Proposed New Administration Announced

THE PROPOSED new Administration and Deputy Leader have been announced for Reading Borough Council for the Municipal Year ahead.

Following on from this month’s local election results in Reading - in which the ruling Labour group remains the largest party on the Council with 32 out of 48 seats - the group will continue to form the new Administration in 2024/25.

Last week it was announced that Councillor Liz Terry has been selected as the new Group Leader. She is set to be ratified as the new Leader of Reading Borough Council at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 22 May, alongside all other appointments. 

Councillor Micky Leng has been nominated as Deputy Leader of the Council, taking up the post vacated by Cllr Terry.

The proposed portfolios and associated Lead Councillors are:

Adult Social Care – Cllr Paul Gittings

Children – Cllr Wendy Griffith

Education & Public Health – Cllr Ruth McEwan

Environmental Services & Community Safety – Cllr Karen Rowland

Housing – Cllr Matt Yeo

Leisure & Culture – Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward

Corporate Services & Resources – Cllr Ellie Emberson

Climate Strategy & Transport – Cllr John Ennis

Planning & Assets – Cllr Micky Leng (as well as Deputy Leader of the Council)

Councillor Liz Terry said:

“The year ahead promises to be an extremely busy one for the Council once again, with continued progress on a number of key projects, whether that is the continuation of our biggest ever road repair programme, the imminent opening of the new Rivermead pool, progress on our new Central Library, continuing to build more affordable Council homes and improving ways residents can get around town. Every bit as important however is the day-to-day delivery of many hundreds of essential Council services which are increasingly relied on by so many residents, and that is not without its own difficulties given the enormous financial challenges now facing all local authorities.

“I am nevertheless confident that this proposed front bench team has both the experience and the knowledge of Reading to tackle those challenges head-on and repay the trust once again put in us by the electorate.

“I look forward to working closely with Cllr Leng, who like me has lived in Reading all his life, which brings with it an intimate knowledge of the communities, organisations and people which together make up our wonderful town.”

Councillor Micky Leng said:

“It is a privilege to be nominated as Deputy Leader by colleagues. Reading is the place I have always called home. Those who know me, know I am passionate about our town.

“I very much look forward to working closely with Liz who has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to understanding what makes Reading tick and, like myself, we will put our town and its residents front and centre.

“I’m genuinely humbled to play such a central role in building on the progress the Council has made in recent years, delivering improved facilities for Reading residents, and on focusing resources on those communities who need our support the most, and that is something I intend to continue in the new role.”

Cllr Glenn Dennis, current Deputy Mayor of the Council, has been nominated as Reading’s new Mayor, with Cllr Alice Mpofu-Coles nominated as Deputy Mayor for 2024/25.

The proposed Committee Chairs for 2024/25 are:

Adult Social Care, Children’s Services & Education: Cllr Alice Mpofu-Coles

Housing Neighbourhoods and Leisure: Cllr Rachel Eden

Strategic Environment, Planning & Transport: Cllr Will Cross

Traffic Management Sub-Committee: Cllr Jacopo Lanzoni

Planning Applications Committee: Cllr Jan Gavin

Licensing Committee: Cllr Paul Woodward

The full agenda for the Council’s AGM on Wednesday 22 May 22 can be found at:  https://democracy.reading.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=342&MId=5541