Councillor Adrian England Appointed Leader at Dacorum Borough Council

Councillor Adrian England Leader of the Council

At Dacorum Borough Council’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday 15 May 2024, changes to the administration’s leadership and cabinet positions were announced to members and the public.

In May 2023, the Liberal Democrats were elected as the majority party in Dacorum, winning 28 of 51 seats at the borough elections.

Cllr Ron Tindall, who had been the opposition leader in Dacorum for 8 years, took on the role of Leader for the first year of the new administration. Ron will remain on the Cabinet as the People and Transformation Portfolio Holder and continue in his role as Councillor for the constituents in the Adeyfield West Ward.

Deputy Leader of Dacorum, Cllr Adrian England, has been selected within the Liberal Democrat party to become the new Leader of the Council, as the administration prepares to publish its first Corporate Plan this summer. Cllr Simy Dhyani has been selected as Deputy Leader of the Council.

Councillor Tindall said: ‘After a busy and fulfilling year as Leader of Dacorum Borough Council, I have taken the decision to step back from the leadership role. I will continue to support the great work we have achieved over the years through my position as Portfolio Holder for People and Transformation, and my role as ward councillor. I wish Adrian and Simy every success in their new roles and look forward to continuing to represent my Adeyfield West constituents.’

Councillor Adrian England has been a Dacorum Borough Councillor since September 2016. While in opposition, he became Shadow Portfolio-Holder for Neighbourhoods in 2019 with a focus on Climate matters, and has served on several committees including Housing & Communities Scrutiny Committee and Health in Dacorum. Since last May, Adrian has served as Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate and Ecological Emergency.

Adrian has a background in Marketing and Communications focused in the Housing and Health sectors. In 2021, he was elected to Hertfordshire County Council, serving on the Environment Cabinet Panel and representing the Division of Hemel Town, which includes Boxmoor and Apsley.

Councillor England said: ‘Firstly, I want to thank Ron for his dedication to our local community and his leadership over the last 9 years. I am honoured to take on the role of Leader of Dacorum, my home since 1996. With fantastic leisure and business facilities on our doorstep, coupled with a rich history and ecology, it makes the borough such an amazing place to live. I am looking forward to empowering residents to be more involved with council decisions through their elected representatives as we publish our first corporate plan which will set out how we are planning to overcome the challenges we face across housing, planning, environment and the climate emergency.’

The full changes to Dacorum Borough’s Cabinet are as follows:

  • Councillor Adrian England, Leader of the Council
  • Councillor Simy Dhyani, Deputy Leader and Housing and Property Services Portfolio Holder
  • Councillor Ron Tindall, People and Transformation Portfolio Holder
  • Councillor Sheron Wilkie, Place Portfolio Holder
  • Councillor Robin Bromham, Neighbourhood Operations Portfolio Holder
  • Councillor Michela Capozzi, Corporate and Commercial Portfolio Holder
  • Councillor William Allen, Climate and Ecological Emergency Portfolio Holder