Gary Sumner elected Leader of Swindon Borough Council

Swindon Borough Council chose a new Leader on the afternoon of Friday 22 May 2026. At the annual council meeting at the Civic Offices, attended by all 57 councillors, Councillor Gary Sumner, leader of the Conservative group, was elected after a vote.

He leads a Conservative minority administration, the party having decided not to enter a formal coalition. Cllr Sumner said the administration would work with colleagues across the council to find common ground.

Who is in the Cabinet?

The Cabinet is the Leader plus nine councillors:

• Cllr Gary Sumner, Leader: inward investment, economic development, the Local Plan and local, regional and national relations
• Cllr Jake Chandler, Deputy Leader: strategy, resilience and green infrastructure
• Cllr Vinay Manro: adults and health
• Cllr Keith Williams: finance, recovery and transformation
• Cllr Matthew Courtliff: housing and property
• Cllr Kate Tomlinson: children and education
• Cllr Nick Gardiner: highways and transport
• Cllr Matt Vallender: culture, planning and regeneration
• Cllr Kevin Parry: recycling and streetscene
• Cllr Matt Hinton: community engagement, safety and services

New Mayor

Cllr Neil Hopkins was elected Mayor for the municipal year, succeeding Fay Howard, and Cllr Gayle Cook was elected Deputy Mayor.

Cllr Sumner said: "It's a privilege to take on the role of Leader at such an important time for Swindon."

Source: Swindon Borough Council.

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