Herefordshire Council will have a Cabinet Member dedicated to improving the state of the roads in the county, it has been confirmed this week.
Cllr Barry Durkin will take on the role with many roads in the county in need of improvements.
This is the first time a Cabinet Member for roads has been appointed in four years and he will be responsible for providing a ‘greater oversight’ in this area’ and to deliver on the council’s commitment to improve the state of Herefordshire’s roads.
Leader of the Council, Jonathan Lester, today publicly announced which Councillors have been appointed to his Cabinet to provide clear and effective leadership at the top of Herefordshire Council.
The Leader and Cabinet will be focused on delivering for residents right across Herefordshire with balancing the budget, addressing the problem of potholes, the bypass and improvements in Children’s Services being amongst the top priorities for the months ahead.
Speaking after the announcement Cllr Lester said: “I am delighted to have been able to appoint a Cabinet of talented and experienced individuals who I know will rise to the challenges ahead and provide the decisive leadership Herefordshire so desperately needs.
“I am particularly glad to be welcoming Ivan Powell, of the True Independents, to the role of Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and I can think of no better person to be tasked with driving forward the much needed improvement programme over the months ahead.
“Ivan’s appointment shows that where necessary the Conservative group will put party politics aside in the interests of what is best for Herefordshire and its residents.”
In a departure from the last four years the new Cabinet also sees a shake up to the roles and responsibilities of some Cabinet positions including the following:
Also, the Environment and Economy portfolio has been split into two separate roles to reflect the strategic importance of both to the county and give each area the proper attention it deserves. The Economy portfolio will be coupled with Growth to drive economic development and regeneration right across Herefordshire. Whilst the Environment portfolio will include responsibility for Planning Services and cleaning up Herefordshire’s rivers.
