A NEW chairman has been appointed to the North East Essex Health and Wellbeing Alliance as the group looks to continue its efforts in improving residents’ health in Colchester and Tendring.

Mark Cory, who led Colchester Council for three years between 2018 and 2021, is now leading the North East Essex Alliance, a body which helps local authorities work more closely alongside healthcare and voluntary organisations.

The Alliance covers six areas of north east Essex, which is divided into Colchester central, Colchester north, Colchester south, Tendring west, Tendring east, and Tendring south.

Mr Cory replaces the outgoing chairman Mark Jarman-Howe.

The former Colchester Council leader said his time as a youth worker and patient representative has set him in good stead for the challenge.

He said: “I am extremely familiar with the area, having lived and worked in north east Essex for many years.

“I also know many of the key partners and representatives that make up the alliance and am fully aware of what is important to local people as well as the challenges that many of our communities face on a daily basis.

“I look forward to being even more closely involved with this work in the future.”