Philip Williams, an Alsager town and Cheshire East councillor, took over from Peter Hirst as chair of the Congleton Constituency Liberal Democrats on New Years Day.

This follows the election of new executive officers at the party's Congleton Constituency AGM on 27 November.

Cllr Williams was elected unanimously after Dr Peter Hirst of Middlewich stood down after three years in the role.

Cllr Williams said: "The executive are very grateful for Peter's hard work during his time as chair and hope that he will continue to play an active part in the constituency."

Congleton town councillor Suzy Firkin was elected deputy chair and Holmes Chapel Parish councillor Diane Tams takes on the roles as secretary.

Robert Douglas, another Congleton town councillor continues as treasurer with Michelle Johnson of Sandbach taking on the role of membership development officer.

A further six executive committee members were confirmed including former parliamentary candidate and constituency chair Peter Hirst.

Other committee members are former Alsager town and Cheshire East councillor Shirley Jones and current Alsager ward and town councillor June Buckley, Peter Hughes and Robert Hemsley of Congleton and Vic Brown representing Hulme Walfield and Somerford Booths.

An additional two representatives from each branch (Alsager, Congleton and Sandbach) will be elected at local branch meetings in the New Year.

The new chair, Cllr Williams, has been involved with the local Liberal Democrats since moving to the area in 2007. He was elected onto Alsager Town Council in 2015 and onto both the town and Cheshire East councils in 2019.

He is recently widowed with two grown up daughters and prior to the pandemic very involved with community arts groups, an involvement he continues online. Cllr Williams works as a freelance market researcher, writer and copy editor.

"The political scene has been in turmoil for these last few years, and it's been a particularly turbulent time for the Liberal Democrats", said Cllr Williams.

"Nevertheless, the many strengths that drew me to the party in the first place remain unchanged - an outstanding commitment to our communities, the doggedness to see things through, an emphasis on freedom of speech and expression and a local track record in getting things done.

"Once again, the Liberal Democrats are making a difference on Congleton Town Council. The Liberal Democrats currently have councillors across the Congleton Constituency.

"Seven serve on Congleton Town Council and six on Alsager. There are also Liberal Democrats on Holmes Chapel, Odd Rode and Hulme Walfield and Somerford Booths parish councils.

"Our aim is to see more Liberal Democrat councillors at parish, town and borough level.

"If we stick to our principles and deliver on our promises we will continue to be a force for good and a force for change in the years to come."

There are four Liberal Democrat ward members on Cheshire East, Denis Murphy from Congleton East, Rod Fletcher, June Buckley and Philip Williams representing Alsager.