The leader of Wokingham Borough Council has called on councillors from across the chamber to work together “for the better Wokingham we all want”.
Cllr Stephen Conway, in his address to annual council at the meeting held on Thursday, May 23, said: “I know from personal experience over many years, that opposition can be deeply frustrating.
“But opposition can play an important role – a noble role – especially if opposition councillors are willing to engage with the ruling group positively, responsibly, and constructively.”
Of the 27 new councillors that have arrived in the chamber, he said he was looking forward to learning their fresh perspective and new ideas, something he welcomed.
“I want to call on all the experience and talent available to help us make the best decisions for the benefit of the people and businesses in the borough,” he continued, adding the role of the overview and scrutiny committees played a key role in this.
“I will try, as I did in the last municipal year, to work collaboratively with councillors from the other parties.”
This included offering roles chairing or vice-charing committees.
With representation of the council on outside bodies such as Age Concern, the fire and rescue service, and school boards, Cllr Conway said he wanted to change the system from ‘winner takes all’ to allocating places based on the geographical area if all three seats in that ward are represented by one party only.
He continued: “My own priorities are ones that I hope councillors of all parties can sign up to.
“In the years to come, there will be more work to reduce future budgetary pressures through prevention, early intervention and invest-to-save measures, such as increasing in-borough provision for special educational needs, which will cut our future home-to-school transport costs.
“We will also be pursuing new ways to generate extra income, such as our own solar farms.”
The second focus would be on helping those who need additional support, such as older residents and those with additional needs.
The third would be working with others “to pull together knowledge, experience and resources to tackle the challenges we face together”.
“I will work with anyone who shares this vision”, he concluded.
