St Helens Council Leader Derek Long has confirmed his new Cabinet for 2018-19 at Annual Council today (Wednesday 16th May).
The announcement of a new look Cabinet sees a change to all portfolio titles, a strengthening of the borough’s commitment to its residents and communities, and a focus on a balanced economic growth agenda.
Councillor Long pledged that residents – especially vulnerable groups – will be ‘at the heart’ of every decision the council takes. He pointed to the creation of a new Developing Young People portfolio, which will look to raise aspirations across St Helens specifically in young people through education. A Better Health and Building Arts & Culture portfolio will ‘put people first’, bringing a sharper focus on health and social care and also more closely aligning arts and culture with people’s wellbeing.
A new ‘community based’ portfolio has been developed which will see services delivered in the community brought together, and will include services such as libraries, leisure, community safety and youth services.
Changes have also been made to the number of portfolios, with a reduction from ten to eight.
The new Cabinet and portfolios are as follows:
Leader of the Council
Councillor Derek Long
Covering oversight of Council Strategy and Policy, Audit and Governance, Budget Strategy, Communications, Partner and Stakeholder Engagement
Balanced Development, Housing and Economic Opportunity
Councillor Andy Bowden (Deputy Leader)
Covering Planning, Economic Development, Housing Strategy, Town Centres
Better Neighbourhoods
Councillor Lynne Clarke
Covering Recycling & Waste, Traded Services, Engineering, Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Parking, Licensing
Community Based and Focused Services
Councillor Anthony Burns
Covering Libraries, Leisure, Community Safety, Housing Services, Youth Services
Adult Social Care
Councillor Marlene Quinn
Covering Adult Care and Support
Better Health and Building Arts & Culture
Councillor Gill Neal
Covering St Helens Cares Strategic Overview, Public Health, Arts & Culture
Developing Young People
Councillor Joe Pearson
Covering Children’s Services, Education, SEND
Collaborative Services
Councillor Anthony Johnson
Covering Corporate Governance, Finance, Local Taxation and Benefits, Organisational Development, Legal Services, IT, Democratic Service/Civic Events
Other key appointments include:
Councillor Jeanie Bell, Chair of Licensing Committee
Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, Chair of Planning Committee
Councillor Andy Bowden will take up the position of Deputy Leader.
Allocation of seats on Committees is offered under proportional representation, which represents the number of seats held by political parties on the council.
