READING Borough Council has formally put forward its nominees for the position of the town’s Mayor and its deputy leader.
Cllr Tony Page has been named as the council’s candidate to take up the position of Mayor after Cllr Rachel Eden is due to conclude her spell in the role.
Cllr Page will celebrate his 50th year of service as a councillor in Reading.
Cllr Liz Terry has also been announced to take over the role of deputy leader of the council from Cllr Page, with leader Jason Brock remaining in his post.
It follows the council’s position being further solidified in the recent local elections, and a formal decision on appointments is set to be made at the annual general meeting, due next Wednesday, May 24.
Council Leader Cllr Jason Brock said: “Councillor Page has dedicated his life to serving our town and its residents. It is only right that his landmark 50th year serving as a Councillor in Reading should be spent as Mayor, shining a bright light on the communities and the people which set our great town apart.
“I am delighted to announce his nomination– I know from working in close quarters with Tony for several years now that his passion for Reading is unmatched and he will absolutely relish the opportunity to promote our wonderful town even further.
“At the same time, I am delighted to welcome Councillor Terry as the new Deputy Leader. Not only is she a born and bred Reading girl, she brings with her many decades of Local Government experience, which I’m certain will prove invaluable over the year ahead as we look to deliver on our priorities and the mandate given to us by the people of Reading.”
He continued: “It promises to be an exciting year, with many of our major projects coming to fruition, including the new Green Park Station and Rivermead Leisure Centre. There also remain challenges, as is always the case, and I very much look forward to drawing on Liz’s considerable expertise and experience as we move forwards.”
Cllr Liz Terry said she was “both humbled and privileged to be selected as Deputy Leader by colleagues.
“As someone who was born and grew up in Reading, I am very proud of Reading and how it has developed over time.
“I like to think I have a good understanding of what makes our great town tick, and I am very much looking forward to working with Jason to continue to build on the many successes of the town whilst continuing to meet the challenges, such as the cost of living crisis, that is impacting everyone.”
She explained: “The role of a local Council is incredibly wide and varied– in Reading that means always striving for excellence in the essential day-to-day services we deliver, which I am passionate about.
“It also means delivering on our programme of modernising facilities for residents, maintaining Reading’s powerful local economy and using that economic strength to bring tangible benefits to communities who perhaps do not always enjoy the same life chances.
“The Council’s ethos is to maximise Reading’s potential so that everyone can share in the benefits of its success, and I look forward to getting on with the job.”
