The new proposed administration that will be running Reading following the historic local elections this month has been announced.
Next week the new municipal year will begin, with the Labour party still in control of Reading Borough Council after increasing its majority in the elections.
Reading Labour has now selected the lead councillors it wants in place to drive key policy areas.
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Councillor Jason Brock (Labour, Southcote) remains the leader of the council and cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) will carry on as Deputy Leader.
Cllr Brock said: “I am proud to have assembled a new front bench team which boasts not only a wealth of experience and knowledge, but also a real passion for Reading and its communities alongside a drive to tackle inequalities locally so that every single resident, whatever their circumstances or background, can share in the town’s success.
“The recent local election result was a ringing endorsement from the electorate of our visions and plans for Reading.
“It is now incumbent upon this Administration to deliver on those plans in the year ahead.
“This year will see many of our flagship investments come to fruition – new swimming pools and leisure centres, new and refurbished train stations, new playgrounds and new cycle lanes.
“As satisfying as that will be to see, we also know there are residents who continue to be frustrated with everyday issues like the high cost of housing, anti-social behaviour, fly tipping or traffic, for example
“These are the fundamental issues that we intend to tackle, alongside doing everything possible in the 12 months ahead to support the people who will be hit hardest by a cost of living crisis that threatens to widen the very gaps in our communities we are working so hard to close.”
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Here are Labour’s proposals for the new administration, which is due to be sworn in at the council’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 25:
Cllr John Ennis (Labour, Southcote) – Lead for Adult Social Care
Cllr Graeme Hoskin (Labour, Norcot)- Lead for Children
Cllr Tony Page – Lead for Climate Strategy and Transport
Cllr Liz Terry (Labour, Coley) – Lead for Corporate Services and Resources
Cllr Ruth McEwan (Labour, Church) – Lead for Education and Public Health
Cllr Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) – Lead for Environmental Services and Community Safety
Cllr Ellie Emberson (Labour, Coley) – Lead for Housing
Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward (Labour, Thames) – Lead for Leisure and Culture
Cllr Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley) – Lead for Planning and Assets
The administration of the council was in need of a rejig after councillor Ashley Pearce, the former lead member for education, stood down ahead of the elections.
Reading Borough Council is run by the committee system, where councillors make decisions as a collective.
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