Council leader in cabinet reshuffle

Council leader Jean Stretton

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OLDHAM council leader Jean Stretton has taken on a portfolio of additional
responsibilities as part of her first cabinet reshuffle.

Councillor Sretton and Abdul Jabbar will continue to head the administration as leader and deputy leader respectively.

But with former cabinet member for “performance and corporate governance” Arooj Shah losing her seat in last week’s elections, Councillor Stretton has now taken on some additional responsibilities.

She will add communications, as well as business intelligence, legal and democratic services, member development and support to her portfolio.

Councillor Stretton said last week’s generally positive result for Labour in Oldham was “tempered with deep disappointment” that Arooj Shah was not re-elected in the St Mary’s seat that “she has served with distinction for four years”.

She told the Evening Chronicle: “I firmly believe, however, that what doesn’t kill you simply makes you stronger, and she will certainly be back in local politics soon.”

If the cabinet re-shuffle is approved at the annual council meeting, on May 18, Councillor Stretton would retain the “economy and enterprise” portfolio which includes responsibility for the City Region and devolution agenda, regeneration, enterprise and business support, capital projects and investments, corporate property and assets, Oldham town centre and markets, tourism and external relations.

Another important change would see the council leader now taking the lead responsibility for the new inclusive growth agenda ­— which focusses on how to create opportunities for all segments of the population from Greater Manchester devolution and distribute the benefits of economic growth fairly across society.

Stalwart Dave Hibbert ­— the former member for housing, planning and transport ­— was deselected by the Labour Party before last week’s elections and, rather than being directly replaced, his responsibilities have also been shared out.

The only new addition to the cabinet is Werneth councillor Fida Hussain who takes on some of the duties of the former “housing, planning and transport” portfolio as part of his new “environmental services” role.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge remains in her role as cabinet member for “neighbourhoods and cooperatives” and will also take on a portion of the “housing, planning and transport” portfolio.

Councillor Amanda Chadderton would return as the new cabinet member for education and early years, which includes the Oldham Education and Skills Commission, looked after children and the GM Children’s Services Review and Councillor Shoab Akhtar would move to a new employment and skills brief.

Jean Stretton, Oldham council leader, said: “This new cabinet line-up is about harnessing our best talents and setting our focus on the challenges and opportunities that Oldham is facing in
the future.

“Another of our immediate priorities will be to continue to address the financial challenges we face with a projected
£37 million in further savings needed to be found as our budgets continue to fall over the next two financial years.

“Throughout all these decisions and challenges we will stay true to our long-standing ambitions and vision for the borough - to make it a great place to live, work and invest.”

There is also a role for the retiring mayor of Oldham, Ateeque Ur-Rehman, as deputy cabinet member for finance and HR.

How Labour now line up :

Economy and Enterprise:

Cabinet member: Jean Stretton, Council Leader

Deputy Cabinet member: Fazlul Haque

Education and Early Years:

Cabinet member: Amanda Chadderton

Deputy Cabinet member: Hannah Roberts

Employment and Skills

Cabinet member: Shoab Akhtar

Deputy Cabinet member: Sean Fielding

Social Care and Safeguarding

Cabinet member: Jenny Harrison

Deputy Cabinet member: Ginny Alexander

Health and Wellbeing:

Cabinet member: Eddie Moores

Deputy Cabinet member: Vita Price

Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives

Cabinet member: Barbara Brownridge

Deputy Cabinet member: Cath Ball

Environmental Services

Cabinet member: Fida Hussain

Deputy Cabinet member: Shaid Mushtaq

Finance and HR

Cabinet member: Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Council Leader

Deputy Cabinet member: Ateeque Ur Rehman