Vale Group Endorses Winning Leader For Council (Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats)

Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats <info@oxwablibdems.org.uk>

Vale Group Endorses Winning Leader For Council

May 15, 2007 4:31 PM

Vale Liberal Democrats have chosen Cllr Jerry Patterson to lead the Group on the Vale for the next year. Jerry will be put forward as the Liberal Democrat nominee for leader of the Council at the meeting on 16th May. The Lib Dem Group holds annual elections which are open to all Group members.

Jerry's re-election reflected the impressive victory in the District Council elections on May 3rd which saw the Lib Dems increase their majority on the Council from 9 to 17 seats - a total of 34 seats to the Tories' 17. The Group also celebrated the election of a large number of female candidates, resulting in the Group now consisting of 17 men and 17 women.

Cllr Tony de Vere was re-elected as Deputy Leader and he will join Jerry on the Council's Executive, which will again have three women and four men. The new Executive members are:

• Cllr Angela Lawrence, a former councillor on the Vale who stepped down in 2003 but who was re-elected on May 3rd. Angela was responsible for housing matters and policy development during her previous time on the council, leading the campaign the get the Abingdon foyer built and opened. Housing remains a priority for the Cllr Lawrence and the Vale, which has delivered over 1500 new affordable homes since 1995.

• Cllr Jenny Hannaby, a long serving town councillor in Wantage. Jenny was elected to the Vale in 2003 and has served on several committees including the important Scrutiny committee, which oversees the work of the Executive. Jenny is a successful businesswoman in Wantage and will bring her significant skills in this area on to the Vale's Executive.

Cllr Julie Mayhew-Archer was re-elected unopposed as Chair of the Council, with fellow Abingdon Councillor Alison Rooke elected as her deputy. Alison Rooke was also re-elected as Chair of the Group and recent by-election winner Cllr Richard Webber was named as her deputy.

The Vale's important Development Control (planning) committee will again be chaired by Cllr Terry Quinlan, supported by Cllr John Woodford as Vice Chair.

Jerry Patterson said: "Being a Liberal Democrat means demonstrating that you can deliver for your electorate. I am delighted to have been successful in getting the support first of voters of Kennington & South Hinksey and now from my fellow Liberal Democrat Councillors on the Vale. I am looking forward to the first year of the new Council, when we can focus once again on our continuing work to keep the Vale as a special place to live.

"The election of a number of new members to senior positions reflects the high calibre of our new councillors and the confidence of their colleagues in their abilities. And I am privileged and proud to be given the opportunity to serve for a fourth year as Leader."