THERE have been changes to Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet and leadership after last week’s meeting.
It comes as three Tory councillors – Coun Karen May, Coun Marcus Hart and Coun Adrian Hardman – quit their cabinet roles they had been allocated in Health, Education and Finance respectively, due to being instructed to do so by Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) following the ‘alliance’ with the Green Party, independents and Liberal Democrats.
Coun May said: “Regardless of this, all three of us are committed to working hard for residents and doing what is best for them on this council.”
We reported how last week, the leader of the Green Party and Independents, Coun Matt Jenkins, had been elected as the new leader of Worcestershire County Council with Conservative Coun Adam Kent as his deputy.
Coun Kent was suspended by the national Conservative Party amidst claims he had been told there was to be ‘no alliance with the Green Party’.
The Cabinet
Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet is as follows:
Leader and Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Local Government Reorganisation, Transformation and Government Lobbying – Coun Matt Jenkins (Green Party)
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Finance, Corporate Services and Business – Coun Adam Kent (Conservative)
Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care – Coun Mel Allcott (Liberal Democrats)
Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families – Coun Natalie McVey (Green Party)
Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment and Communities – Coun Josh Robinson (Liberal Democrats)
Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education, SEND and Skills – Coun Dan Boatright-Greene (Liberal Democrats)
Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Wellbeing – Coun Alan Bailes (Independent)
Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport – Coun Tom Wells (Independent)
Speaking after the appointments, Coun Jenkins said: “I’m pleased to welcome the new cabinet, and I look forward to working together with purpose and professionalism.
“We will bring a renewed sense of stability to the council’s leadership, one our residents can trust, and we will do politics differently to bring the whole Council together.
“I want to lead this council to deliver meaningful change for communities across Worcestershire, and I will ensure my team does the same.
“Our immediate priority must be the finances and delivering savings through transformation plans to prevent the council from effectively going bust. Alongside this, we must manage Local Government Reorganisation smoothly, working closely with our district colleagues to protect services.
“Whatever lies ahead, we will provide the stability and direction this council needs.”
Civic Head
At the Annual General Meeting, the council also appointed its new chairman for the civic year.
The chairman presides over full council meetings, ensuring proceedings are conducted in a fair, neutral and non-political manner. The chairman also holds a casting vote in the event of a tie.
Coun Paul Bennett, who represents the Liberal Democrats in the Malvern Langland Division, has been appointed chairman, with Conservative Coun Tony Miller, who represents Ombersley, confirmed as vice-chairman.
The full webcast of last weeks’ meeting, and access recordings of previous and upcoming council meetings, can be viewed by visiting: worcestershire.gov.uk/webcasts Browse Meetings, 2000 – Modern Council
The next meeting of the full council is scheduled for July 16.
