SOUTH Gloucestershire Council’s new joint Liberal Democrat and Labour administration has announced the cabinet that is taking on the administration of the council.
Last month the Voice reported that the two parties had agreed to share power after the Conservatives lost their overall majority, with Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young becoming the council leader and Labour group leader Ian Boulton, who represents Staple Hill & Mangotsfield ward, becoming co-leader.
Following the first meeting of the new council at the end of May, the other cabinet councillors – four Lib Dems and three Labour – and their areas of responsibility were confirmed.
They are:
• Chris Willmore (Lib Dem, Yate North) – planning, regeneration, and infrastructure
• Alison Evans (Lab, Woodstock) – cost of living, equalities and public health
• Louise Harris (Lib Dem, Dodington) – climate and nature emergency
• Maggie Tyrell (Lib Dem, Thornbury) – children and young people
• John O’Neil (Lib Dem, Charfield) – adults and homes
•
Adam Monk (Lab, Filton) – resources
Leigh Ingham (Lab, Kingswood) – communities and local place
Cllr Young will be responsible for council governance, with Cllr Boulton looking after education, skills, employment and business.
Cllr Young said the new cabinet “delivers a broad range of experience across the council’s work areas”.
She said: “This is an excellent opportunity to put forward a new vision for South Gloucestershire and to help improve the lives of local people. We want to change the way decisions are made and work with residents and communities to ensure they are supportive of our plans”.
The council’s Conservative group, which remains the largest even though it no longer has a majority, has announced its shadow cabinet.
Frenchay & Downend ward councillor Liz Brennan, the group’s deputy leader, will hold the group’s planning, regeneration and infrastructure brief, while Emersons Green ward councillor Rachael Hunt, who is now the only Conservative representative for the ward, will be the shadow member for communities and local place.
Group leader Sam Bromiley said: “The new administration must put the best interests of residents at the heart of everything it does, and the people of South Gloucestershire can be assured that the Conservative Group will be firmly on their side.”