Council confirm leadership positions after May votes
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL have confirmed its new administration and cabinet alongside its re-elected leader after the local elections on May 7 across the region, which resulted in no political party gaining overall control and has been followed by decisions about how the authority will be governed.
At the County Council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last Thursday (May 21), Councillor Nick Adams-King was elected as Leader and will continuing his role in heading up the authority. He will oversee the delivery of essential local services that impact on all aspects of everyday life for 1.4 million people living in the County Council area; covering schools, tips, roads and social care to access to the countryside and libraries.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Adams-King said: “It is an enormous honour to be elected once again as Leader of Hampshire County Council. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me. The Administration I lead will be collegiate, cooperative, and transparent. We will work constructively with Members across the Council, and we will listen to residents, communities, parish and district councils, our staff, and our partners.”
“We will invest in Hampshire’s roads – investing £15 million in additional funding, targeted at making journeys safer and reducing repeat repairs. We will protect Hampshire’s environment – defend our landscapes where we can, support farmers and land managers, and expand access to green spaces while protecting them for future generations.”
We will support our local economy. Our businesses are the backbone of Hampshire. We will champion local enterprise, support skills and apprenticeships, and work with partners to revitalise high streets and improve infrastructure.
“We will stand up for Hampshire in the face of Local Government Reorganisation. I have been clear throughout: the outcome of this process has profound long-term consequences for our residents, our services, our staff, our finances and the identity of Hampshire itself. That is why I confirm today that this administration will move immediately to pursue a Judicial Review of the Local Government Reorganisation outcome.”
“We will spend money wisely. The financial pressures facing councils are real. We will be honest with residents about the challenges we face. We will protect essential services wherever we can and continue to press for fairer funding. We will look for savings, operate efficiently, and ensure every pound is well spent.”
He concluded: “Hampshire has enormous strengths: dedicated staff, strong communities, businesses, volunteers, teachers, social workers, carers, and residents who care deeply about where they live and we will begin this new council with seriousness, humility, and determination for the benefit of our communities.”
The new County Council Cabinet will meet next month for the first time and will consist of: Councillor Nick Adams-King (Leader & Executive Member for Corporate Services), Councillor Kirsty North (Deputy Leader & Executive Lead Member for Universal Services), Councillor Roz Chadd (Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services), Councillor Zoe Huggins (Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health), Councillor Joanne Burton (Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing), Councillor Steve Forster (Executive Member for Highways & Passenger Transport), Councillor Juliet Henderson (Executive Member for Education), Councillor Stephen Reid (Executive Member for Corporate Services – Finance) and Councillor Andy Tree (Executive Member for Corporate Services, People & Local Government Reorganisation).
Councillor Pal Hayre was further elected as the County Council Chairman. Councillor Hayre has been serving as Vice Chairman since 2025 and is the County Councillor for Fareham Crofton, since 2017. She is a Governor at Baycroft School in Stubbington and a strong supporter of local charities and community organisations. As the civic head of the county, Councillor Hayre will represent the Authority on any royal visits and ceremonial occasions in Hampshire as well as carry out other civic activities and duties.
She will further preside over County Council meetings and ensures they are conducted in line with standing orders and that they are a forum for debating issues. Councillor Louise Parker-Jones, County Councillor for Bishopstoke & Fair Oak, was elected as Vice Chairman during the meeting.
The new makeup of Hampshire County Council shows the Conservatives having a third of the seats with twenty-seven councillors, with the Liberal Democrats having twenty-six and Reform UK earning twenty. The Labour Party and Green Party have one councillor each alongside one Independent, 1 Whitehill & Bordon Community Party representative, and a Councill elected from Community Campaign (Hart).
PICTURED (LEFT TO RIGHT): Cllr Stephen Reid, Cllr Nick Adams-King, Cllr Roz Chadd, Cllr Juliet Henderson, Cllr Zoe Huggins, Cllr Kirsty North, Cllr Andy Tree (back row), Cllr Joanne Burton and Cllr Steve Forster pose for photograph after meeting on Thursday.
