Council chairman re-elected and looking forward to supporting Lincolnshire's Covid recovery

Cllr michael brookes, chairman

Cllr Michael Brookes, has been re-elected as county council chairman, at the AGM of the full council on Friday 21 May.

This was the first council meeting to be held face to face since Thursday 19 March 2020, and held according to full Covid secure guidelines. 

Cllr Brookes was also recently re-elected as county councillor for Boston Rural on Thursday 6 May. Cllr Brookes lives in Swineshead and has served with the authority for 12 years. His vice chairman will be Councillor Alison Austin.

He has been impressed by the resilience and resourcefulness of Lincolnshire residents in the face of the Covid 19 pandemic over the last 13 months. 

Cllr Brookes said: "There's no doubt that the last year has been incredibly difficult for many residents and businesses. I've been impressed at how communities have pulled together and supported each other, and also proud that the county council continued to deliver key services, and support vulnerable people during these very challenging times. 

"The work of the county's key workers, carers, community groups and individuals has been nothing short of amazing in these uncertain times. The hard work that has gone into ensuring the vaccination programme continues to be a success is truly tremendous and I am grateful for all they have done for us.

"Over the next year I'm looking forward to supporting the county as we follow the road map out of lockdown. While we need to be cautious and follow guidelines, I'm hopeful that there is much to look forward to now, as we ease back to normality.

"And I'm looking forward to celebrating all things Lincolnshire on October 1, which is Lincolnshire Day." 

As part of the Chairman's role, Cllr Brookes will be supporting celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee next year. To mark this historic event, people are being encouraged to plant trees to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee from October 2021, when the planting season begins, to June 2022. 

Cllr Brookes will be supported during his term of office by his wife and Chairman's Lady, Jackie.

Cllr Brookes' chosen charities for the year are Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and LIVES. He looks forward to supporting them during his year in office.

Published: 21st May 2021