Bath & North East Somerset Council formally appointed its
new Chairman at the Council’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 8
May.
Councillor David Bellotti takes over the role from the outgoing
Chairman, Councillor Ian Dewey.
The Chairman of the Council is elected annually in May and
chairs all meetings of the full Council, as well as representing
the people of Bath & North East Somerset and the Council at
ceremonial, civic and other occasions.
Cllr Bellotti, who was Deputy Chair, has been on the Council since
2003, representing the Lyncombe Ward (Lib/Dem). He was the
first ever Member of Parliament elected as a Liberal Democrat
(Eastbourne1990) and went on to become a member of parliamentary
committees on planning, disability living and working allowances
and local government finance.
Before becoming an MP he worked for 26 years with the YMCA as
youth worker, housing manager, outreach worker, regional officer
and Director and was responsible for setting up youth, housing,
sports and employment training schemes.
Councillor Bellotti was formerly a member of East Sussex County
Council for 16 years. He has a strong interest in Association
Football, is married to Jo and has two young children.
The theme for Councillor Bellotti’s year as Chair of Bath &
North East Somerset Council will be “The Family” and he is
keen to visit and work with young people and family-based
organisations throughout the community.
During his year in office the Chair has chosen to support three
local charities: The Quartet Community FoundationThe Royal
United Hospital Forever Friends NICU Space to Grow Appeal and the
City of Bath YMCA which supports young people throughout the
area. He has several fundraising events planned,
including the Chair’s Charity Ball on Friday 20 March 2009.
He is also Vice-Chair of the Avon Pension Fund Committee,
Vice-Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young
People Board and a
Director of LACORS – Local Authorities Co-ordinators of
Regulatory Services.
Cllr Bellotti said: “It’s a real privilege to be asked to be the
Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council this year. I look
forward to a busy and fulfilling term of office and to meeting many
members of our local community in my civic role. “
His new deputy is Cllr Bryan Chalker (Con) who represents
Lambridge Ward. He is a former police officer, professional
broadcaster, freelance journalist,recording artist and has
written and published four books He is the Council Member
Champion for Heritage & Historic
Environment.
