New Administration Agreed at North Somerset

May 2019's North Somerset Council elections left no party in overall control. An agreement has been reached by the Independents, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green groups to form a new administration to run North Somerset Council. Donald Davies as Group Leader of the Independents who will lead the council stated that “The challenges facing North Somerset and the council require clear leadership and a stable political environment. We aim to provide the best possible services, promote fairness and reduce inequalities creating a better North Somerset for all, provide opportunities for economic growth and deliver balanced budgets and a financially secure local authority”.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Mike Bell will act as deputy leader, with Labour Group Leader Catherine Gibbons and Green Group Leader Bridget Petty both filling Executive roles.

[Pictured. 2019 Local Election Results]

Council leader Donald Davies was keen to point out that the new council was committed to a reforming agenda and confirmed that the council will review its democratic structure to ensure we have a council that is more accessible, open, transparent and sustainable, just as the voters on 2nd May demanded.

The Liberal Democrats gained Eight (8) new Councillors in a local election night that toppled the ruling Conservative group in North Somerset. Liberal Democrat Councillors in the area are:

Cllrs Patrick Keating (Blagdon and Churchill), Caroline Cherry (Clevedon Walton), Geoffrey Richardson (Clevedon West), Stuart Treadaway (Congresbury and Puxton), Ashley Cartman (Long Ashton), Huw James (Portishead South), Mike Bell and Robert Payne (Weston-super-Mare Central), Mark Canniford and John Crockford-Hawley (Weston-super-Mare Hillside), Wendy Griggs (Yatton).

Council Leader

Cllr Don Davies (Independent)

Local Enterprise Partnership and North Somerset Partnership, Joint executive committee (West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council), Forward programme and strategic review, Business management, Human resources, External liaison, Housing, Strategic communications (with Deputy Leader), Emergency management

Deputy council leader and executive member for adult social care and health

Cllr Mike Bell (Lib Dem

Adult social care, Health and wellbeing board, Public health and regulatory services, NHS and health liaison

Executive member for finance and performance

Cllr Ashley Cartman (Lib Dem)

Budgets, Capital programme, Performance monitoring, Democratic services, Transformation programme, Income generation (with the executive member for business, economy and employment)

Executive member for planning and transport

Cllr James Tonkin (Independent)

Planning, Building control, Highways, Transport

Executive member for environment and climate emergency

Cllr Bridget Petty (Green)

Climate emergency, Waste and recycling, Environmental protection, and Marine environment

Executive member for business, economy and employment

Cllr Mark Canniford (Lib Dem)

Economic development, Parking strategy, Asset management, Weston urban expansion and regeneration

Executive member for leisure, culture and tourism

Cllr Caritas Charles (Portishead Independents)

Executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, Community engagement and consultation, Tourism services, Leisure, Libraries, Arts strategy, Parks and green spaces

Executive member for children’s services and lifelong learning

Cllr Catherine Gibbons (Labour)

Children and young people’s services, Education, Further and higher education liaison

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