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WOKINGHAM Borough Council’s new executive members have been confirmed.
At the council meeting on Thursday, May 19, Cllr Clive Jones, the newly elected leader of the council, announced who will form the Liberal Democrat led administration.
Cllr Stephen Conway will act as deputy leader and also the executive member for housing.
The Liberal Democrats will introduce a new position on the executive for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty.
This position will be filled by Cllr Rachel Bishop Firth.
On the creation of the new role, Cllr Jones said: “We will be placing an emphasis on anti-poverty measures and working closely with local businesses to see what the council can do to help them.”
The executive member for planning and the local plan will be Cllr Lindsay Ferris.
Cllr Jones said: “Liberal Democrats have petitioned the secretary of state for communities, housing and levelling up asking for a reduction in the excessively high housing allocation imposed on us by the government.
“The council has previously tried to get the number reduced and Lindsay Ferris will continue to argue our case for a reduction.
“If the government accepts that our housing allocation should be reduced, we can reassess the less sustainable sites in the draft local plan.”
In 2019, Wokingham Borough Council declared a climate emergency and Cllr Jones is committed to continue reducing the council’s carbon footprint.
He confirmed that Cllr Sarah Kerr will take up the role as executive member for climate emergency and residents services.
Following her appointment, Cllr Jones said he was “delighted” adding: “There is no better person on this council to be taking on this role.”
The executive member for environment, sports and leisure will be Cllr Ian Shenton.
Cllr Jones said Cllr Shenton will continue to promote the idea of a “Covid Memorial Wood” which will help to meet tree-planting ambitions and commemorate those who lost their lives in the pandemic.
The new executive member for active travel, highways and transport will be Cllr Paul Fishwick. This role will have an “emphasis on active travel,” said Cllr Jones.
Cllr Prue Bray has been chosen to take up the mantle of executive member for children services.
Cllr Jones said one of the priorities will be children’s mental health.
The executive member for wellbeing and adult services will be Cllr David Hare.
The role is described by Cllr Jones as a “massive challenge” due to “recent government announcements of changes to the way the public pay for Adult Social Care”.
The final member confirmed was Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey who will become the executive for finance.
Cllr Jones said the priority will be “prudence and stability” as the council faces “major financial challenges”.
New executive members confirmed:
- Cllr Stephen Conway – Deputy leader and executive member for housing
- Cllr Rachel Bishop Firth – Executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty
- Cllr Lindsay Ferris – Executive member for planning and the local plan
- Cllr Sarah Kerr – Executive member for climate emergency and residents services
- Cllr Ian Shenton – Executive member for the environment, sports and leisure
- Cllr Paul Fishwick – Executive member for active travel, highways and transport
- Cllr Prue Bray – Executive member for children’s services
- Cllr David Hare – Executive member for wellbeing and adult services
- Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey – Executive member for finance
