New Chairman and Vice Chair appointed at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has a new Chairman and Vice Chair after councillors elected to both roles at their Annual Council meeting on 13 May.
Councillor Linda Malyon was appointed as Chairman and Councillor Lyn Swindlehurst as Vice Chair. Both will serve for the 2026/27 civic year that runs from May to May.
The new Chairman, who becomes Staffordshire Moorlands' First Citizen, represents Ipstones Ward. She was formerly Vice Chair and was previously Chairman of the Council in 2000/01.
In her acceptance speech, Councillor Malyon said she was honoured once again and it was a real privilege to serve as Chairman. She said her role was "one of service, representation and community leadership, bringing people together and promoting businesses, community groups, and helping to celebrate special occasions and landmarks in people's lives - all as part of a proud non-political tradition serving the Staffordshire Moorlands."
Councillor Malyon announced her chosen charities for her year in office would be Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes; the County Air Ambulance Trust HELP Appeal and the Fire Fighters Charity.
Her consort will be Councillor Sue Deaville, a parish councillor in Ipstones. The Vice Chair's consort will be husband, Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, who also serves on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. The new Vice Chair represents Leek North Ward.
Councillor Malyon replaces outgoing Chairman, Councillor Adam Parkes, who represents Biddulph North. She said of Councillor Parkes: "Our sincere thanks go to Adam for all the work he and his consort, Katrina, have done throughout the year."
Councillor Parkes said: "It has been a fabulous year. I have attended 125 events and clocked up over 4000 miles travelling across our district. Attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace yesterday where I met the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle MP was a definite highlight, as was presenting flowers, as the Chairman, to my mother on the occasion of her 90th birthday this week. I have to say this took her completely by surprise!"
Published 15 May 2026
