A NEW leader and chairman have been chosen at East Hampshire District Council’s annual meeting.

Richard Millard was elected leader, with Ferris Cowper stepping down and becoming deputy leader. And Lynn Evans was chosen as the new chairman, with Anthony Williams as her deputy.

Mrs Evans announced that she would be supporting the Two Saints Charity, which offers accommodation and support for homeless people, during her year in office.

She also took the opportunity to welcome councillors Sally Pond and Alan Waterhouse, former Liberal Democrats, as new members of the Conservative Party and confirmed that this was the first “fully Tory members-only council” at EHDC.

Outgoing chairman David Ashcroft reported on the various events he attended during the course of his year in office and announced that he had raised close to £3,500 for his chosen charities, which included proceeds from his recent abseil down the Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth.

Mr Williams confirmed that he was looking forward to become “wing man” to Mrs Evans for the coming year, after sitting on the district council for 20 years.

After four years as leader of East Hampshire District Council, Mr Cowper was anticipating a smooth transition, handing over the leadership reins to Mr Millard who, he said, has matured and transformed from a business manager into a politician with leadership skills, who possesses the ability to accept the pitfalls of the job and is able to take on the challenge that is in front of him.

Mr Cowper referred to Mr Millard’s style as different, a change for the better, with an optimistic way of looking at the future, a need for freshness and a new perspective with a different method of engagement.

He said he felt that Mr Millard would be a leader the whole community could respect and gave him his full support.

He in turn paid tribute to Mr Cowper, praising him for his strong leadership, for working hard and spending a lot of his personal time and dedication on council matters, adding that he had learned much from his predecessor about life in politics and office.

Mr Millard confirmed that his door would always be open and said that he was happy to enter into any discussions.

He offered his immense respect to the officers at EHDC, said that extreme and fundamental challenges lay ahead, and confirmed that he was pleased that Mr Cowper would be able to continue to assist with the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration project.

After his election as leader and strategy portfolio holder, Mr Millard revealed the make up of his cabinet.

They are Ferris Cowper (deputy leader, finance and Whitehill and Bordon portfolio holder), Julie Butler (customer relations portfolio holder), Glynis Watts (business support portfolio holder), Tony Costigan (commercial commissioning portfolio holder), Guy Shepherd (regeneration delivery portfolio holder), Angela Glass (planning portfolio holder), Bill Mouland (communications and PR portfolio holder), Ingrid Thomas (neighbourhoods and housing portfolio holder) and Adam Carew (welfare champion portfolio holder).