THE NEW Malvern Hills District Council leadership team has pledged to improve the lives of residents by working positively with all councillors, regardless of party allegiance, writes Henri Bujard.
Coun Sarah Rouse from the Democratic Group (independents and Green Party members) became the first women to lead the authority for over a decade when she was elected at the latest council meeting last Tuesday.
It followed a partnership agreement between her group and the Liberal Democrats.
Conservative members have been offered the positions of Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Chair of one of the council’s planning committees as part of a cross-party working promise.
Coun Rouse said: “We’re just normal people with a passion for where we live and the people of Malvern Hills District have given us an opportunity to make a difference and that’s what we intend to do.
“On the doorstep people were clear they wanted us to work together.
“We don’t want to waste time on political point scoring.
“We want to ensure every councillor has a voice and work cross-party to make a positive difference for our residents.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Councillor Tom Wells has been elected as deputy leader, meanwhile portfolio holders, who are responsible for different policy areas, will be divided between the two groups.
Coun Wells said: “The Liberal Democrat councillors are happy to work with others who share our simple, common sense approach to getting things done.
“We are ambitious to make Malvern Hills an even better place to live, work or visit and keen to give residents a much bigger say in our decision-making.”