Nicol Horrell has been re-elected unopposed today (28 Oct) as chairman of Environment Southland.

This is Horrell's third consecutive chairmanship and his sixth term on the council, where he represents the Western constituency.

Chairman Horrell thanked his wife for her support and said it would be his last term as chairman. “It has been an honour and will continue to be an honour and a privilege to lead this Council…. While I am signalling this will be my last term, I will be 100 per cent until the last day.”

Chairman Horrell said he has a good team who will work well with the community for a sustainable, thriving Southland.

There were two nominations for deputy chairman: Councillors Lyndal Ludlow and Jeremy McPhail. The vote was evenly split 6:6. Following a draw by lot, Councillor McPhail was elected deputy chairman.

Councillor Jeremy McPhail was elected deputy chairman, after an election between him and fellow councillor Lyndal Ludlow.

Committee chairs were also elected by councillors today were:

Strategy and Policy – Lyndal Ludlow

Regional Services – Peter McDonald

Regulatory – Neville Cook

Finance and Performance – Maurice Rodway

Risk and Assurance – Lyndal Ludlow until an independent chair is appointed.

The business of the former Organisational Performance and Audit Committee will now be undertaken by two separate committees: the Finance and Performance Committee and the Risk and Assurance Committee.

Mana whenua are represented on two committees:

Strategy and Policy – Ann Wakefield and Stewart Bull

Regional Services – Gail Thompson and Estelle Leask.