Longest Serving Councillor To Be Mayor of Wyre
It's all change for Wyre's Cabinet with a planned reshuffle of senior councillors set for May.
Council Leader Russell Forsyth (pictured) announced the changes at the council meeting held on Thursday and will take place to coincide with one of the borough's longest-serving councillors becoming the new Mayor of Wyre for 2009/10.
Councillor Alan Vincent, Current Deputy Leader and Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder will take up his new role as Wyre's First Citizen at the official Mayor Making Ceremony which will be held on 15 May. Fellow Cabinet Member, Councillor Peter Gibson, will move portfolios and take on Councillor Vincent's responsibilities during his time as Mayor. Councillor Gibson currently holds the title of Living Communities Portfolio Holder and, under the new arrangements, Councillor Pete Murphy will join Wyre's revised Cabinet as his official replacement.
Newcomer to the Cabinet, Councillor Murphy, who is a retired policeman, said: " I'm delighted to take on this challenge as engaging with local communities, improving services and ensuring excellent customer service are things that I feel very passionate about in my role as a Ward Councillor for Brock Ward.
"Working on the frontline in the police force for thirty years enabled me to be involved at the heart of communities, listening to and working closely with local residents to improve the quality of life in the borough, and I look forward to working with my fellow Cabinet Colleagues to champion these principles for the people of Wyre."
FYLDElife reveals Wyre's new-look Cabinet:
Leader - Councillor Russell Forsyth
Responsibilities include strategic leadership, external partnerships, local strategic partnerships, comprehensive performance assessment
Deputy Leader and Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder - Councillor Peter Gibson
Responsibilities include finance, human resources, asset management, procurement and value for money
Living Places Portfolio Holder - Councillor Vivien Taylor
Responsibilities include Street Scene, flood and coastal defences and built heritage
Living Economy Portfolio Holder - Councillor Peter Hawley
Responsibilities include transport infrastructure, local economy, tourism and regeneration
Living Safely Portfolio Holder - Councillor Graeme Cocker
Responsibilities include community safety, young people and environmental health
Living Communities Portfolio Holder - Councillor Pete Murphy
Responsibilities include modernising services, improving electronic government, community engagement and equality and diversity
Living Healthily Portfolio Holder - Councillor Lynne Bowen
Responsibilities include housing, healthier lifestyles and older people
Speaking about changes to the Cabinet, Councillor Forsyth said: "I am very pleased with the arrangements we have put in place for Wyre's Cabinet this year and welcome Councillors Gibson and Murphy to their new roles and wish them every success. I would like to thank all of the councillors for the excellent work they have done in the past, particularly Councillor Vincent, who I am sure will enjoy himself immensely and be a very deserving and popular Mayor."
Planned changes to Wyre's committees are:
Councillor Roger Brooks will continue as Chairman of the Community Watchdog Committee.
Councillor Barry Birch will replace Councillor Murphy as Chairman for the Corporate Services Watchdog Committee.
Councillor Gordon McCann will become Chairman of the Customer Service Watchdog Committee.
Councillor May Gandhi will continue in her role as Chairman of the Licensing Committee. She will also be Wyre's Deputy Mayor for 2009/10.
Councillor Paul Moon will continue as Chairman of the Planning Committee.
Councillor Clive Grunshaw is expected to continue as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Last Edited: 06/03/2009