BRISTOL’S Liberal Democrats have announced the roles councillors will take up in the cabinet – if the hung council agrees tomorrow.
Barbara Janke (Clifton) has set out which councillors will take control of key portfolios if she is reinstated as leader of Bristol City Council at the authority’s annual meeting on Tuesday.
The May 5 local elections left no party in overall control of the city council and talks are continuing between the Lib Dems and the other political groups.
The party remains the largest group on the council, with 33 seats out of 70, but will depend on cooperation from elsewhere in the chamber for Mrs Janke to become leader again.
New cabinet member for transport Tim Kent
and sport.
Jon Rogers (Ashley) would remain in charge of health and care and Anthony Negus (Cotham) would retain the portfolio of housing and regeneration.
Gary Hopkins (Knowle), would remain in charge of waste and parks but the transport part of his portfolio would shift to Tim Kent (Whitchurch Park).
New cabinet member for neighbourhoods Guy Poultney
Guy Poultney (Lockleaze), would take on responsibility for neighbourhoods.
The Labour representatives on the council have also announced their new leadership team, which sees two new faces on their front bench.
The group replaced previous leader Helen Holland with returning councillor Peter Hammond, just two days after winning four new seats.
Councillor Mark Bradshaw will continue as deputy leader, with responsibility for transport and communication.
Mike Wollacott joins the bench, dealing with the environment, along with Margaret Hickman, for young people.
They join the existing team of Jenny Smith (older people), Ron Stone (neighbourhoods), Derek Pickup (regeneration and jobs), Mark Brain (resources and finance) and Faruk Choudhury (culture, leisure and equalities).
Mr Hammond said: “Had Thursday’s elections been for all of the council then Labour would have won outright control of the council from the Liberal Democrats.
“So although Bristolians haven’t got the council political make-up they voted for, we are announcing our leadership team to bring that about in the next elections in 2013.”
He said the party had “refreshed” the team to help campaign more strongly.
