Cllr Tim Harris, the new Leader of Reading Borough Council’s Conservative Group, has announced his new Shadow team following a wide-ranging reshuffle.
The new Shadow Cabinet is:
Leader and Enterprise & Economic Development – Cllr Tim Harris
Dep Leader and Equality, Communities & Voluntary Sector – Cllr Jeanette Skeats
Finance & Property – Cllr David Stevens
Strategic Planning & Transport – Cllr Richard Willis
Children, Education & School Improvement – Cllr Mark Ralph
Transformation, Policy Co-ordination & Scrutiny – Cllr Tom Stanway
Environment & Housing – Cllr Isobel Ballsdon
Community Care & Health – Cllr Dave Luckett
Culture & Sport - Cllr Emma Warman
The following have been appointed as spokespeople (not Shadow Cabinet positions):
Lead for Crime & Policing – Cllr Jenny Rynn
Lead for Licencing – Cllr Jeanette Skeats
Lead for Planning – Cllr Isobel Ballsdon
Deputy Lead for Culture & Sport – Cllr James Anderson
Deputy Lead for Children, Education & Families – Cllr Sandra Vickers
Deputy Lead for Transport – Cllr Azam Janjua
In addition the following have been appointed:
Deputy Whip – Cllr Jenny Rynn
Cycle Champion – Cllr Dave Luckett
PR & Media – Cllr Richard Willis
Cllr Tim Harris said, “This is a fantastic team that will set the agenda and take the fight to Labour, highlighting the many areas where they are failing the people of Reading. There is a good mix of experience and new faces in the Shadow Cabinet and I am particularly delighted to welcome Cllrs Dave Luckett and Emma Warman who join the front bench for the first time.
Labour are a minority administration and it is important to have an effective and vocal opposition to hold them to account and ensure that Reading people are heard.”