Surrey County Conservatives look to the future (5th May)

Responding to comment and query, Andrew Povey, Leader of Surrey County Conservatives, has brought forward the announcement of the portfolios that his newly revamped Cabinet would hold if the Conservatives are entrusted with running Surrey County Council after June 4th.

“Having previously announced who I intended to put on my Cabinet many people have asked who would be doing what and I intend the portfolios would be as follows;

o Andrew Povey: Leader + Economy

o David Hodge: Deputy Leader + Performance

o Mary Angell: Children

o Michael Gosling: Adults Social Care

o Lynne Hack: Environment

o Tim Hall: Corporate Services

o Kay Hammond: Community Safety

o Ian Lake: Transport

o Peter Martin: Schools

o Denise Saliagopoulos: Community Services

I believe, as I’ve said before, that this team will combine experience with new ideas and will build on the good work of Nick Skellett.

It would also see a change of structure and emphasis. At a time of economic uncertainty I believe that the Leader of Surrey County Council should make the economy of Surrey one of their key priorities and that is what I would intend to do. Surrey is the engine room of the British economy and whilst the government don’t seem to recognise this Surrey Conservatives certainly do.

I also believe that the performance of Surrey County Council should be a priority, and that is why I would intend for the Deputy Leader to be responsible for this. With the Leader focussing on the economy this makes perfect sense and by working together both the Leader & Deputy should be able to provide focus and leadership.

Thirdly, our residents always tell us that crime and anti-social behaviour are a particular concern, and I believe that by assigning someone with experience on the Police Authority to the new Community Safety portfolio demonstrates a commitment to see a distinct focus on working making Surrey an even safer place to live and work.

Finally, this Cabinet, as I would intend to call it, would have members drawn from all parts of Surrey, and have a good mix of skills, personality and ability”.