Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s new Labour administration has unveiled its senior team to make our city a better place to live, grow up, work and enjoy.
The new cabinet was announced at the authority’s annual council meeting today (Thursday 25 May). The cabinet will address a number of serious legacy issues faced by the city and drive economic growth, community safety and residents’ wellbeing.
As well as leading the council, Councillor Jane Ashworth OBE will take on Strategy, Economic Development, Culture and Sport.
Deputy Leader Councillor Amjid Wazir is responsible for Environment and Enforcement. This diverse portfolio includes the new administration’s targets for improvement including highways maintenance and fly-tipping as well as all waste collection and recycling.
Experienced social care leader Councillor Sarah Hill returns to a cabinet job with the Adults portfolio, while Councillor Lynn Watkins takes on the challenge of improving Children’s Services.
Navy veteran Councillor Desiree Elliott will be responsible for Health and Wellbeing and Councillor Chris Robinson takes on Housing.
Councillor Alastair Watson is responsible for Finance and Corporate Services, while the Baddeley, Milton and Norton Councillor Duncan Walker takes on the Planning and Regeneration portfolio.
Responsibility for Communities, Education and Safety goes to Councillor David Williams.
Council Leader Jane Ashworth said the team brought talent, passion, skill and experience to their roles.
She said: “We face many challenges in making our city a better place to live, work and enjoy, not least in the face of the huge government cuts to the council budget we have borne, and the cost of living crisis.
“While we will plan and work hard to deliver many positives we will also be open and honest about the real state of this council and our city. Some difficult decisions lie ahead.
“But this cabinet has already started working hard to right wrongs, to address issues we discovered after winning the election and to get this council, and this city, back on track. That mission is being supported by talented and diverse councillors from all walks of life and a great mix of youth and experience.
“We’ve been meeting with council officers, setting out our vision and starting the work we’ve been elected to do.
“We’ll make sure the council puts all of our people first, with care and kindness. And we will put Stoke-on-Trent on the map as a great city – not a small city, but an economic driving force and a place for residents, communities and businesses to thrive.”
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