Lincolnshire County Council's new Executive and their support councillors have been confirmed today at the AGM of Lincolnshire County Council.

Boston councillor Michael Brookes, has also been re-elected as county council chairman, at the AGM of the full council this morning.

The meeting, held at the Lincolnshire Showground, was the first 'in-person' meeting the county council has held since March last year due to the pandemic.

Council leader Martin Hill (Con- Folkingham Rural) said: "This is a strong Executive and I'm confident we will provide effective leadership for services we provide for the people of Lincolnshire. And we've got a good selection of Executive Support Councillors who will play an important part in this.

"Now we are ready to push ahead with our very strong manifesto. We want to keep council tax low, provide good quality services, and support an ambitious programme of building and development which includes schools and broadband as well as roads.

Coun Hill, who was safely re-elected on May 6, continued: "Of course roads is still an important issue and a recurring theme on residents' minds during the election period was concerns about potholes so we'll be targeting this area to improve maintaining our roads to a good standard.

"Fly-tipping was also a major issue on the doorstep and we'll be looking to tackle this growing national problem with more support. And we'll continue to prioritise the support for our most vulnerable residents from children's to adult services so that our residents are safe and protected from harm."

He added: "In previous years we've been campaigning to secure more funding for the authority and we'll continue to press our case with Government for fairer funding we deserve for the services we provide to our residents. We aren't asking for any special sums above and beyond, only that which is fair and reasonable in relation to what other areas of the country receive."

Coun Brookes was also recently re-elected as county councillor for Boston Rural on Thursday 6 May. Coun Brookes lives in Swineshead and has served with the authority for 12 years. His vice chairman will be Councillor Alison Austin.

He has been impressed by the resilience and resourcefulness of Lincolnshire residents in the face of the Covid 19 pandemic over the last 13 months.

Coun Brookes said: "There's no doubt that the last year has been incredibly difficult for many residents and businesses. I've been impressed at how communities have pulled together and supported each other, and also proud that the county council continued to deliver key services, and support vulnerable people during these very challenging times.

"The work of the county's key workers, carers, community groups and individuals has been nothing short of amazing in these uncertain times. The hard work that has gone into ensuring the vaccination programme continues to be a success is truly tremendous and I am grateful for all they have done for us.

"Over the next year I'm looking forward to supporting the county as we follow the road map out of lockdown. While we need to be cautious and follow guidelines, I'm hopeful that there is much to look forward to now, as we ease back to normality.

"And I'm looking forward to celebrating all things Lincolnshire on October 1st, which is Lincolnshire Day."

As part of the Chairman's role, Cllr Brookes will be supporting celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee next year. To mark this historic event, people are being encouraged to plant trees to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee from October 2021, when the planting season begins, to June 2022.

Cllr Brookes will be supported during his term of office by his wife and Chairman's Lady, Jackie.

Cllr Brookes' chosen charities for the year are Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and LIVES. He looks forward to supporting them during his year in office.