New Leader in Hillingdon

By Louis Pender, Intern

This week saw history made in Hillingdon, with the election of a new Leader of the Council following the resignation of Cllr Sir Ray Puddifoot, earlier this year, following 20 years as Leader of the Council. Following a competitive leadership contest with Deputy Leader Cllr Jonathan Bianco ,Cllr Ian Edwards was elected  as the new leader of the Hillingdon Conservative Group. Given the Conservatives have a large majority on the Council this will translate to his being elected Leader of the Council on 14 January. 

Shortly after being elected as leader, he voiced his gratitude to his predecessor, Cllr Sir Ray, who he said had “done a  brilliant job over the last 20 years in leading the group and Hillingdon Council.”

Cllr Edwards represents the Eastcote & East Ruislip ward. He has had a varied career on the council having chaired the Central & South Planning Committee, HS2 Planning Sub Committee and most recently the Social Care, Housing & Public Health Policy Overview Committee. Cllr Edwards also served as a borough commander for the Metropolitan Police in Richmond on Thames. 

Coupled with the recent retirement of Hillingdon’s Deputy Chief Executive, this can very clearly be considered a new chapter in the civic life of the London Borough of Hillingdon and there is likely to be some changes in the Council administration in the coming months 

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Cllr Edwards and wish him every success in serving the local residents of Hillingdon!