Coalition council chooses Liberal Democrat leader

Councillor Rollings was chosen as leader at the first council meeting since the elections

Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Rollings has been confirmed as the new leader of Elmbridge Borough Council.

He was chosen at the first council meeting held since the local elections.

The council will continue to be run as a coalition between the Liberal Democrats and Residents’ Association councillors.

Gaining four more seats at the elections, the Lib Dems are still the largest party taking their total number to 23.

Councillor Simon Waugh, from the Esher Residents’ Association group, continues to be the council’s deputy leader for a second year.

Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Houston was elected mayor for the coming year, after being deputy the previous year, and Conservative councillor Steve Bax was selected as deputy mayor.

The mayor’s role is to represent the council at formal and ceremonial events, chair council meetings and be the “first citizen of the borough”.