A Herefordshire town council has a youthful new chairman after the regular incumbent was signed off sick.
Joe Hamblin was only co-opted onto Ledbury Town Council in April while still in his 20s, having made a name for himself in the town and online as the “Ledbury Litterpicker”.
Then at May’s Annual Meeting in the town he was made Deputy Chairman of the council, with Coun Elizabeth Harvey reappointed as Chairman.
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Usually the role of chairman is held alongside that of Mayor, but Coun Harvey once again declined this additional role on health grounds.
Then at a meeting on June 25 Coun Hamblin, by now acting Chairman, told fellow members that Coun Harvey was now home but that she had been signed off for at least six weeks and that she would be working remotely in the meantime, minutes show.
“She is on the mend and will be back in short order,” he later added.
So far his duties in the role have included attending the town’s Flag Raising during last month’s Armed Forces Week among other civic events.
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The meeting he chaired discussed moving the town council's base from the current half-timbered building at the foot of Church Street, to the historic Masters House across the High Street.
“The current building is lovely but has issues with internet access and ventilation,” Coun Hamblin said. “For now we are just exploring options.”
Coun Harvey also represents Ledbury North ward as part of the Independents for Herefordshire group on Herefordshire Council. She was unable to attend its Scrutiny Management Board meeting earlier this week.
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