Lib Dem Shadow Executive Unveiled

3.51.09pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th May 2005

Following an election within the group West Berkshire Council Liberal Democrats have unveiled their Shadow Executive Team for 2005/6. In addition to the normal work of a councillor for the people of their ward, these councillors will be helping to ensure that the West Berkshire Council will be held accountable to its people in their various particular areas of responsibility:

Jeff Brooks, Leader of the Opposition (Councillor for Thatcham West) with Special Responsibility for Procurement, Gershon savings and Partnerships

Denise Gaines, Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Councillor for Hungerford) with Special Responsibility for Finance, Property, HR, Policy and Performance and ICT

Phil Barnett (Councillor for Newbury Clay Hill): Community Care and Affordable Housing

Roger Hunneman (Councillor for Newbury Victoria): Culture and Libraries (covering also Risk, Audit and Quality and Legal/Electoral)

Sally Hannon (Councillor for Newbury St Johns): Children and Young People (also Chair of the Children & Young People Select Committee)

Owen Jeffery (Councillor for Thatcham South & Crookham): Waste and Highways

Royce Longton (Councillor for Burghfield): Environment and Planning (including the South East Housing plan)

Keith Woodhams (Councillor for Thatcham West): Community Safety and Public Protection (covers Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Emergency Planning and Licensing and Community Safety).

Commenting, leader of the opposition, Councillor Jeff Brooks said:

"I would like to pay tribute to the success of the previous Lib Dem Executive Team who succeeded in expanding the community warden scheme, getting a site and operator for a new Newbury cinema and helped the public to recycle more across West Berkshire.

The independent Audit Commission rated West Berkshire a 'good' Council, up from 'fair' and rated it as 4/4 for value for money. The Shadow Executive team will hold to account the new Conservative administration to ensure that they safeguard the services local people rely on."