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A ‘fearless champion of local government' is poised to become the new chairman of the Local Government Association. The LGA announced on September 9 that Cllr Margaret Eaton, ex-leader of Bradford City Council, has been nominated by Conservative councillors to replace Sir Simon Milton. A meeting of the cross-party LGA executive (September 11) is expected to ratify Cllr Eaton's nomination and officially confirm her as the first woman to chair the organisation. She beat off competition from the likes of Tandridge DC leader Gordon Keymer to win the Conservative nomination. Shadow communities and local government minister Eric Pickles said: ‘I would like to congratulate Margaret on her overwhelming victory, in what was an experienced and talented field. ‘Margaret is an old friend from my Bradford City Council days, and she brings considerable experience of local government. ‘I have no doubt that Margaret will prove to be a fearless champion for local government, and the residents they represent.' Cllr Eaton has been a councillor in Bradford since 1986 and was elected as the authority's leader in 2000. She was widely praised for her community relations work following race riots in the city in 2001 and received an OBE for her services to local government in 2003. She stepped down as leader of Bradford in 2006. Sir Simon Milton stepped down this summer to become London mayor Boris Johnson's deputy.

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WHITEHALL

Eaton set to be first female to chair the LGA

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