New Leader of Stockport Council and Stockport Labour Group, Cllr Elise Wilson has welcomed the new Cabinet to their roles in Stockport Council – a Cabinet fully redesigned to meet the reform challenges the Council faces.
The Cabinet was inaugurated to the Council in the Annual Council Meeting of 21st May. However, the new Leader Cllr Elise Wilson, and new Deputy Leader, Cllr Tom McGee this week welcomed the new portfolio holders into the Leader’s office for the first time this week – to outline the challenges and opportunities for Stockport in the coming year.
The new Cabinet sees a number of familiar faces return, as part of a gender balanced cabinet and gender balanced Labour Group as a whole.
Former Public Health chief Cllr Tom McGee returns as Deputy Leader, with a new role as portfolio holder for the support the Council provides on contracts, democracy and corporate services. Cllr Colin Foster stays in charge of Children’s Services as part of a new portfolio, which also covers Education. Former Economy and Regeneration lead Cllr Kate Butler takes on a new portfolio, focussing on how the Council communicates and engages with people. former Housing and Communities chief Cllr Sheila Bailey also sees a return with a new role in charge of sustainability, housing, waste and green spaces.
New faces to the Cabinet include Cheadle Hulme North Cllr David Meller, who will take Labour’s significant Economy and Regeneration agenda forward. Cllr Amanda Peers takes on the new brief of Inclusive Neighbourhoods, and Cllr Jude Wells will spearhead Adult Social Care and Health for 2018/19.
Welcoming the new Cabinet, Stockport’s Council Leader Elise Wilson said:
“The next year will bring both challenges and opportunities for Stockport. We must build upon our record of regenerating and rejuvenating Stockport’s economy, reforming to protect services as far as possible and delivering the savings and investments needed for a sure financial footing long-term.
“At a time of rising demand for the Council, we must once more bridge a £10.12 million funding gap this year, due to the Government’s continuing Austerity agenda.
“To do this, we must be prepared to take a root and branch look at how different areas of the Council work best together. For this reason, we have taken a revolutionary look at the Cabinet structure to reflect areas which can work together to best reduce bureaucracy, deliver reform and the savings we need.
“This new Cabinet has the energy, ideas and ambition to build upon Stockport Labour’s record transforming and improving Stockport and I look forward to working with them toward this. “
A full breakdown of the Stockport Labour’s 2019/20 Cabinet and their responsibilities is available as part of the Annual Council meeting papers available here: http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/mgChooseDocPack.aspx?ID=26512
Council Leader – Cllr Elise Wilson
Deputy Leader – Resources, Commissioning and Governance- Cllr Tom McGee
Economy and Regeneration – Cllr David Meller
Inclusive Neighbourhoods- Cllr Amanda Peers
Children, Family Services and Education – Cllr Colin Foster
Adult Social Care and Health – Cllr Jude Wells
Citizen Focus and Engagement – Cllr Kate Butler
Sustainable Stockport – Cllr Sheila Bailey