Meet the new Lichfield District Council chairperson Councillor Keith Vernon - the first in 18 months

Two candidates were nominated to the Lichfield District Council position, however former dentist Councillor Keith Vernon was narrowly elected to the role.

Outgoing chair, Councillor Ann Hughes was elected to the position in December 2023, following the resignation of Councillor Derick Cross from the position. At last year’s annual meeting she was re-elected to the position.

However this year two candidates were nominated to the position, Councillors Keith Vernon and Andrew Rushton. Both candidates were first elected to the council at the last district wide election in 2023.

Councillor Miles Trent nominated Liberal Democrat colleague, Councillor Rushton, who served as vice-chair of the council since July last year. Councillor Trent said: “He has conducted himself extremely well in the vice-chair role.

“I’ve got no doubt he would do the same as chair of Lichfield District Council. I believe it has been extremely positive and refreshing to have our youngest district councillor as vice chair of this council and likewise it would send a great signal to have a younger person as chair.

In nominating Councillor Vernon to the position, Councillor Phil Whitehouse said: “Keith’s previous background before he got into local politics was as a dentist and therefore he’s very used to dealing with large numbers of people, people in difficult circumstances and I think that’s shown through in the way he communicates with not just councillors but other people on different committees.”

Following an extremely close vote, Councillor Vernon was declared council chairperson. He won 23 votes compared to 21 for Councillor Rushton. The council meeting also saw Councillor Thomas Marshall elected to the role as vice-chair following an election against Councillor Sharon Taylor.

Speaking for the first time as chairperson of the council, Councillor Keith Vernon said: “First I would like to thank councillors for their support. In fact for me it’s a huge honour and I can say I and my consort will continue to represent the council with dignity and propriety.”

Tributes were paid to outgoing chairperson, Councillor Ann Hughes. The new chairperson said: “I would like to thank Councillor Ann Hughes for admirably carrying out her duties, representing the council over the past 18 months and for ensuring our council meetings were decorous and always progressed without any hitches. I hope I can emulate everything she has done over the past 18 months.”

Following the election and after she had resumed her seat the Stowe councillor thanked councillors. Councillor Hughes said “It’s been an enormous privilege to serve as the chair of Lichfield District Council for the last 18 months. Chairing the actual meetings has sometimes been a challenge but that’s been a real pleasure, at least surviving each one has.

“It’s been a great pleasure and I could have probably have done more, but it’s been a great pleasure to know more about the wider district and the many charitable and community activities that residents put so much into.”