No change for Lib Dems in key posts

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 27th May 2003

Local Lib Dem Leader Chris Maines

In contrast to the local Tories the Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Chris Maines, has announced an unchanged Shadow Portfolio team after the recent AGM.

Announcing his team, Cllr Maines promised that the Liberal Democrats would be watching to see what direction the Council would be going after the appointment of the new Tory Leader, especially with the new Leisure Trust being set up. "Liberal Democrats have had some successes this year in the Council Chamber," he said. "My colleagues in Education and Leisure in particular have made sure that unpopular Tory policies have been brought to the public attention, in some cases forcing big u-turns from them. Other colleagues have undoubtedly contributed to the downfall of some Portfolio Holders with their tough questioning in Council."

The Liberal Democrat spokespeople are as follows:

Leader: Cllr Chris Maines

Deputy Leader: Cllr David McBride

Children and Young People: Cllr Denise Payton

Community Safety: Cllr Brenda Thompson

Environment: Cllr Bob Shekyls

Leisure and Culture: Cllr David McBride

Local Economy: Cllr Grace Goodlad

Social Care, Health and Housing: Cllr Geoff Gostt

(Cllr Chris Maines will speak on Health)

In addition, Cllr Chris Gaster is the Liberal Democrat member on the Executive and Cllr Geoff Gostt will lead on Development Control.