New Council Chairman is Elected

Councillor Stephen Clee, Ward Member for Bewdley and Arley, was elected as the new Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council in May 2011.  He replaces outgoing Chairman, Councillor Gordon Yarranton.

After almost twenty years in local politics Councillor Stephen Clee is taking up the one role he has yet to fulfil – Chairman of the Council.  Since he first entered politics in 1992 Councillor Clee says there is not a job he hasn’t done on the Council, he has sat on every committee from licensing and enforcement to planning.  Now he is honoured and excited about taking on the civic and ceremonial role.  He said,

“I am delighted to be elected Chairman of the Council.  During Council meetings I hope to be firm but fair and inclusive as well, recognising the differences of opinion.  I have chaired many committees in the past but this is going to be my biggest challenge to date. It was a letter to a local paper which was to engage Councillor Clee in local politics.  He explains,

“I wrote a letter to the local newspaper and it had many passionate views about what was happening in the district.  I was then contacted by someone who’d read my letter and explained that my opinions were all regarding what happens on the district Council.  I was invited to a meeting of their Conservative group and the rest as they say is history.”

He was first elected to what was the Wribbenhall and Arley Ward in 1992, and with a short break between 1996 and 1998 he has been representing Bewdley and Arley ever since.  Councillor Clee became Leader of the Opposition Group in 2002 and by 2004 he took the number of the Conservative Councillors from 4 to nineteen and became Leader of the Council.

His recent role as Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and Prosperity was of great interest to him as his background is in the construction industry.  He is looking to promote the district further during his year as Chairman and wants to focus on local businesses employing local people.

“I have lived in the district all my life and I love this part of Worcestershire.  It is great we are so close to a major city yet surrounded by beautiful countryside.  We have everything on our doorstep including huge tourist attractions and there are some great opportunities for the district.  Wyre Forest is attracting big investment and I am proud that as a Council we’ve acted as a catalyst for this.  We are attracting visitors and businesses to invest in the district, for example we’ve got two hotel chains looking to locate here.  I am interested in visiting local business and talking to them about working in the Wyre Forest. ”

And just as the work of the Council was highlighted to him back in the late 80s when he wrote that letter to the local paper – he wants others to understand more about what the Council does.

For Councillor Clee, as well as a year in the Chair it will also be a year in the saddle.  He has dusted down his mountain bike and aims to get cycling around the district.

“During my year as Chair I am planning to get out on my bike more and cycle around some of our fantastic surroundings.  I recently took a trip from Stourport up the canal to Kidderminster and Wolverley and really enjoyed it.  I would like to become healthier and encourage more people to do so too.”

Councillor Clee has already completed his first formal engagement as Chairman of the Council.  He attended the Richard Baxter Lecture at Kidderminster Town Hall, the evening after he was elected.  He is now busy planning a whole programme of events to raise money for charity. 

Any business interested in a visit from Councillor Clee can email Karen Walsh or call her on 01562 732708

Issued on - 23rd May 2011