New leader appointed at Forest of Dean District Council

Councillors voted in favour of appointing Cllr Adrian Birch as Leader of Forest of Dean District Council at the meeting for full council held on Thursday 18 April 2024.

Cllr Adrian Birch said: "It is a great honour to be named as leader of Forest of Dean District Council and it was gratifying to receive such emphatic cross-party support. I am excited to get to work and deliver on our ambitious priorities on behalf of all the residents, communities, and businesses in the Forest.

"I would like to take the opportunity to thank Cllr Topping for all his hard work in the role and know that he will continue to provide great service as a councillor for residents in Lydney West & Aylburton and the wider Forest of Dean. In his year as leader, he's laid a solid foundation for us to continue to build on.

"As a council, we want to help our communities and local economy to thrive, whilst ensuring that we protect and enhance our natural environment and be on target to be carbon neutral by 2030. I'm thrilled to help deliver on these targets and look forward to working with councillors, officers, and partners to provide long-lasting benefits for people across the district.

"I am looking forward to starting work as leader and am confident that together we can achieve great things for the Forest of Dean, while also providing the council services we all expect."

Full details for the new leader, as well as information on Cabinet Members and their responsibilities can be found here: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/about-the-council/cabinet-roles-and-responsibilities/