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Councillor Ian Roberts, Leader of Flintshire County Council

Published: 12/04/2019

Councillor Roberts retired two years ago having taught in mainly primary schools for 36 years.  He had a number of roles in schools, finishing his career as acting head teacher.

He has been a Town Councillor in Flint for 30 years where he has served as Mayor of Flint no less than three times, served on Delyn Borough Council and, since 1995, on Flintshire County Council.

He has been Chair of the Council’s Audit Committee and Chair of Life Long Learning /Education and Youth Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  He has been Cabinet Member for Education and Youth since 2017.

He is Chair of Flint Town Re-Development Steering Group and has been Governor of a number of schools in the Flint area.

He is a passionate football fanatic and an Everton season ticket holder.

At the Council meeting on 9 April, when he was overwhelmingly voted in as Leader, Councillor Roberts thanked his colleagues for their support. 

In his speech, Councillor Roberts said:

“We must remember that the business of the Council is providing services for all of the 160,000 residents of Flintshire. 

“As members, we need to refocus ourselves as a Council and concentrate on the services that we provide.  We also need to restore trust with each other, with officers and with the public.  We live in tumultuous political times, but our concern is the people of Flintshire.  So let’s go forward for the benefit of Flintshire and let’s achieve the best possible council by working together and having trust.

“Members need to ensure that council tax payers are getting the best possible value for money.  Every decision must be scrutinised robustly and, where necessary, changes made.  The Council must work as one body focussed on the provision of services throughout the county.”

The Leader is elected annually at the main Council meeting and, at that meeting, the Leader will announce their Cabinet. 

In the intervening period, Councillor Roberts will remain Cabinet Member for Education and Youth and will manage Cabinet affairs with a reduced number of six Cabinet members.  Portfolios remain unchanged, except for Finance which Councillor Roberts will manage, and Housing which Councillor Derek Butler will take on as well as his role of Cabinet Member for Economic Development.

After the Annual General Meeting on 7 May, the Cabinet will resume as usual for the following 12 months.