Cabinet changes at Newark and Sherwood District Council

Councillor Paul Peacock said, “It’s now been just over a year since we moved into a collaborative administration, and I was elected Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council. We have already achieved so much as an administration in such a short space of time, with lots of exciting projects having been delivered or in progress across the district.

“We have a collaborative administration here at Newark and Sherwood which is an extremely positive experience. It is important to hear and take into consideration other people’s views and this in turn builds a much stronger Council for all of our residents and I look forward to continuing to work together with all Councillors.

“However, it is right and important that every once in a while, we take a step back and evaluate our position. When I appointed my Cabinet and Portfolio Holders last year, I said we would, in the future, reassess the makeup of Cabinet to ensure our remits align with resident need – I recognise this as being the right time to do so. Therefore, I would like to communicate to you a couple of changes to my Cabinet.

“Previously I welcomed Councillor Claire Penny, who has a wealth of experience and passion for our local economy in Newark and Sherwood, to Cabinet and she will be taking the Sustainable Economic Development Portfolio forward. 

“In addition, Councillor Emma Oldham will be moving from the Independents for Newark and District and will represent her ward and our residents as a Green Party Councillor*. Councillor Oldham will continue to work in Cabinet and put residents, the environment and biodiversity at the heart of the District Council’s decisions. I look forward to our continued work together.”

*Subject to Green Party protocols.

Councillor Emma Oldham said, “I am proud of all I have achieved with the Independents for Newark and District; we have delivered on some really exciting projects that will continue to enrich the lives of our residents for years to come. Irrespective of moving political parties, the residents of Newark and Sherwood will always remain my central priority. I am absolutely dedicated to the development and delivery of environmental and natural policies and the positive impact this can have on residents’ health and wellbeing. I remain committed to doing this important work within Cabinet and I look forward to continuing to work with the administration to make Newark and Sherwood more biodiverse, protect our incredible environment for the community and the great place we live in!”

Councillor Peacock continues, “Furthermore, there will now be a reduced number of Councillors in my Cabinet, with myself and six Portfolio Holders. The importance of Climate Change is such that it is now something we believe runs through everything we do as a Council and is now a central consideration to every Portfolio. This means that Councillor Keith Melton will be stepping away from Cabinet. I would like to thank him for his excellent work on this which has really made a difference to how the Council and our district have taken the Climate Change challenges onboard and made real progress.

“This reduction in Portfolio Holders will reduce the cost of the administration. This is important to me given the cost-of-living challenges that we are still experiencing and that lots of our residents are still feeling the devastating impacts of this. Over the next couple of weeks, I will now work with my Portfolio Holders and District Council colleagues to revisit the remit of each Portfolio. These decisions have been made in order to do what is best by our residents and to allow us to serve them in the best way possible.

“My Cabinet will continue to enjoy a collaborative approach with the Labour Party, Independents for Newark and District and the Green Party working together for the residents of Newark and Sherwood.  

“We will continue to work positively and constructively with the Liberal Democrats and their expertise and experience.”

Councillor Peter Harris, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said, “We have been pleased to work with the other groups over the last year and are proud of the achievements and progress we have made together in addressing Climate Change here and to improve the lives of our residents. We hope to continue to work with the administration in the future.”

The Portfolio Holders at Newark and Sherwood District Council, as announced today, are as follows:

• Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance and Finance (Labour)
• Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture and the Arts (Independents for Newark and District)
• Councillor Emma Oldham, Portfolio Holder for Biodiversity and Environmental Services (Green Party)
• Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development (Labour)
• Councillor Lee Brazier, Portfolio Holder for Housing (Labour)
• Councillor Susan Crosby, Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure (Independents for Newark and District)
• Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations (Labour)