21 May 2026

South Cambridgeshire District Council has confirmed the Councillors who will take on leading roles in its Cabinet.

The appointments were confirmed at today’s (Thursday 21 May 2026) Annual Council Meeting at South Cambridgeshire Hall in Cambourne.

The Council Leader has been confirmed as Cllr Bridget Smith (Gamlingay ward). Bridget has been the Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council for the past eight years and District Councillor for Gamlingay for the past 18. Bridget will also be the Council’s representative to the Government’s Cambridge Growth Company. Other than local politics, Bridget’s passions are long distance walking, gardening, baking and spending time with her family. 

Cllr Brian Milnes (Sawston ward) remains Deputy Leader. Brian was first elected to the Council in 2018 and has been Deputy Leader for the past three and a half years. Brian has lived with his family in Sawston for 20 years, and prior to that lived in Bucks and Durham. He has had several careers, mostly in and around business building in the IT sector. Nowadays he is mostly doing business process re-engineering – translating old systems into IT enabled, high efficiency versions.

The Lead Cabinet Member for Housing will remain Cllr John Batchelor (Linton ward). John, who will oversee the Council’s new build programme, homelessness support and housing advice, was first elected to the District Council in 1998. He has held many senior positions at the Council, including Leader of the Opposition, Chair of Scrutiny and Chair of the Planning Committee. John has lived in Linton for around 35 years with his wife Julie and son Henry, who is also a District Councillor for Linton ward and Cabinet member. John’s business background is as a company director and management consultant.

The Lead Cabinet Member for Economic Development remains Cllr Peter McDonald (Duxford ward). This includes responsibilities for business support and development, skills and apprenticeships and Enterprise Zones. Peter has led the continued development of the Council’s Business Support function in recent years, with a focus on SMEs. Peter is CEO of the Agricultural Biological Control Business Ecospray with activities in Europe, Africa, Asia and Middle East.

Cllr Natalie Warren-Green (Longstanton ward) becomes Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, having served on the Cabinet since 2024 and as a District Councillor since 2022. Previously leading on Environment, she brings extensive professional experience in transformation and change, including work across the public, private and third sectors both in the UK and internationally. With a strong understanding of organisational change, budgets, and service delivery, she is well placed to lead on the Council’s financial priorities and support local government reorganisation.

Cllr Henry Batchelor (Linton ward) is the new Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, with responsibility for planning policy, development control and building control. Henry grew up, and continues to live, in the Linton area. He works in the sales and marketing department of a large private sector company. He enjoys watching and playing sport, travelling, spending time with his family and quizzing - he’s appeared on ITV shows The Chase and Tipping Point.

Cllr Laurence Damary-Homan (Harston and Comberton ward) is named as Lead Cabinet Member for Environment, with responsibilities for environmental services and licensing, recycling and waste, climate and the environment. Following academic studies of social policy and experience working in local government in Cambridgeshire, Laurence was elected as a Cambridgeshire County Councillor in 2025, and as a District Councillor earlier this month. Laurence is an avid sportsman and heavily involved in village cricket, as well as a keen traveller who loves to spend his time appreciating the natural beauty and diverse cultures of the world.

The Lead Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities is Cllr Dr. Lisa Redrup (Harston and Comberton ward). The position will see Lisa take responsibility for the district’s new towns, community development, cost-of-living support and health and wellbeing. Lisa has been a District Councillor for the Harston and Comberton ward for four years. She is involved with her local eco group and football club and is currently also being kept busy by a new puppy.

The new position of Lead Cabinet Member for Corporate Services is Cllr Ed Sanders (Sawston ward). This role will oversee the Council’s customer services, digital delivery and inclusion functions – as well as the services it shares with other councils. Ed brings several years of experience of policy and transformation in prior public sector roles. Ed runs a retail business with his wife and volunteers in a policy and development role in a Cambridge-based looked after children’s organisation. Outside of work, Ed writes novels and poetry and coaches football and cricket at local clubs.

Council Leader, Cllr Bridget Smith, said: “This Cabinet brings together a dedicated team focused on a fairer, kinder and greener South Cambridgeshire. We’re determined to be ambitious for our communities - supporting residents, enabling businesses to thrive, and working in partnership to make our district an even better place to live, work and visit. All our District Councillors are ready to represent their wards and work on behalf of local communities. They really are dedicated community champions and can support you in a variety of ways.”

It was also confirmed that the Council Chair will remain as Caxton and Papworth Cllr Peter Sandford – who will serve in the position for a second year – and Cottenham ward Cllr Eileen Wilson will continue as Vice Chair. Members of all the Council’s committees were also confirmed today.