Babergh District Councillors today (April 15th) elected Cllr. Jennie Jenkins, ward member for Leavenheath and Assington, as the new Chairman of the south Suffolk council for 2008/09.
Cllr. Jenkins thanked her predecessor, Cllr. Rex Thake, for all of his care and hard work over the previous two years and expressed her hope that she would be able to best represent Babergh during what promises to be a year of great changes.
“Babergh is a wonderful part of the world. I ‘m honoured to have been made Chairman of the Council and hope that both my professional background working in an environment of change and my being a ‘people person’ will allow me to continue positively contributing to the well-being of residents, staff and Councillors.
“I hope to be a supportive friend to everyone connected with Babergh.
“Local government never stands still, but with the review into the future structure of Suffolk’s councils underway and the ongoing pressures for ever more efficient delivery of services, the next 12 months are likely to be very challenging for residents, staff and councillors alike."
Cllr. Jenkins outlined that the two charities that she will be supporting this year are the Suffolk branch of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding.
Explaining her choice, Cllr. Jenkins said: “My father was in the Army and I was very proud of his military service. Equally, I am very aware with military bases on either side of Babergh – at Colchester and Wattisham – of the debt owed by the country to those men and women who are presently in active service and the need to support them and their families.
“I’ve been a keen horsewoman since I first rode – at the age of 18 months! I support the centre because of the opportunities it gives children with disabilities to learn new skills and exercise in the open air." ENDS.
More information about the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Council and committees.
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