The “annual” Council meeting on 18 May, at which the new Mayor was elected, marked the start of the new year for the Council, with new appointments to the Council’s committees.

Trish remains a member of the important Housing, Economy and Business Committee, and is a member, as is Richard, of the sub-group that is re-writing the local plan for Sutton. This is vital work.

Richard remains chair of the Planning Committee but has taken on new responsibilities as Lead Member on Human Resources. As such, he now chairs both of the Council committees that act as a channel of liaison with recognised trade unions, the Council and Employees Joint Committee and the Joint Health and Safety Committee. He also represents the Council on the Greater London Employment Forum and the Greater London Provincial Council.

Richard is also a member of the Strategy and Resources Committee and the Standards Committee. Gloria (Richard’s wife) sometimes reminds him he is supposed to be retired.

Both Richard and Trish are members of the South Sutton, Cheam and Belmont Local Committee.