New Chairman confirmed at Annual Council

Cllr Elliott received the chain of office from outgoing Chairman Cllr Barbara Johnson at the Annual Council meeting on Monday 20 May 2024.

The Chairman, whose role is ceremonial, represents the council at civic functions and at local events around the district.

Cllr Elliott said: “I consider it a great honour to be asked to serve as chairman of Harborough District Council, and I look forward to meeting as many people as possible in the district over the coming year.

“I have lived in Scraptoft all my life being educated at Thurnby C of E School and Gartree High School, Oadby, and have worked in the horticultural industry.”

Cllr Elliott was elected as a Harborough District Councillor in Thurnby and Houghton ward in 2013 and was Vice Chairman in 2023/24. He has been a member of Scraptoft Parish Council for the past 31 years and chaired the parish council for 29 years. Together with being instrumental in the planning and building of the new community hub in Scraptoft.

Cllr Elliott’s interests include gardening and painting, and he is an avid railway enthusiast.

The new Chairman’s chosen charity for the year will be Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.

The Vice Chairman will be Cllr Peter James, ward councillor for the Little Bowden ward in Market Harborough.   

Outgoing Chairman Cllr Barbara Johnson, who represents the Logan ward in Market Harborough, thanked those who had supported her during her year in office.

During her time in office, Cllr Johnson fundraised for charities Living Without Abuse and the Derbyshire Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance.