COPELAND Council officially appointed its new Executive Committee at its Annual General Meeting yesterday.
The five person committee, led by Mayor Mike Starkie, is the decision-making body for the council.
Its members are:
- Mayor Starkie (independent)
- Deputy Mayor David Moore (Conservative, Gosforth and Seascale, and Leader of the Conservative group)
- Coun Mike McVeigh (Labour, Egremont, and Leader of the Labour group)
- Gwynneth Everett (Labour, Arlecdon and Ennerdale)
- Steve Morgan (independent, Arlecdon and Ennerdale)
The Executive councillors have all agreed to form a politically co-operative group.
Mayor Starkie said: “I am pleased that Labour, Conservatives and the independents have formed a co-operation agreement to work with me to deliver the best possible service for the residents of Copeland.”
“Councillors Moore, McVeigh, Everett and Morgan bring with them a range of expertise and huge amounts of experience. I look forward to working with them all make this borough thrive.”
Coun Moore holds the Nuclear and Corporate Services portfolio, Coun McVeigh holds the Environmrnt and Place portfolio, Coun Everett holds the Inclusive Communities portfolio, and Coun Morgan is responsible for the Commercial Services portfolio.
Also at the AGM, Mr Starkie presented Copeland Council’s Summary of Achievements for 2018-19. It includes details of the work the council has achieved over the past 12 months under its corporate priorities, including the success of the Pride of Place regeneration scheme and the Whitehaven Townscape Heritage Initiative; a two-fold increase in kerbside recycling rates; and a number of projects that are succeeding in helping vulnerable people in the borough.
Mr Starkie said: “I am proud to present our Summary of Achievements. It illustrates the breadth of work that’s carried out every day by a dedicated workforce. A lot of it goes unseen, but our work makes a fundamental difference to people’s lives right across the borough.
“I’d like to thank our staff, councillors, partners and businesses, who all continue to work with us to make Copeland a great place to work, live and visit.”
The council also appointed its new Chair and her deputy at its Annual General Meeting yesterday.
Coun Joan Hully took over the Chairmanship, and Coun Charles Maudling will serve as Deputy Chair.
Coun Hully is a Labour councillor for Cleator Moor. Her chairmanship follows that of Coun Peter Connolly. Charles Maudling is an independent councillor for Whitehaven Central.
Coun Hully, who has been a member of Copeland Borough Council for 24 years, said: “It is a privilege to be given this honour. With the recent boundary changes and reduction in councillor numbers, it will be hard work for us all as there will be more to do. But I’m looking forward to the challenge – the only way is forward.”
The two were appointed during the council’s annual general meeting yesterday (Tuesday May 21), when Coun Hully was presented with the chain of office from Coun Connolly.
The Summary of Achievements is available at www.copeland.gov.uk, and hard copies can be found at Copeland Council’s offices at Market Hall, Whitehaven, and St George’s Road, Millom.
