Last Thursday’s full council meeting at Shute End saw Cllr Clive Jones step down as leader of council to focus on his campaign to become the next MP for Wokingham.
Clive impressed many people with his leadership of the Lib Dem minority administration through its first year in office – a year with bigger challenges than anyone can remember. He proved to be calm under pressure, courageous enough to take the difficult decisions, and compassionate in his priorities. He can look back with pride on a year of considerable success. In the local elections on May 4, the administration not only defended eight seats (securing increased majorities in several) but made three gains, putting us only one short of overall control.
But if Clive’s relinquishing the leadership represents a big change, there is much continuity. I had the good fortune to serve as Clive’s deputy last year, so my succeeding him as leader means that I am familiar with the role and very aware of the challenges.
The new executive is largely the same as last year’s; most of my colleagues will continue the excellent work they did under Clive. The only exceptions are Clive now focusing on Business and Economic Development and Prue Bray, respected and admired across the council, becoming my deputy. It’s a strong team, which showed its competence and resilience under fire last year.
Clive was very much in the public eye as the leader of council and parliamentary candidate. By comparison, I am probably a bit of an unknown entity to many of you. I thought it might therefore help if I introduced myself and gave you a flavour of what I hope to be able to bring to the role of leader. You, after all, are part of the public that the council is here to serve, and so I am ultimately answerable to you.
I think I can reasonably claim to have the necessary experience. Not only was I Clive’s deputy last year, I have been a councillor for Twyford for 22 years. I have served on numerous committees, boards, and working parties, notably the planning committee, where I had become part of the fixtures and fittings after more than 20 years’ service. I have also been a regular contributor to debates in the council chamber. In short, I feel that I know the ropes.
I believe I have the energy and enthusiasm for the role. I have decided to take retirement from my paid work as a university lecturer earlier than I had planned so that I can concentrate my efforts on running the council. In Twyford, where I live and have represented for all my time on the council, I have devoted a lot of time and effort to helping the local community to realise some of its ambitions. I will show the same commitment to helping the borough as a whole and all the different communities that it comprises.
Indeed, I would highlight my willingness to work with others as an attribute that should prove useful in leading the council. Last year, I was entrusted by Clive with developing our relationships with external partners, such as the voluntary and charitable sector, town and parish councils, business, and educators. I also oversaw the first opinion-gathering stage of forming a community vision, which sets out the community‘s aspirations and establishes priorities for the council to pursue on behalf of the community. I am looking forward to continuing this work as leader.
Working with others is important within as well as beyond the council. I have been greatly impressed by the quality and commitment of council officers, who entered their careers to make a difference. Their strong sense of public service is a great asset for the council and I firmly believe it can be harnessed most effectively if council officers are shown proper respect as professionals. That doesn’t mean that I will always agree with them, but I will always listen to their views and recognize that they are based on professional judgment that deserves to be given considerable weight.
I will adopt a similar approach to councillors of other parties. No political party has a monopoly on good ideas. I will always listen and respect the views of others. I want to call on the experience, the knowledge, and the talent of all councillors to help the council serve the community better.
Perhaps I can finish with my appeal to colleagues of all parties at the end of my acceptance speech last Thursday:
“Fellow councillors,” I said, “We at our best when we are positive. Whatever our differences about means, I believe that we share a common view of the ends we are seeking. All of us, surely, want to see a more prosperous, a more vibrant, and a greener Wokingham.
“All of us, I hope, want a compassionate and caring Wokingham.
“And all of us, I hope again, want to ensure that everyone in our community is treated with respect and is given the opportunity to live a happy and fulfilled life, whatever their background or characteristics. If we do indeed share these objectives, let’s work together to deliver the even better borough that we all want to see.”
Cllr Stephen Conway is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council and ward member for Twyford
