THE man set to become the new leader of Essex County Council (ECC) has vowed to "reach for the stars" after unveiling his proposed cabinet.

Conservative councillor Kevin Bentley, who represents Stanway and Pyefleet, will be formally nominated as the council's new leader at the annual council meeting on Tuesday, 25 May.

The Basildon area has two representatives in the cabinet - both from the Wickford Crouch ward.

Cllr Tony Ball will have responsibility for Education Excellence, Skills and Training, while Cllr Malcolm Buckley will be responsible for Waste Reduction and Recycling – an interesting position as he may find the debate about the controversial new recycling plant proposed for Burnt Mills on his desk!

The authority remains under the clear political control of the Conservatives, who have a significant majority after 52 of the total 75 seats were taken by the party's candidates at local elections last Thursday (6 May).

The new Cabinet will have 10 members, with each one taking responsibility for particular portfolios of work.

The new Cabinet appointments and portfolios are set to be formally approved later this week and are as follows:

- Cllr Kevin Bentley - Leader of the Council

- Cllr Louise McKinlay (Brentwood Hutton)– Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community, Equality, Partnerships and Performance

- Cllr John Spence (Chelmer) – Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health

- Cllr Chris Whitbread (North Weald and Nazeing) – Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Corporate Affairs

- Cllr Lee Scott (Chigwell and Loughton Broadway) – Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport

- Cllr Lesley Wagland – Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning

- Cllr Tony Ball (Wickford Crouch) - Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Skills and Training

- Cllr Malcolm Buckley (Wickford Crouch) – Cabinet Member for Waste Reduction and Recycling

- Cllr Beverly Egan (Thundersley) – Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Early Years

- Cllr Graham Butland (Three Fields with Great Notley), Cabinet Member for Devolution, Art, Heritage and Culture

Cllr Bentley said: "Our agenda will be built on the three guiding principles of ambition, renewal and equality.

"Our ambition is to reach for the stars – we want to be the best county council in the country, offering the best services and value-for-money to residents. There is no better example of this than our ambition to meet our climate change targets before 2050.

"As we emerge from the pandemic, renewal means we must do we all we can to help rebuild our economy, develop future skills, encourage training and promote tourism and arts, leading to new jobs.

"Equality of opportunity means helping people to succeed, to receive an excellent education and to feel safe to be on our streets. It means high standards in social care of adults, children and vulnerable people. We will invest in mental health care to ensure that mental health is no barrier to a successful career or job."