Agenda item

The Leader of the Council to announce the composition of the Executive for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 7) concerning the appointment of the Executive by the Leader of the Council for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Lynne Doherty:

“That the Council noted the appointment of the Executive by the Leader of the Council for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.”

Councillor Lynne Doherty took the opportunity to thank Portfolio Holders for their support and work over the past year. As a team the Executive worked collectively with Members to ensure that it delivered the promises that were set out in the Council Strategy. She was proud of what it had been able to achieve so far this year which had also seen additional pressures as a result of responding to the global Coronavirus crisis. This had created additional pressure in every service area and adjustments had had to be made to enable the vital work to continue and she thanked Portfolio Holders for their input into that.

Councillor Doherty noted that she had been in the position of Leader for two years and had gained experience in many different areas that residents looked to their Council to deliver. That experience would enable her to make the changes necessary to continue to focus on priorities and to make further improvements to ensure that West Berkshire remained a great place to lie, work and learn.

A few weeks ago Councillor Doherty had made changes to the People Directorate in terms of portfolios primarily driven by the changing health agenda. She now highlighted some proposed changes she was making to the Place Directorate. She had listened to both Parish Councils and residents on the importance of place shaping – ensuring infrastructure supported development and development supported infrastructure – this would create a vision of shaping that could result in healthier people. She therefore intended to restructure by bringing both Planning and Transport under one Portfolio Holder to ensure a holistic view of place for the coming years. Councillor Richard Somner had agreed to take on this challenge and would take the role going forward. Councillor Doherty thanked Councillor Hilary Cole for all the work she had done with the Planning portfolio since 2016. Planning was one of the most contentious areas of the Council and Councillor Cole had taken it all in her stride in order to prioritise the need to deliver against policy. To ensure that the Council ultimately protected taxpayer’s money from the lengthy appeals process and to ensure that it was a plan lead authority, as opposed to letting uncontrolled development which would have a negative impact on our beautiful district. Councillor Cole would retain Housing and Strategic Partnerships but would also take on a new responsibility of Transformation. For a number of years the Council had been looking at new ways of working to ensure that it remained efficient and effective and fit for the future. As the authority moved out of Covid and towards recovery there was a need to drive this agenda across all directorates. Councillor Cole would utilise her many years of Council experience with her desire to innovate and drive customer focus.

Councillor Doherty also mentioned Councillor Graham Bridgman who was also taking on a new portfolio whilst still remaining Deputy Leader. She was grateful for his support and guidance and could not have got through the last year without his constant presence.

All other portfolios remained the same.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.