A REPORT will be compiled on a committee system which could be used to make future decisions by Bromsgrove District Council.
A motion to change the model from the current leader and cabinet system was put forward by Labour’s Coun Peter McDonald at the first meeting of the new-look council on Wednesday.
The motion was backed by a majority with all Labour and Lib Dem members voting for it, along with some Conservatives and some Independents.
The new system – should it be voted through once the report due in September has been compiled – could not be implemented until May, 2024 – at the district council’s next Annual General Meeting.
In the meantime, the leader and cabinet model will continue but with a mixture of parties represented in key roles.
On Wednesday, Coun Karen May, the leader of Conservatives (the largest party) was re-elected as leader of the council.
Independent Sue Baxter was voted in as deputy leader.
Labour’s Coun Sam Ammar was named as the new chairman of Bromsgrove District Council with Coun Bakul Kumar serving as vice-chairman.
Coun May said: “Following the election I reached out to all groups and in the spirit of cross-party working we have now formed a Cabinet of members of both “the Conservative and Independent political groups to support the delivery of services and the betterment of Bromsgrove District.”
Coun Ammar said: “It’s a huge privilege and an honour to have been elected as Chairman of Bromsgrove District Council.
“I will dedicate myself to the people of Bromsgrove District and represent this great constituency as an ambassador for the council.”
After 24 years of a Conservative majority on Bromsgrove District Council, the party lost overall control at the election earlier this month.
There is no longer a majority party on the council, with the Conservatives holding 11 seats, compared to Labour’s eight.
The rest comprises of seven independents and five Liberal Democrats.
Coun Baxter said: “I look forward to working together with all members of the council over the forthcoming months.
“We have a fantastic opportunity ahead of us, an opportunity to work together across all political parties and groups to build a council that makes decisions democratically.
“It will also be one that builds on the work it already does to support all our communities and helps them prosper across the whole of Bromsgrove district.”
Coun May’s cabinet is as follows:
- Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Partnerships, Cllr Karen May (Conservative).
- Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Regeneration, Cllr Sue Baxter (Independent).
- Portfolio Holder for Finance and Enabling, Cllr Charlie Hotham (Independent).
- Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Climate Change, Cllr Steve Colella (Independent).
- Portfolio Holder for Health and Well-being and Strategic Housing, Cllr Shirley Webb (Conservative).
- Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services and Community Safety, Cllr Peter Whittaker (Conservative).
- Portfolio Holder for Planning, Licensing and Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Cllr Kit Taylor (Conservative).
