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East Riding Council Elects New Chairman and Vice Chairman

Thursday, 14 May 2026 18:30

By Andrew Spence, Local Democracy Reporter

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.

The charities Cllr Johnson has chosen to support in the coming year are:

  • East Riding Domestic Abuse Trust
  • White Ribbon

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.

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