Basingstoke ObserverTHE new Cabinet that will take decisions at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been announced by Leader Cllr Simon Bound and Hampshire County Council has elected a new Leader and new Chair.
At the Council meeting on Thursday 19 May, Cllr Bound announced his Cabinet, following the elections on Thursday 5 May where a number of former Cabinet members did not stand for re-election.
Cllr John Izett continues as Deputy Leader, as well as Cabinet Member for Finance and Property.
A new councillor is joining the Cabinet team, with Cllr Samuel Carr taking the role of Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration.
Cllr Bound announced that experienced councillors would be staying in Cabinet roles but with changes to their portfolio responsibilities: Cabinet Member for Resident Services – Cllr Rebecca Bean; Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Action – Cllr Hayley Eachus; Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure – Cllr Jay Ganesh; Cabinet Member for Partnerships – Cllr Jenny Vaux.
Cllr Bound said: “At a time when people are struggling with rising bills, we have a strong and diverse Cabinet committed to the borough being a place where everyone feels included and thrives. We have reorganised our portfolio areas around our key council priorities, delivering great value services for one of the lowest council taxes of districts in the country and supporting those who need it. The focus in all our work is on achieving our carbon net zero targets and taking action on the ecological emergency.
In planning for the future, we want to ensure that we protect our environment while balancing the need for good jobs and somewhere great to live. We will work to attract the best employers and facilities to benefit our residents, including securing investment in a new hospital. After hearing what is most important to people, we must now drive forward on breathing new life into Basingstoke town centre and the leisure park to make them more sustainable for the future.”
On the same day, at the Annual General Meeting of Hampshire County Council, it was announced that Councillor Rob Humby has been elected as the new County Council Leader and Councillor Marge Harvey has been elected as Chairman.
The County Council met to formally establish the new administration where Councillor Humby officially took up his new role. It follows the announcement earlier this year by former Leader, Councillor Keith Mans, that he was stepping down from the role after three years.
Councillor Rob Humby has been the Hampshire County Councillor for Bishops Waltham since 2013, Executive Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, and the County Council’s Deputy Leader since May 2019. Councillor Marge Harvey was elected to the position of Chairman, and outgoing Chairman, Councillor Mel Kendal was thanked at the meeting for his tenure, including for an additional year in post, following the height of the COVID pandemic.
In her role as Chairman, Councillor Harvey is the civic head of the county. She will represent the County Council on Royal visits and ceremonial occasions in Hampshire as well as carry out other civic activities and duties. The Chairman presides over County Council meetings and ensures they are conducted in line with Standing Orders and that they are a forum for debating issues.
Councillor Harvey was first elected to Hampshire County Council in 2013, representing the Catherington division. At the meeting, Councillor Harvey announced that her theme for her year as Chairman will be to promote health, and the work of the County Council to help make Hampshire a happy and healthier place to live. Councillor Patricia Stallard, County Councillor for Winchester Southern Parishes, was elected Vice Chairman.
The full Cabinet has been confirmed as: Cllr Rob Humby – Leader and Executive Member for Policy and Resources and Economic Development; Cllr Roz Chadd – Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services; Cllr Edward Heron – Executive Lead Member for Transport and Environment Strategy; Cllr Nick Adams-King – Executive Member for Highways Operations; Cllr Jan Warwick – Executive Member for Climate Change and Sustainability; Cllr Liz Fairhurst – Executive Member for Adult Services and Public Health; Cllr Steve Forster – Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Estates and Property; Cllr Russell Oppenheimer – Executive Member for Recreation, Heritage and Rural Affairs; Cllr Kirsty North – Executive Member for Performance, Human Resources and Inclusion & Diversity.
