Central Bedfordshire Shadow Executive Appointed
David McVicar (representing Icknield) was elected as Chairman of the Shadow Council and Tony Duggan (Woburn) as his Vice-Chairman.
The Shadow Executive will have four members from each of the three authorities merging to form Central Bedfordshire. Tricia Turner as the Leader of Mid Beds, one of the proposing authorities, will be the Chairman of the Shadow Executive.
Shadow Executive members are:
From Mid Beds District Council: Tricia Turner (Con) Ken Matthews (Con), Maurice Jones (Con) and Mark Chapman (Lib-Dem)
From South Bedfordshire District Council: Norman Costin (Con), Peter Rawcliffe (Con), Philip Penman (Con) and Peter Snelling (Lib-Dem)
From Bedfordshire County Council: Richard Stay (Con); Rita Drinkwater (Con), Bob King (Con), Duncan Ross (Lab)
The portfolio holders on the Shadow Executive are:
Chairman - Tricia Turner
Deputy Chairman - Philip Penman
Children, Young People and Families – Norman Costin
Social Care, Health and Housing – Peter Rawcliffe
Safer and Stronger Communities – Peter Snelling
Sustainable Development – Ken Matthews
Customer and Community Engagement – Bob King
Corporate Resources – Maurice Jones
Support across all portfolios: Richard Stay, Rita Drinkwater, Duncan Ross and Mark Chapman
Tricia Turner said: “This week has seen ever greater pressure being applied to the accelerator, and our well oiled machine saw the Shadow Authority take off with ease from the starting blocks, amidst the excitement and buzz surrounding inaugural Shadow Council meeting.
“All the 124 councillors have a part to play in the formation of the new authority, as existing members are now asked to play an ever greater representational role on behalf of their communities, helping to bring forward their views into the Shadow Council's decision-making process.
“Moving forward success will mean that we are in a strong position to undertake the smooth transfer of services from the three existing authorities, across to the new Central Bedfordshire Council by April 2009. Tremendous opportunities and challenges lie ahead.”
Philip Penman said “I’m glad that we’re all now out of the starting blocks and working well together on the development of the new council. There’s a lot to be done before the new Central Bedfordshire Council begins serving the community in April 2009. But we’ve made a good start on all the work required. I look forward to being a part of the major task of creating a good value for money, dependable and effective organisation for everybody who lives and works in Central Bedfordshire.”
“I should also like to reassure residents and businesses that throughout this demanding period of transition to the new set-up, all our local services will continue to be delivered efficiently and effectively, with no drop in quality.
Cllr Richard Stay said: "I am looking forward to taking on the very real and difficult challenges inherent in creating a new authority, but we have the team to do it through the expertise at all three outgoing authorities and the vision and ambition to deliver better and more efficient council services to our residents."
The Shadow Council also appointed officers to interim posts for the transition to the new council. A mix of senior officers from Mid and South Bedfordshire District Councils and the County Council will work on a Central Implementation Team and Officer Programme Board. Also a number of interim posts were appointed to:
Interim Head of Staff: Jaki Salisbury (Mid Beds District Council)
Deputy Interim Head of Staff: Jon Ruddick (South Bedfordshire District Council)
Interim monitoring Officer: Barbara Morris (Mid Beds District Council)
Deputy Interim monitoring Officer: Amerjit Kang (South Bedfordshire District Council)
Interim Financial Officer: David Sutherland (Mid Beds District Council)
Deputy Interim Financial Officer: Nick Murley (South Bedfordshire District Council)
