman and Vice Chairman

Liberal Democrat Cllr Linda Johnson has been elected as the new Chairman of East Riding Council, succeeding Cllr Liam Dealtry for the upcoming year.

East Riding Council has a new Chairman. At the council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 14, Cllr Linda Johnson was elected to serve as Chairman for the coming year.

Cllr Johnson, who represents the St Mary’s ward as a Liberal Democrat, has taken the role from the outgoing Cllr Liam Dealtry. Cllr Johnson was proposed as Chairman by the leader of the East Riding Lib Dems, Cllr Denis Healy.

Cllr Healy said:

Many of us will already know Linda well, not only for her experience in this chamber, but for the energy, care and dedication that she brings to everything she does

For the past year, Cllr Johnson has been Cllr Dealtry’s Vice Chairman. The Lib Dem leader said Cllr Johnson has carried out that role:

with distinction, professionalism, and real enthusiasm.

After being voted in by her fellow councillors, Cllr Johnson said:

It really is a great honour and I will endeavour to do the job with grace and charm.

She also thanked members for electing her into the role.

During her year as Chairman, she has chosen to support two charities; East Riding Domestic Abuse Trust (ERDAT) which works with victims of domestic abuse, both men, women and children, within the East Riding, who need urgent monetary assistance after fleeing to a place of safety.  Also, White Ribbon - the charity which works towards ending men's violence against women and girls by challenging its root causes of harmful misogynistic attitudes and behaviours. 

Councillor Linda Johnson said:

“I have chosen these charities because it's only by bringing conversations about domestic abuse and violence against women and girls into the open that we can hope to challenge and change toxic behaviour.

“White Ribbon is very dear to my heart. The council is an accredited organisation which encourages all staff and members to take the White Ribbon promise and active bystander training, and many East Riding schools and organisations are signed up supporters. However, I am very aware that online misogyny, sexism, bullying and threats against young women is causing real harm. It would be good to think that money raised during my year in office, could be used to run relationship violence prevention sessions and social skills training in East Riding settings, involving young people of both sexes.”

Councillor Barbara Jeffreys was elected as Vice Chairman. 

Outgoing Chairman, Councillor Liam Dealty, was thanked for his year in office, during which he raised over £4000 for his charities; SSAFA East Yorkshire (Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association) and M.A.S.H. (Military Assistance Social Hub), and attended over 300 engagements.

The Chairman attends a variety of events and functions within the East Riding organised by businesses, churches, local organisations, parish and town councils, and further afield if there is an East Riding connection. The Chairman also attends events which are organised by council departments, such as opening of community homes, schools, youth clubs and exhibitions.

After handing over the gown and chains to his successor, Cllr Dealtry said:

enjoy the ride, it’s really fun.

He went on to thank East Riding’s "dedicated and lovely" councillors, saying it was an honour to be their Chairman.

The leader of the council, Cllr Anne Handley spoke very highly of Cllr Dealtry as she thanked him for his year of service. She thanked him for:

the hard work he has given with such commitment, good humour, and steady leadership.

Cllr Handley added:

Anyone who has spent time around council business knows that being the Chairman is not easy and it’s not just about wearing the chain and looking impressive, although to be fair, Liam’s certainly carried that part off perfectly well. It’s also about patience, diplomacy, long meetings, even longer agendas, and the fine art of looking calm when everyone else is testing the limits of local democracy. Liam has managed all of that with remarkable grace.

Councillors also elected a new Vice Chairman. Cllr Barbara Jeffreys (Goole South ward – Independent Group) has taken on the role for the coming 12 months. After being elected, Cllr Jeffreys said:

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this council and the East Riding as your Vice Chair for the coming year. It is an honour to be entrusted with this responsibility and I appreciate your confidence in me.