Cllr Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of the Opposition, has today announced the line-up of councillors to help “restore Plymouth’s trust in Labour” as part of the party’s recovery plan after losing control of Plymouth City Council in May’s local elections.
The new Shadow Cabinet will work to “scrutinise and demand a fair deal for the people of Plymouth.”
Cllr Evans said: “The Labour new team highlights the very best of our Labour team on the City Council and unlike the new Tory cabinet has as many men as women.
After eleven years of Tory cuts, council services have been cut to the bone. The new Tory administration has made big pledges, but their own party have cut the funding to deliver them. As well as scrutinising the new council we will be listening to people of Plymouth as part of Labour’s plan to return to power. The central plank of that will be to demand a fair deal for the people of Plymouth and I’m excited about working with Labour’s new team to do just that.”
Plymouth City Council’s Conservative Cabinet is male dominated with just two women prompting Labour’s former Parliamentary Candidate for Plymouth Moor View, Charlotte Holloway, to ask whether the new Tory Leader has a problem with women.
Cllr Sue Dann, the newly elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Group said:
“Labour’s fightback starts with reconnecting with the communities where we lost councillors in May. It also means making sure we are fighting fit with new policies, a new energy and a clear vision for our city. Plymouth is a brilliant place to live, work and play and Labour’s job is to work every day to ensure every person in our city has every opportunity to get on and achieve their best.”
The new Labour Shadow Cabinet includes promotions for former Royal Navy Commodore, Cllr Gareth Derrick, who takes on the transformation portfolio. Former midwife Cllr Mary Aspinall takes the lead on adult social care and Peverell Councillor and one of the campaigners for the refurbishment of Pounds House in Central Park, Cllr Sarah Allen, is promoted to take on the parks and leisure brief.
Shadow Cabinet
Cllr Tudor Evans – Leader of the Opposition,
Economic & Sectoral Development, Major Projects
Cllr Sue Dann – Deputy Leader of the Opposition,
Climate Change, Environment and Street Scene
Cllr Sarah Allen – HR, Leisure Services and Parks
Cllr Mary Aspinall – Adult Social Care and Health
Cllr Mark Coker – Strategic Planning, Transport, Tourism, Events
Cllr Gareth Derrick – Transformation & Value, Fire Safety & Emergency Planning
Cllr Sally Haydon – Police and Crime, Crematoria, Regulatory Services
Cllr Jemima Laing – Education and Children’s Social Care
Cllr Mark Lowry – Finance, Housing, City Centre
Cllr Chris Penberthy – Community Assets, Co-operative Development, Anti-Poverty
Scrutiny Leads
Cllr Mary Aspinall – Adult Social Care and Health
Cllr Pam Buchan – BILCO
Cllr Jemima Laing – Children
Cllr Chris Penberthy – Finance and Performance
Shadow Cabinet advisors on Planning and Licensing Issues
Cllr Bill Stevens – Planning Applications and Planning Legislation
Cllr Eddie Rennie – Street Trading, Pubs and Clubs, Misc. Licensing
Cllr Margaret Corvid – Taxis & Hackney Carriages