Dudley leader announces new cabinet roles
The leader of Dudley Council has announced his new cabinet members – which he said aims to reflect the key priorities for residents in the borough.
Councillor Qadar Zada said he wanted their 'most senior politicians' leading the new posts and being 'model citizens' in Dudley.
He had announced last month there would be new posts in order to reflect those key priorities. Councillor Zada was appointed leader of Dudley Council in November – after Councillor Pete Lowe stepped down citing 'other political priorities'.
In the newly announced cabinet roles, Councillor Judy Foster will remain as deputy leader of the council which will include human resources, legal and communications, while Councillor Lowe will take up the finance, council sustainability and transformation portfolio.
Councillor John Martin will be responsible for highways and environment, Councillor Khurshid Ahmed for regeneration, planning and economic investment, Councillor Gaye Partridge for communities, and Councillor Cathy Bayton for health and adult social care.
The cabinet member for housing and residents welfare will be Councillor Keiran Casey, children and young people will be Councillor Sue Ridney and partnerships, commercial and best practice will be Councillor Bec Gentle.
Councillor Zada said: "I want our most senior politicians in the borough to be model citizens, leading the priorities of our local residents.
"At the heart of these changes are the people we serve. We have put our money where our mouth is.
"We will bring a greater focus on community safety, our environment, supporting our most vulnerable residents and prioritising the welfare of every resident in the borough.
"We have senior politicians leading the community agenda and for the first time, the welfare of the residents of this borough will form the specific responsibility of our cabinet.
"We will also be looking at the future which will be about generating more jobs for people of this borough, affordable housing, providing more opportunities for young people, and attracting business and investment.
"Since taking control of the local authority we have been working with senior officers to develop these plans and we intend to launch them very soon.
"I am so excited about what we can deliver together in Dudley.”
