Council appoints new executive cabinet

Ruling party appoints new executive body as council elects new chairman

WEST Berkshire Council's executive front bench has undergone a re-shuffle.

At a full council meeting last night (Tuesday), the leader of the council Graham Jones announced that Irene Neill (Con, Aldermaston) would join the cabinet to oversee the Children and Young People and Youth Service portfolio, which has once again absorbed the Education directorate.

“I am really fortunate to be supported by a very strong and experienced team,” Mr Jones said.

“Irene has been an able deputy in the Education portfolio and has a large amount of experience in Children and Young People department. She is a very good person to have heading the portfolio.”

Mrs Neill said she was delighted to become a member of the executive committee.

“I have been a deputy for a few years and so I did have a lot of knowledge of education and over the last years have become even more heavily involved in the Children and Young People's department.

“I have also been working closely with many local schools over the last year as chairwoman of the School Standards and Effectiveness Panel, which involves visiting schools and holding meetings with heads, so I do have insight into the education service.”

The Education portfolio was vacated by Barbara Alexander (Con, Compton), who stood down from the council and did not run for re-election.

Gordon Lundie (Con, Lambourn) who formerly oversaw the Children and Young People directorate, will now head a new portfolio; Transformation and the Council Plan.

He said his task is to look at the role of government with local authorities, delivery of effective council services and the future development of Big Society initiatives and partnering.

He thanked the officers of his former portfolio and said he was looking forward to tackling his new role.

“As the government and other local authorities respond to a challenging financial environment over the next four years West Berkshire also needs to ensure that it is providing the right services in the right way and at a cost that is reasonable to the community,” he said.

Elsewhere, Mr Jones has kept faith with the team which has led the party to a second successful election.

Pamela Bale (Con, Pangbourne) remains deputy leader for the Conservatives, and will stand for election as chairwoman of the West Berkshire Partnership.

She retains responsibility for Communities and the Visions.

Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley) will add the responsibilities of Culture and Leisure to the Environment portfolio.

In addition to his role with the Thames Valley Police Authority, Anthony Stansfeld (Con, Kintbury) will continue with his responsibilities for Emergency Planning and Community Safety.

Finance spokesman Keith Chopping (Con, Sulhamstead), Highways and ICT spokesman David Betts (Con, Purley-On-Thames), Community Care spokesman Joe Mooney (Con, Birch Copse) and Housing, Planning and Transport spokesman Alan Law (Con, Basildon) all retain their existing responsibilities.

Mr Betts takes on the additional responsibility of Customer Services.

Mr Jones said he was pleased with the strength in depth of his new-look front bench, and the group were eager to address the challenges which lie ahead.

In recognition of many years of service to the community, Peter Argyle (Con, Calcot) was nominated as the new chairman of the council, with Adrian Edwards (Con, Falkland) serving as vice chairman.

Mr Argyle said it was a great honour to be elected, and he would do his best to serve the district.