RCT council leader re-elected
RHONDDA Cynon Taf council leader Andrew Morgan has been reelected for a third term.
Coun Morgan was reelected on Wednesday at the local authority’s AGM, and announced that councillor Mark Norris will join the cabinet, with responsibility for corporate services.
Meanwhile, new deputy leader Maureen Webber, who replaced Kerion Montague in April, will take a new responsibility for engagement in her portfolio.
In other changes, councillor Joy Rosser has become the Cabinet Member for prosperity, wellbeing and communities with responsibilities including housing.
Coun Morgan said: “Following my ap- pointment as leader of the council, I have announced some changes to my cabinet team.
“I have asked Coun Mark Norris to join the cabinet with responsibility for corporate services.
“This is an important role and I am certain Mark will make a great addition to the cabinet and will bring with him the same level of dedication he shows on a daily basis as local councillor for Cwm Clydach.
“Mark is the former chairman of the council’s Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee – a position that will stand him in good stead in respect of his corporate services responsibilities.
“Having formally appointed Coun Maureen Webber as deputy leader in April, at the AGM I reappointed her as deputy leader of the council whilst also taking the opportunity to realign the responsibilities of my nine cabinet members.”
Coun Morgan reduced the number of members in the cabinet from 10 to nine when he became leader in 2014.
After Coun Montague’s decision to stand down and Coun Norris being added, the number of members remains at nine for 2016-17.
Coun Morgan added that “strong leadership” is required in times where the council’s budget continues to be cut
He added: “I am confident that this cabinet will continue to show the strong leadership required through the right balance of experience and new ideas.
“We will continue to focus on protecting frontline service delivery from the reductions in funding we expect to receive in forthcoming years but also look to make significant capital investments in our facilities and infrastructure across RCT wwwhilst also maximising the benefit for RCT of the City Deal and Metro Project.”
Coun Norris added: “It is a huge honour to have been asked by the leader of the council to serve in his cabinet.
“This is a forwardthinking cabinet which, despite the challenges we continue to face, is seeking to protect and improve services and invest in our county borough.
“I am looking forward to playing an active role as a Member of the Executive and will be focusing on ensuring services under my portfolio such as Procurement and ICT support the efficient and effective delivery of council services.
“I am also pleased to be offered responsibility for areas such as the council’s Youth Engagement and Participation Service and the development of the County Youth Forum will be a particular priority of mine as I see it as an important mechanism for engaging with our young people.”