11:52am Friday 9th May 2008
By Pete Lammas
CHANGES that reflect new priorities have been made to the all-powerful district council's executive cabinet.
Councillor Roger Hollingworth, who was re-elected leader at last Wednesday's annual meeting of Bromsgrove District Council, has kept his cabinet members, but made changes to their responsibilities.
Explaining the reasons he said: "We have tried to refocus the portfolio holders' remits to concentrate on our priorities, so we are investing in the areas which our residents have told us are important to them.
"I believe that through these changes, this cabinet will continue to help this council improve at the rate it is now, which sees us dubbed as the fastest improving council in the country."
Cllr Hollingworth has given himself the task of being responsible for youth and leisure, assisted by Cllr Helen Jones Cllr June Griffiths was re-elected deputy leader in addition to holding the portfolio for street scene, car parks and community safety.
Cllr Mike Webb will look after the Customer Service Centre, revenue generation, special events, performance indicators and improvement plan.
Cllr Del Booth has major projects including paperless office and the project management of Longbridge, the town centre, spatial project and the transfer of the Dolphin Centre.
Legal, equalities and democratic services, personnel and elderly people's issues will be dealt with by Cllr Roger Smith.
Cllr Peter Whittaker adds climate change to his housing and environmental health portfolio.
Cllr Jill Dyer retains planning policy and transportation, while Cllr Margaret Sherrey heads waste management and recycling.
The council's purse strings will continue to be in the firm grasp of Cllr Geoff Denaro.
The meeting saw Cllr Caroline Spencer become the new council chairman and Cllr Chris Scurrell vice-chairman.
Born in Lichfield and raised in Margate, Cllr Scurrell is a parish councillor for Belbroughton and Fairfield. He was elected to represent Hagley on the district council in 2001. He took voluntary redundancy after 33 years with the Austin/Morris/Land Rover group.
Cllr Peter McDonald was re-elected leader of the opposition.
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