‘Proud & ready to deliver’: Lib Dems name new top team at Hull City Council
READY TO LEAD: New Hull City Council leader, Councillor Mike Ross, who will take charge on May 19
By Simon Bristow
Hull’s Liberal Democrats have announced their administration in waiting after taking control of the Guildhall from Labour in their dramatic Local Elections victory last week.
It was the first time Labour has lost control of Hull City Council in 11 years.
Lib Dem group leader, Councillor Mike Ross, who will become Hull City Council leader at the next full meeting of the authority on Thursday, May 19, was elected unopposed as leader at the party’s Annual General Meeting on Monday night.
Jackie Dad was also elected unopposed as deputy leader.
Eight other group members will form the Lib Dem Cabinet, which Coun Ross said will “get to grips with all the issues the city faces”.
The new team, with a summary of their roles provided by the party, is as follows:
Leader - Coun Mike Ross
“Mike is one of the longest serving councillors on Hull City Council, having been first elected in 2002. Mike has been the Lib Dem group leader since 2015. He has led the Lib Dem Group to successive victories since his election and will now lead the majority Lib Dem Group in administration.”
MOMENT OF VICTORY: Coun Mike Ross, front left, with his winning Liberal Democrat group at the Guildhall
Deputy Leader - Coun Jackie Dad
“Elected as Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Group last year, Jackie is an extremely experienced councillor, representing Holderness ward since 2014. Jackie was previously an officer at the council. Jackie will be responsible for overseeing many of the council’s internal services, most notably finance.”
Communities and Culture - Coun Rob Pritchard
“Rob has served as the shadow portfolio holder in this role for the last three years. Rob is passionate about Hull’s cultural sector and keen to see it thrive.”
Children’s Services - Coun Linda Tock
“Taking on the role of Children’s Services is Linda Tock. Linda is a carer and has worked for various charities supporting the most vulnerable people in the city. In taking on the role, she has a wealth of experience to continue the improvements made already by the service. Linda recently stepped back from her role as a support worker to children with additional needs in order to focus on her work as a councillor.”
Adult Services - Coun Linda Chambers
“Linda has been the lead member of the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee for the Liberal Democrat Group and will now take on the role of adult services lead. Linda worked as a nurse in neurology for nearly 40 years before retiring.”
Regeneration - Coun Paul Drake-Davis
“Paul is a Director at a Hull-based marketing and advertising firm and is well connected will local businesses and community leaders across the city. Paul served as the Lib Dems’ lead on the Regeneration Scrutiny Commission, where he consistently put forward sensible changes to the way the city runs itself and works with businesses.”
Environment - Coun Jan Loft
“Jan is relatively new to the council, having been first elected last year in the North Carr ward. Jan will take on the Environment portfolio. Her responsibility will include making the city greener and cleaner, taking a lead on climate change initiatives, parks and green spaces and the city’s street cleaning programme.”
Communications and Engagement - Coun Dave McCobb
“One of the most senior members of the Cabinet alongside Mike Ross, Dave has been on Hull City Council for 20 years. Dave will be tasked with transforming the council into a ‘listening’ organisation, something the party made a priority in the campaign. His remit is a bold statement that the way the Council runs will take a much different tone under a Liberal Democrat administration.”
ALL CHANGE: Hull Guildhall. Picture by Tom Arran Commercial Photography
Housing, Homelessness and Welfare - Coun Julia Conner
“After her move to the Lib Dem team and her ward’s spectacular victory in Longhill and Bilton Grange, Julia Conner will be sitting on the Liberal Democrat Cabinet. Julia will be the lead for the Liberal Democrats on Housing issues, tackling Homelessness and Welfare, as well as seeking improvements in housing standards across the city. Julia is a long-term member of the Council who has settled well into the Lib Dem team.”
Transport, Roads, Highways and Flooding - Coun Mark Ieronimo
“Serving as a Councillor for Pickering Ward since 2018, Mark will be tackling what is one of the most contentious issues in the city - sorting out the issues faced on Hull’s road network. Despite the views of outgoing Council Leader, Coun Daren Hale, Mark has no plans to employ any ‘magic pixies’, but instead wants to hear from the people of Hull about the changes they want to see take place.”
Commenting on the new Cabinet, Coun Ross said: “The public voted for change in this year’s local elections. I am proud of the strong team I lead and I know they can be the change this city needs. We now have a top team that are ready to get to grips with all the issues the city faces, both now and in the years to come.
“The approach by this Cabinet will be different to any of the Labour Cabinets we have seen over the last decade. I expect them to be out in communities all year round listening to residents’ concerns and then coming back to the table with real solutions.
“This will be a team that listens, does things differently and meanwhile gets the basics right. The Labour Council failed to grasp that this is what people wanted from a Council. Now it’s our turn to deliver.”