New council chair elected, with outgoing chair appointed to cabinet role

This follows the decision of Cllr Ruth Hendry, who was elected as chair at last month’s annual council meeting, to step down to take on the role of cabinet member for housing.

At last night’s full council meeting, Cllr Malvisi confirmed she would continue to support the Sudbury-based domestic abuse charity Compassion, which had been Cllr Hendry’s chosen charity for the year.

Cllr Malvisi, who is also Babergh’s domestic abuse champion, told the meeting: “I hope that I am able to help raise the profile of this charity, and to raise awareness that this is 2025 and we are still living with horrendous domestic abuse in our homes and in our communities.”

The charity runs programmes to support survivors of domestic abuse and provide outreach to schools to empower young people to engage in healthy relationships.

At last night's meeting, Cllr Lee Parker was elected as council vice-chair – replacing Cllr Malvisi as she stepped back up to the role of chair.

Pictured: Cllr Ruth Hendy, left, has stepped down from the role of council chair to become cabinet member for housing, with Cllr Elisabeth Malvisi, right, stepping up from the role of vice-chair