READING Borough Council has announced its new administration proposal after last week’s local elections.
The Labour council increased its majority as a result of the vote and is now setting out its plans for appointing councillors.
Its proposal will be ratified in the upcoming annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 25.
Cllr Jason Brock is set to remain as the leader of the council.
Cllr Tony Page is continuing to serve as deputy leader, but will also become lead councillor for climate, energy, and transport.
Cllr John Ennis is set to become lead councillor for adult social care and cllr Graeme Hoskin will become the lead councillor for children.
Cllr Liz Terry is proposed to become lead councillor for corporate services and resources, with cllr Ruth McEwan leading education and public health.
Housing will be led by cllr Ellie Emberson, and leisure and culture will be led by cllr Adele Barnett-Ward.
Cllr Micky Leng will round out the lead councillors, taking planning and assets.
Reading council leader Jason 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.”
Next week’s AGM will also see the appointment of a new deputy mayor.
Cllr Debs Edwards has been nominated for the post.
The incumbent mayor, Cllr Rachel Eden, will continue in her post until May 2023.
The council has also announced its proposals for committee chairs for 2022/23, with cllr Alice Mpofu-Coles leading adult social care, children’s services, and education committee.
Cllr Sarah Hacker will chair the housing, neighbourhoods, and leisure committee, with cllr Paul Gittings chairing the strategic environment, planning, and transport committee.
Cllr Jo Lovelock will head the planning applications committee, with cllr Paul Woodward leading licensing applications, and cllr Mohammed Ayub leading the traffic management sub-committee.
Cllr Brock said: “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.”
The full agenda for the council’s AGM can be found at: democracy.reading.gov.uk
