This follows the establishment and signing of a joint administration agreement between the Independent Group, the Labour Group, the Liberal Democrat Group and the newly formed Southend Independence Group.
Appointments to the various committees will be formally agreed at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday 21st May, and the leader’s appointment to cabinet will also be noted.
Cllr Ron Woodley will continue in his role as Leader of the Council. The leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Ian Gilbert and leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Graham Longley will also remain as his deputies.
Cllr Woodley said: “I am very pleased that we will be able to continue as a joint administration and show strong leadership for the common purpose of serving the local people of Southend. I am delighted to remain as leader of the council and look forward to working together with all councillors and local people for the good of this great town.”
The new Cabinet is as follows:
- Cllr Ron Woodley (IND) - Leader of the Council
- Cllr Ian Gilbert (LAB) - Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Community and Organisational Development
- Cllr Graham Longley (LD) - Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development
- Cllr Martin Terry (IND) - Executive Councillor for Public Protection, Waste and Transport
- Cllr David Norman (LAB) - Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning and Regulatory Control
- Cllr Anne Jones (LAB) - Executive Councillor for Children and Learning
- Cllr James Moyies (SIG) - Executive Councillor for Health and Adult Social Care
This follows Full Council last week, where it was announced that there are now six political groups on the Council, as follows:
- Conservative (22 seats) – Group Leader, John Lamb
- Independent (11 seats) – Group spokesman, Martin Terry
- Labour (9 seats) – Group Leader, Ian Gilbert
- Liberal Democrat (4 seats) – Group Leader, Graham Longley
- Southend Independence (3 seats) – Group Leader, James Moyies
- UKIP (2 seats) – Group Leader, Floyd Waterworth