COUNCILLORS will be asked to approve the new administration when it holds its annual meeting next Wednesday.
Cllr Liz Terry will be ratified as the new leader, with Cllr Micky Leng stepping up to become her deputy.
Cllr Glenn Dennis, current deputy mayor, has been nominated as Reading’s new mayor, with Cllr Alice Mpofu-Coles nominated as his deputy.
The lead councillors will be: Adult Social Care – Cllr Paul Gittings; Children – Cllr Wendy Griffith; Education and Public Health – Cllr Ruth McEwan; Environmental Services and Community Safety – Cllr Karen Rowland; Housing – Cllr Matt Yeo; Leisure and Culture – Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward; Corporate Services and Resources – Cllr Ellie Emberson; Climate Strategy and Transport – Cllr John Ennis; Planning & Assets – Cllr Micky Leng (as well as Deputy Leader of the Council).
Cllr Terry said: “The year ahead promises to be an extremely busy one for the Council once again, with continued progress on a number of key projects, whether that is the continuation of our biggest ever road repair programme, the imminent opening of the new Rivermead pool, progress on our new Central Library, continuing to build more affordable Council homes and improving ways residents can get around town.
“Every bit as important however is the day-to-day delivery of many hundreds of essential Council services which are increasingly relied on by so many residents, and that is not without its own difficulties given the enormous financial challenges now facing all local authorities.
“I am nevertheless confident that this proposed front bench team has both the experience and the knowledge of Reading to tackle those challenges head-on and repay the trust once again put in us by the electorate.
“I look forward to working closely with Cllr Leng, who like me has lived in Reading all his life, which brings with it an intimate knowledge of the communities, organisations and people which together make up our wonderful town.”
And Cllr Leng said it was a privilege to be nominated for the role of deputy leader.
“Reading is the place I have always called home. Those who know me, know I am passionate about our town,” he said.
“I very much look forward to working closely with Liz who has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to understanding what makes Reading tick and, like myself, we will put our town and its residents front and centre.
“I’m genuinely humbled to play such a central role in building on the progress the Council has made in recent years, delivering improved facilities for Reading residents, and on focusing resources on those communities who need our support the most, and that is something I intend to continue in the new role.”
The proposed Committee Chairs for 2024/25 are:
Adult Social Care, Children’s Services & Education: Cllr Alice Mpofu-Coles
Housing Neighbourhoods and Leisure: Cllr Rachel Eden
Strategic Environment, Planning & Transport: Cllr Will Cross
Traffic Management Sub-Committee: Cllr Jacopo Lanzoni
Planning Applications Committee: Cllr Jan Gavin
Licensing Committee: Cllr Paul Woodward
