Cabinet revealed for Lib Dem-led Windsor and Maidenhead council

The new administration has revealed its cabinet – including new cabinet positions and some Independents in top spots.

Council leader Simon Werner (Lib Dems, Pinkneys Green) said he wants ‘an inclusive administration’ with councillors from both Lib Dems and other parties in senior positions.

As such, Lynne Jones of Old Windsor Residents' Association (OWRA) is the new deputy leader and the lead member for finance. 

“Lynne and I have been working in partnership for the last eight years at the council, consistently putting forward an alternative approach to finance to stave off bankruptcy,” Cllr Werner said.

Geoff Hill from the Borough First Independents (TBFI) will take on Highways and Transport, ‘a role which he has done before and so has the experience to drive forward.’

The full list of cabinet positions is as follows:

• Simon Werner (Lib Dem): Leader, community partnerships, public protection, and Maidenhead
• Lynne Jones (OWRA): Deputy leader, finance
• Amy Tisi (Lib Dem): Children’s services and education, and Windsor
• Catherine del Campo (Lib Dem): Adult services and health
• Joshua Reynolds (Lib Dem): Communities and leisure
• Adam Bermange (Lib Dem): Planning, legal and asset management
• Geoff Hill (TBFI): Highways and transport, Customer Service Centre (CSC) and employment
• Karen Davies (Lib Dem): Climate change and biodiversity, and Windsor Town Council
• Richard Coe (Lib Dem): Environmental services

The new cabinet position for Windsor Town Council reflects one of the new administration’s priorities to get this town council set up.

“There’s a real feeling that this is needed,” said Cllr Werner.

The new administration is also setting up a working group of councillors who are contracts experts in their professional life. 

Cllrs Gary Reeves and Mark Howard (both Lib Dem) ‘have years of experience of contract management.’

“This is an area that the council is consistently failing to tackle whether it involves potholes, litter, street lights or bins,” said Cllr Werner.

A further working group will be set up to challenge and advise the cabinet on climate change issues. Led by Karen Davies, it will also involve Wisdom da Costa (West Windsor Residents' Association) and Jodi Grove (TBFI).

It is also setting up a series of ‘champions’ to ‘match up expert councillors to particular aspects of the council’s work.’

• Social housing champion: Helen Taylor (TBFI)
• Consultation champion: Chris Moriarty (Lib Dem)
• Business champion: David Buckley (TBFI)
• Volunteering champion: Jack Douglas (Lib Dem)
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) champion: Helen Price (TBFI) – to explore how businesses can be more involved in and support their local community