Heather Kidd, Leader of Shropshire Council
Councillor Heather Kidd has been elected the new Leader of Shropshire Council following elections in May 2025.
She becomes the first Liberal Democrat to lead the unitary council, following her group securing an overall majority on the council.
Her administration is setting out three key priorities for its first 100 days in power, want the people of Shropshire to see and feel the change her administration is bringing These are
- Fixing more potholes and improving the state of Shropshire’s 3,200 miles of roads
- Improving customer service across the council, making it more responsive and easier to do business with
- Better and closer working with town and parish councils who can help take on some service services from Shropshire Council or may be better placed find simple solutions to issues in their area
Councillor Kidd said:
“The public clearly want to see change and Shropshire as a council that works for them, not the other way round.
“During our first 100 days we want people to see that the council looks and feels different and that there’s visible progress on all our three priority areas.
“Yes, given the council’s financial challenge it’s going to tough, but we are totally committed to change Shropshire Council for the better and to do so fast
“For example, we believe we can save money by stopping using expensive consultants and investing more in our own people and to find solutions that work for Shropshire.”
Originally from Sussex, Councillor Kidd has lived in South Shropshire close to the Welsh border for almost 40 years and is a former leader of South Shropshire District Council, which was merged into Shropshire Council in 2009.
Rural policy issues are a key interest to her and her belief in the part that rural housing can play as a driver for the rural economy, help save Council services money and keep rural communities sustainable and thriving. She was awarded an MBE for Services to Rural Communities in 2023.
Councillor Kidd is a strong voice at a national level on rural matters and been on the Local Government Association’s (LGA) People & Places Board and has chaired the LGA’s Safer Strong Communities Board and Liberal Democrat group.
A Biology/Science teacher, Councillor Kidd has taught in schools in Sussex, London and of course, Shropshire. She is married with four daughters and ten grandchildren.
The Full Council meeting has also elected Councillor Alex Wagner as Deputy Leader and confirmed the new administration’s cabinet. Councillor Wagner is one of the youngest members of the council and is also Mayor of Shrewsbury.
