Witney News - Changes at West Oxfordshire District Council

Witney - A view from Church Green

Advertisements

Changes at West Oxfordshire District Council

West Oxfordshire District Council has appointed its Executive for 2007/08, with the introduction of two new Cabinet portfolios.

Changes were made to the Cabinet at the Council's Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 16th, following elections in a third of the District's seats on May 3rd.

Cllr Barry Norton was re-elected as Leader of the Council and announced the introduction of two new cabinet portfolios, 'Change & Improvement' and 'Communities'.

Announcing the new Cabinet of seven members, Cllr Norton said he had taken into consideration the “changing agenda” in Local Government being driven by Central Government and the need to address issues such as increased partnership working, pressure to make further efficiency savings, to engage more with local communities and the voluntary sector, and to recognise the increased emphasis of meeting the challenges of climate change.

Cllr Norton said: “I would like to thank Members for re-electing me as Leader of the Council and for their continuing support. I will continue to carry out duties as Leader of this Council to benefit all residents and members of the community in West Oxfordshire. There are real challenges that we face ahead and I am confident that our new Cabinet, with the introduction of the new portfolios, will deal these in the best way possible.”

The Cabinet portfolio arrangements are as follows:

* Cllr Verena Hunt will continue as Deputy Leader of the Council with responsibility for Strategic Planning and Economic Development, taking on extra responsibility for Economic Development and Business Liaison.

* Cllr Mark Booty joins the Cabinet as Member for Change and Improvement, covering areas such as Improved Two-Tier Working, Partnership Arrangements, Performance Management and the Efficiency Agenda.

* Cllr Jill Dunsmore is new to the Cabinet as Member for Communities, with responsibility for issues such as Community Development and Grants, Support to the Voluntary Sector, Community Safety, Crime and Disorder, Police liaison, Housing and Homelessness, and Affordable Housing Provision.

* Cllr David Harvey will continue as Cabinet Member for Environment, covering all aspects of waste and recycling collections, Environmental Enforcement, climate change and energy advice, as well as additional responsibility for Licensing.

* Cllr Hilary Biles becomes Cabinet Member for Leisure and Health, covering Sports, Leisure, Arts Development, Tourism, Community and Public Health, and Supporting People. She will also act as Champion for Young and Elderly Persons.
Simon Hoare joins the Cabinet as Member for Resources, including Finance and Management, Customer Services, IT Services, Project Management and Asset Management.

Cllr Norton paid tribute to Cllr Tony Walker who had stepped down from the Cabinet as portfolio holder for Leisure and Tourism. He thanked him for his work during his time in office which had included overseeing the opening of new leisure centres in Carterton and in Chipping Norton.

Cllr Roger Curry was also elected as Chairman of the Council at the meeting, replacing Cllr Keith Stone, who sadly died in April. Cllr Derek Cotterill was elected as Vice Chairman.

Speaking after his appointment as Chairman of the Council, Cllr Curry said: “I promise to best represent this Council at the civic events I attend and to be a fair, friendly and effective Chairman over the next 12 months.”

New Members were also welcomed to the Council and Membership of Council Committees and Sub-Committees was also decided at the meeting.

Posted : 18/05/2007 01:44:17

Other recent Witney news items posted on the Witney website


Ultrafast broadband delivered to more than 10,000 properties in the District

More than 10,000 rural homes and businesses in West Oxfordshire now have access to ultrafast full-fibre internet, providing them with some of the fastest broadband speeds in the world. This milesto...


Residents and businesses urged to be patient as Covid-19 test centre is built in Witney

An NHS Covid-19 testing centre is to be built in Witney to improve support for residents. The building will be situated in the Woodford Way car park and is expected to remain for at least three mon...


Oxfordshire close to 'high' COVID-19 alert level

Residents are being advised to be extra vigilant, particularly over half-term, as cases of coronavirus continue to spread across the county. Evidence shows that, in the past two weeks, the virus ha...


West Oxfordshire Gym Data Reveals the Numbers of Locals that Returned to the Gym after lockdown

Better, the largest operator of municipal leisure facilities in the UK releases gym usage data since reopening: West Oxfordshire has seen a total of 20537 visits to their local gyms 26-34-year old...


View the full Witney Blog