Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet for the new municipal year was agreed at the Annual Council meeting on Wednesday 13 May.
 

• Leader - Strategic Leadership - Cllr Susan Juned
• Deputy Leader and Planning and Economic Development Portfolio - Cllr George Cowcher
• Law and Governance Portfolio - Cllr Natalie Gist
• Environment and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio - Cllr Lorraine Grocott
• Resources Portfolio - Cllr David Curtis
• Housing and Customer Services - Cllr Liz Coles
• Projects and Communications - Cllr Louis Adam

Cllr Susan Juned, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "In the last year, we continued to deliver on our Council Plan. The District Council is now the No 1 council in England for recycling, thanks to the brilliant work done by residents and council staff.

"The District Council remains in a financially sound position as we set our budget for this year. A theme of partnership and community engagement led the budget. By working with partners, a new plan has been developed to improve health and wellbeing across the District including in areas of deprivation. The rise in the cost of living because of conflicts across the world is affecting our residents so we are continuing to tackle fuel poverty and energy efficiency, improve economic development and improve communications.

"New projects have been delivered across the District to support village halls and community groups to address energy costs, plant trees, tackle flood resilience and improve nature in their areas. Health initiatives have included health screening events and improved exercise support. We have continued to address rural crime and support volunteer driving schemes as well as delivering all the other services of the District Council.

"We have two big challenges ahead with the Local Plan and Local Government Reorganisation. The South Warwickshire Local Plan will soon be going to the final Regulation 19 consultation before being submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. We have had to address the requirements of Government for an almost 100% increase in housing numbers to be built by 2050.

"In November 2025, Stratford-on-Avon District Council formally endorsed a proposal for the creation of two new unitary authorities in Warwickshire, one covering the north of the county and another covering south Warwickshire. This was formally submitted to Government, and we are now waiting for their decision - expected in July. Unless there are any delays in the Government's decisions, there will be elections to a shadow authority in May 2027, and the new unitary council will start in April 2028.

"We continue to look ahead to find ways to improve the services that the District Council currently delivers to residents and to anticipate the changes that will come as the result of the new unitary Council."

Portfolio details

Leader - Strategic Leadership - Cllr Susan Juned (Alcester East Ward)

• Climate Change
• Corporate Policy
• Human Resources
• Partnerships
• Performance, Consultation and Insight

Deputy Leader and Planning and Economic Development- Cllr George Cowcher (Wellesbourne South Ward)

• Building Control, including Street Naming
• CIL/S106
• Development Management and Enforcement
• Economic Development and Tourism
• Land Charges
• Physical Infrastructure (Transport, Energy, etc)
• Planning Policy
• South Warwickshire Local Plan
• Strategic Housing

Law and Governance - Cllr Natalie Gist (Bishops Itchington, Fenny Compton and Napton Ward)

• Asset Management
• Community Safety and CCTV
• Corporate Governance
• Democratic Services
• Information Governance
• Joint Legal Service
• Property and Estates

Environmental and Neighbourhood Services - Cllr Lorraine Grocott (Stratford Avenue Ward)

• Construction and Premises
• Contracted Services (Refuse and Recycling, Street Cleansing, Grounds Maintenance)
• Emergency Planning and Business Continuity
• Environmental Health and Licensing
• Green Spaces - Development
• Markets and Events
• Parking Services
• Personal Assistant Team
• Sports and Leisure

Resources - Cllr David Curtis (Stratford Shottery Ward)

• Audit and Risk
• Budget and Finance
• ICT
• Internal Audit

Housing and Customer Services - Cllr Liz Coles (Stratford Hathaway Ward)

• Community Leadership, Forums, Voluntary Community Services
• Customer Services (including Visitor Information Centre)
• Health and Wellbeing
• Housing and Homelessness
• Print and Design Team
• Revenues and Benefits
• Safeguarding

Projects and Communications - Cllr Louis Adam (Southam North and Long Itchington)

• Corporate Communications and Public Relations
• Project and Transformation Team