Following the election of Councillor Mark Hunter as Leader of Stockport Council last week, the Liberal Democrats have formed their first Cabinet for six years.
Alongside Cllr Hunter, who will focus on strategic partnerships, including at the City Region level, and the council’s policy, performance, communications and consultation, seven colleagues join his Cabinet.
Cllr Wendy Meikle, a councillor for 18 years, a Cabinet Member in the previous Liberal Democrat administration and Shadow Cabinet Member for Children and Families for the past six years, is Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families.
Cllr Malcolm Allan, a councillor for six years, a maths graduate with over 25 years’ experience as a director in large manufacturing companies, including responsibility for HR and sustainability, is Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.
Cllr Mark Roberts, a passionate driver for change, pushed for action on Climate Change and the Environment as part of our Shadow Cabinet whilst serving as Chair of Scrutiny Coordination and Chair of Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee, is Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, a portfolio reintroduced from the last Liberal Democrat administration.
Cllr Grace Baynham, our new Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services, is a member of a number of arts and heritage organisations, has served on a number of committees since becoming a councillor three years ago, and has many years’ experience working in the NHS.
Cllr Colin MacAlister, a past Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Stockport with over 34 years’ experience as a Councillor, becomesCabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, a role he has shadowed for the past four years.
Cllr Helen Foster-Grime, now in her ninth year as a councillor including experience as a Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet member, has over 20 years’ experience leading organisations, playing an active role in community and volunteer groups and is the new Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing.
Last but by no means least, Cllr Keith Holloway has been a councillor for over ten years, a former Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet Member and Health Scrutiny Chair following many years working in the NHS, becomes Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care.
Speaking after confirming his appointments, Cllr Mark Hunter, the new Leader of Stockport Council, said: “It is an honour to be elected to lead Stockport Council once again and to form the first Liberal Democrat administration in six years, a real fresh start. I am delighted to be working alongside such a talented Cabinet with wide ranging skills and experience.
“We have hit the ground running with a review already launched into the removal of library services from our Carnegie-endowment Central Library, and work has started on understanding the financial position we have inherited from the previous administration. We are ambitious for Stockport and we want to ensure we deliver for our residents and businesses, in close cooperation with all partners.”