The Liberal Democrat Group have formed a minority administration on Bath & North East Somerset Council following the Annual General Meeting held tonight (Thursday 19th May 2011).
The outcome follows negotiations between all the political parties about who was to run the Council and form an administration after the recent Local Government Election result in the district where no political party secured an overall majority.
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown) was elected as Leader of Council. He said, “This is a big responsibility we are taking on and as an administration we will be listening more closely to the views and aspirations of our residents from across the whole of the Bath and North East Somerset area.
“We intend to improve openness and transparency of the Council, including making as many decisions as possible in public session. We will work to cut waste and maintain the Council Tax freeze in line with government policy.”
There will be 7 further Cabinet Members taking responsibility for specific service areas. There will be no increase in cost to the local taxpayer as the current allowances for 5 cabinet members will be shared amongst the 7 new cabinet members. These are:
· Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib-Dem, Peasedown) – Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children, and Youth and Deputy Leader of Council.
· Councillor David Bellotti (Lib-Dem, Lyncombe) – Cabinet Member for Community Resources;
· Councillor Simon Allen (Lib-Dem, Radstock) – Cabinet Member for Wellbeing;
· Councillor Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton) – Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning;
· Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down) – Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development;
· Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield) – Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods (Leisure, Culture, Waste and Environmental Services, Community Safety);
· Councillor Roger Symonds (Lib-Dem, Combe Down) – Cabinet Member for Transport.
The new Chairman of Council will be Councillor Peter Edwards. He said, “I’m delighted to have been selected by my fellow councillors as the civic representative for the Council over the next year. I will be following the theme of ‘Recognition of Achievement in the Community’ which I hope will encourage the recognition of the active roles so many people play in their local community and throughout the area.”
The Vice-Chairman of Council will be Councillor Rob Appleyard.