New council positions agreed

At last night's Full Council meeting (Wednesday 22 May), Cllr Julia Hilton was voted in as Leader of the Council, with Cllr Glenn Haffenden as her deputy. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members were also agreed.

Cllr Judy Rogers was elected named Mayor for 2024-25, with Cllr David Whitehill as Deputy Mayor.

The new Cabinet members are:

• Cllr Julia Hilton - Regeneration and Community Wealth Building;
• Cllr Darren Mackenzie - Finance, Assets, Risk and ICT;
• Cllr Adele Bates - Arts, Culture, Tourism and Leisure, Equalities and Community Engagement;
• Cllr Joanne Walker - Environment and Neighbourhood Wellbeing;
• Cllr Mark Etherington - Planning, Infrastructure and Active Travel;
• Cllr Glenn Haffenden - Housing and Community Wellbeing;
• Cllr Tony Collins - Foreshore Trust.

Cllr Julia Hilton, Leader of the Council, said: "We are excited about the challenges that we have to tackle, we need a new corporate plan, and we need to continue the work on the projects that are currently underway, including tackling the housing and climate and biodiversity crisis, and working through the new Local Plan.

"Hastings can be a place where residents are proud to live and where people are pleased to visit. We have much to be getting on with together."

You can rewatch the Full Council meeting online.

The new Cabinet is due to meet for the first time at 6pm on Monday 10 June. The meeting is open to the public and it will also be live streamed on the council website.