Daren Hale set to be next leader of Hull City Council

NEW LEADER: Councillor Daren Hale. Picture by Neil Holmes Commercial Photography

Councillor Daren Hale is set to be the new leader of Hull City Council.

He was tonight elected as the new leader of the Labour group, and is set to become leader of the authority at the next full council meeting on Thursday, when he will succeed Councillor Stephen Brady OBE.

The new deputy leader of the ruling Labour group is Councillor Hester Bridges, and is similarly expected to become deputy leader of the council.

Labour retained power at the Guildhall after the local elections earlier this month, and has a three-seat majority.

Speaking to The Hull Story after the group’s annual general meeting at the Guildhall tonight, Coun Hale said: “I’m delighted to be leader of the Labour group. Obviously I have very big boots to fill in terms of the ultimate professional - Steve Brady; a hard act to follow.

“But I’m delighted group colleagues have put their faith in me and my colleague, Hester Bridges, as well. We are hopeful that on Thursday the council will confirm we’ll be leader of the council and deputy leader.

Coun Hale has also appointed his first cabinet.

He said: “We believe this is the first gender-balanced ruling Cabinet in the city, probably in living memory, and the first since the system was introduced.

“The new Labour executive far more mirrors the population of the city as well in terms of age distribution and diversity, from people in their 20s to people in their 70s.”

The new Labour frontbench is:

Daren Hale - Leader

Hester Bridges - Deputy Leader, remains chair of Health & Wellbeing Board, also responsible for Parks, Leisure, and Active Hull

John Black - Housing & Homelessness

Shane McMurray - Children’s Services

Aneesa Akbar - Communities, Libraries, Area Teams, Taxis and Licensing, Liaising with BAME communities, Gipsy and Travellers

Rosie Nicola - Environment, Climate Change, Open Spaces, Waste Management

Rosemary Pantelakis - Corporate Services, Museums, Cultural Assets

Phil Webster - Legal and Finance

Gwen Lunn - Adult Services and Public Protection

Dean Kirk - Highways, Roads, Rivers, Parking, Flooding

Coun Hale, who retained his St Andrew’s and Docklands seat at the elections, has been Coun Brady’s deputy throughout his ten-year reign as council leader. Coun Hale was first elected to the council in 1994.

Coun Brady, who has been group leader since 2007, will continue as a Southcoates ward councillor until his seat comes up for election next year.

The Lib Dems have also announced a new deputy leader in Holderness councillor Jackie Dad. Councillor Mike Ross continues as Lib Dem group leader.