Member Article

New leadership team for Cumbria CC’s 40th year

A new Chairman and Vice Chairman of Cumbria County Council have been appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

Cllr Geoff Cook, Liberal Democrat member for Kendal Highgate, is the Chairman for 2014/15, and Cllr Mel Worth, Labour member for Walney North, is the new Vice Chairman.

Cllr Cook was the Vice Chairman for 2013/14 and will now step up to be the main civic representative of the county council.

Born in 1954, Cllr Cook worked for many years as a manager with the National Bus Company and since 1995 he has worked as a Freelance Tourist Guide, primarily in the Lake District, showcasing the delights of Cumbria to visitors.

Since being a member of the county council he has been particularly involved with the work of South Lakeland Local Committee, having been its chair for several years.

He was handed the chain of office by outgoing Chairman Alan Barry, Labour member for St Michael’s in Workington at the Full Council meeting in Kendal today (links to pictures underneath copy).

Cllr Geoff Cook, Chairman of Cumbria County Council, speaking on his election said: “I am both proud and delighted to hold the honorary role of Chairman especially in this the council’s 40th year. I am looking forward to a busy and exciting year that includes such notable events such as the start of the First World War 100 years ago and 70 years since the end of the Second World War.

“I find it hard to believe that I have been entrusted with this honour and I am really looking forward to representing Cumbria and its communities in the year ahead.”

Cllr Mel Worth added by saying that he was looking forward to the year ahead. “As Vice Chairman, I will be supporting the Chairman over the coming year and am very pleased to have been asked to offer this support”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .