The Council’s new Leader and Cabinet

Published: Wednesday, 15th May 2024

Cllr Roddy Hogarth was elected as Sevenoaks District Council’s new Leader at the Annual Council meeting on Tuesday 14 May 2024.

Cllr Hogarth, who represents Seal and Weald, was first elected to the Council in May 2011. He brings a wealth of leadership experience having previously been the Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Development for three years then the Commissioner for the Public Realm for a further four years.

Outside of the Council, Cllr Hogarth is the Head of Regional Development at International Management Systems Marketing, an ISO specialist.

Cllr Hogarth says: “I am delighted to have been elected as Leader of Sevenoaks District Council. It is an honour and a privilege.

“My new Cabinet will be focused on delivering the Council’s ambitions around regeneration and economic development across the District, protecting our weekly waste collection service and delivering a new Local Plan to ensure planning decisions are retained locally, rather than handed over to national Planning Inspectors.”

“I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Cllr Julia Thornton who worked hard to set a balanced council budget for the coming year, despite the huge pressures of inflation on the Council’s finances. Cllr Thornton is an immense talent who will continue to be a key part of my new Cabinet Team.

“Cllr Perry Cole remains our Deputy Leader and our Cabinet Member for Housing and Health, Cllr Kevin Maskell the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cllr Lesley Dyball for People and Places.

“Joining the new Cabinet are Cllr Michael Horwood, who takes on the Improvement and Innovation role, and Cllr Irene Roy, our Cabinet Member for Cleaner and Greener.”