‘A FRESH start’ and a ‘green vision for Worcester is at the heart of the messages from the city’s new joint Labour and Green Party leadership.
The two parties were put together after Labour’s calls for an end to the controversial joint leader role were rejected at Worcester City Council’s annual meeting on Tuesday (May 16).
However, unlike last year when the party refused to take up the post alongside then Conservative leader Marc Bayliss, Labour has put forward party leader Coun Lynn Denham for one of the positions.
She will be joined by Green Party leader Coun Majory Bisset at the helm of the authority until the 2024 elections.
Following May’s elections, Labour were the largest party with 13 of the 35 seats before the sad death of Coun Simon Cronin with the Green Party now having 10 councillors.
And speaking after the meeting, Coun Denham hailed the ‘fresh start for Worcester’ at the start of what she described as a ‘challenging’ year for the city.
“This month’s election results showed people want profound change, with voters opting for a greener, better Worcester,” she said.
“Such change can and should be experienced in people’s day to day lives. Worcester Labour’s manifesto contained a clear vision for such change.
“It means economic growth which makes everyone better off; it means a healthy and sustainable city; it means safe and secure communities, and it means warm and affordable housing.
“The Labour group will now bring all our experience and determination to bear in making these things a reality for residents.”
Green chiefs welcomed the renewed commitment to a joint leader for the council and said while Labour had more councillors, the Green party won the popular vote.
Coun Bisset, said she and her party were delighted Labour had taken up the opportunity to share the leadership role.
“It is very important all four political groups continue to work together on a cross-party basis in the various committees with positions as chairs or vice chair fairly shared between the parties,” she said.
“Our focus is less on who is the leader of the council and more about fighting for environmental and social justice for all Worcester residents.
“This means shielding residents from the worst effects of the cost-of-living crisis while at the same time bringing in measures to get to zero carbon and to increase biodiversity and green spaces in the city.”
