Councillors Elect New Leader and Deputy Leader
Councillors have elected a new Leader and Deputy Leader of the London Borough
of Bexley following former Cllr Ian Clement's resignation to take up the post
of Deputy Mayor of London.
Cllr Teresa O'Neill was elected as the new Council Leader at last night's
Annual Council meeting - and becomes the only current female Leader of a Conservative-controlled
London Borough.
Cllr Simon Windle was elected as the Council's new Deputy Leader.
"I am honoured to be chosen by my colleagues as the new Leader of the
Council and will do everything I can to serve the best interests of all the people
of Bexley," commented Cllr O'Neill.
"The Cabinet I have appointed is experienced and capable. I am delighted
that someone as knowledgeable and well-respected as Cllr
Mrs June Slaughter will
be joining the team. We have achieved a great deal over the past two years, but
even greater challenges lie ahead.
"I look forward to working with Members from both parties on the Council,
with our partners, with the new Mayor of London and the Leaders of the other
London boroughs to secure a fairer share of resources and public investment for
Bexley.
"We have a record for getting things done and I want to ensure that Bexley
plays a full part in the renewal of the capital and the success of the Thames
Gateway."
Cllr O'Neill describes herself as "a south London girl". She stood
for election to Lewisham Council in 1986 and 1990 and as a Parliamentary Candidate
for Lewisham Deptford in 1992.
Cllr Teresa O'Neill moved to Bexley in 1997 and was first elected to the Council
in 1998. She lives in Bexleyheath and represents Brampton Ward. Cllr O'Neill
became Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children's Services
in May 2006. Her parents also live in the borough.
Cllr Windle teaches maths to 11-18 year olds at a school in Gravesend. He
represents Barnehurst Ward and has served as Cabinet member for Schools, Adult
Education and Youth Services since 2006.
The full line-up of the new Cabinet appointed by Cllr O'Neill is -
Councillor Teresa
O'Neill
Leader of the Council
Councillor Simon Windle
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education
and Youth Services
Councillor Gareth Bacon
Cabinet Member for the Environment
Councillor Colin
Campbell
Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services
Councillor Peter
Catterall
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Tourism
Councillor Peter Craske
Cabinet Member for Transport
Councillor Sharon
Massey
Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care
Councillor Katie Perrior
Cabinet Member for Community Affairs
Cllr June Slaughter
Cabinet Member for Children's Services
Councillor John Waters
Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing
