The Conservative opposition group on Greenwich Council has unveiled new roles for its expanded team of Councillors, after gaining seats at last week’s local election.
Councillor Matt Hartley has been re-elected as Leader of the six-strong Conservative Group for a 10th year, with Councillor Charlie Davis re-elected as Deputy Leader. Councillor Roger Tester has been elected as Whip for the council’s new larger Conservative Group of councillors.
The Group has also announced the spokespeople who will lead the Conservative Opposition’s work on a range of local policy issues at the Town Hall.
Councillor Pat Greenwell will lead on Health and Social Care, with Councillor Tester becoming the Group’s spokesperson for the Children and Young People portfolio. Councillor Hartley, in addition to leading the Group, will act as the Conservative Opposition spokesperson on Finance and Transformation, with Councillor Davis continuing to lead on Transport and Regeneration.
Newly-elected Councillors Rob Sayers and Luke Warren also take on new roles. Councillor Sayers will lead on Housing and Community Safety, with Councillor Warren appointed Conservative Opposition Spokesperson for Business and Culture.
Councillor Matt Hartley, Leader of Greenwich Conservatives, said: “I am delighted to be returning to the Town Hall with an expanded group of Conservative Councillors to speak up for local people and hold the Labour Council leadership to account. This strong team, boosted by our excellent new colleagues, will work hard to get results for residents in the coming years.
“Labour lost 17 seats to 3 different parties this month after running the most disastrous local election campaign anyone in the borough can remember. After these results, the Greenwich Labour leadership badly needs to change course and start to listen to local people. And residents deserve a public response to the election results that goes beyond the shrug of the shoulders we have seen so far.
“The Council’s Annual Meeting on the 27th May is the first opportunity that the Leader of the Council councillor Okereke will have to show he understands what the borough has told him in these elections – I would urge him to take it and lay out how he is going to change his approach in the years ahead.”
The Conservative Group’s nominations for places on Council committees have also been confirmed (and will be formally ratified at the Council’s Annual Meeting later this month). Full details of each Councillor’s new responsibilities are below:
- Councillor Matt Hartley: Leader of the Conservative Group; Conservative Opposition Spokesperson for Finance & Transformation. Committees: Overview & Scrutiny; Audit & Risk Management Panel; General Purposes; Staff Consultative Committee.
- Councillor Charlie Davis: Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group; Conservative Opposition Spokesperson for Transport & Regeneration. Committees: Standards; Transport and Place Scrutiny Panel
- Councillor Roger Tester: Conservative Group Whip; Conservative Opposition Spokesperson on Children and Young People. Committees: Planning Board; Licensing Committee; Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel
- Councillor Pat Greenwell: Conservative Opposition Spokesperson on Health and Social Care. Committees: Local Planning Committee; Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel.
- Councillor Rob Sayers: Conservative Opposition Spokesperson on Housing and Community Safety. Committees: Licensing Committee; Housing and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel.
- Councillor Luke Warren: Conservative Opposition Spokesperson on Business and Culture. Committees: Inclusive Economy & Culture Scrutiny Panel; Organisation & Communities Scrutiny Panel.
Residents can follow the work of Greenwich Conservative councillors at www.greenwichconservatives.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreenwichTories
