Councillor Joe Harris reshuffles Cotswold District Council cabinet
Leader of Cotswold District Council, Cllr Joe Harris, has announced a reshaped leadership team to drive forward the Council’s top priorities.
The newly appointed, seven-member Cabinet will save local taxpayers approximately £8,000 per year while delivering on key commitments.
This change follows the decision by Cllr Lisa Spivey to step back from her Cabinet role and Cllr Tony Dale’s choice to focus on his recovery after a recent car accident. Both Cllr Spivey and Cllr Dale have been instrumental in their roles over the past five years, and Cllr Harris extended his gratitude for their hard work and dedication.
“We’re immensely grateful to Lisa and Tony for their commitment and many achievements,” said Cllr Harris. “Lisa has overseen the development of hundreds of affordable homes for local people and has taken a strong stand in holding water companies to account on the sewage scandal affecting our community. Tony has driven our economic growth strategy, creating 500 new jobs in the district. We look forward to welcoming him back to the Cabinet once he’s fully recovered.”
The newly structured Cabinet is designed to bring fresh perspectives and renewed focus to essential council priorities, including ensuring that there is an infrastructure first approach to new development, more genuinely affordable homes are delivered, new jobs are created in the district and that residents are supported through the on-going cost of living crisis.
The Cabinet roles are now as follows:
- Leader: Joe Harris
- Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation: Mike Evemy
- Climate Change and Sustainability: Mike McKeown
- Housing and Planning: Juliet Layton
- Economy and Environment: Tristan Wilkinson
- Communities: Claire Bloomer
- Health, Culture, and Visitor Experience: Paul Hodgkinson
Cllr Harris welcomed new Cabinet Member Cllr Tristan Wilkinson, who brings considerable experience in helping organisations improve. “This team combines a wealth of experience with fresh energy,” said Cllr Harris. “This streamlined cabinet means we’re laser focused on our key priorities and ensures that every decision reflects our mission to make the Cotswolds and even better place to live, work and visit.”
Contact Information
Cotswold District Council Communications Team
Notes to editors
Cabinet members are responsible for:
- leading on developing council policy and make recommendations to the Cabinet
- providing guidance to the Cabinet on running activities
- giving guidance to the Cabinet on budget priorities
- monitoring performance and make sure policy is delivered
- leading on improving council services
- making sure that activities meet the council's overall vision, core values and guiding principles
- contributing to debate and decision-making
- working with councillors who are not members of the cabinet, members of the opposition and officers to make sure that the overview and scrutiny process works correctly
- appearing before and responding to overview and scrutiny committee reports
- representing the council at a national and local level
Each cabinet member is the spokesperson for the policy area or 'portfolio' they are responsible for.