Some changes to The Cabinet for Stratford on Avon District Council

Press Release

Published on 15 May 2024

Cllr George Cowcher has been appointed the new Deputy Leader for Stratford-on-Avon District Council following the Annual Meeting on Wednesday 15 May. He steps up from the Cabinet role he has performed over the past year and will keep his Planning and Economic Development Portfolio and maintain his close interest in the development of the South Warwickshire Local Plan.

• Leader - Strategic Leadership and Climate Change Portfolio - Cllr Susan Juned
• Deputy Leader and Planning and Economic Development Portfolio - Cllr George Cowcher
• Law and Governance Portfolio - Cllr Natalie Gist
• Environment and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio - Cllr Lorraine Grocott
• Resources Portfolio - Cllr David Curtis
• Housing and Customer Services - Cllr Liz Coles
• Projects, Asset Management and Communications - Cllr Mike Rice

Cllr Susan Juned, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "It's been a year since we won the election and installed as the new administration for the District Council and we have achieved a great deal in that time.

"The Council adopted a new Council Plan; passed a prudent, but ambitious budget for initiating changes; funded 37 community projects; created a £100,000 Community Climate Change fund for parish councils, community and charity groups to undertake green initiatives and approved a new South Warwickshire Economic Development Strategy.

"Decisions have been taken on many projects including safeguarding the Stratford Shopmobility service, maintaining UBUS assistance across the District, supporting medical and community facilities in Upper Lighthorne, investing in more Rural Crime Advisers and a more environmentally friendly grounds maintenance contract, plus adopting new planning guidance for open spaces to address concerns about the private management companies.

"Going forward we have changed the way we allocate public funds. We have moved from a bid-centred to an evidence-led process to better target money at providing infrastructure.

"There are some changes to The Cabinet, with Cllr George Cowcher moving to Deputy Leader and the introduction of Cllr Mike Rice and I look forward to continuing to make our plans a reality and achieving more of our priorities for the benefit of our residents and businesses."

Cllr Nigel Rock, who has supported the Leader, Cllr Susan Juned, as Deputy Leader over the past 12 months, has decided to step down as Deputy Leader and from The Cabinet. He will, however, continue to chair the SWLP Advisory Group as well as the Regulatory Committee.

Cllr Juned continued: "I would like to thank Nigel for his hard work and unflagging enthusiasm as Deputy Leader and look forward to his invaluable advice and expertise in progressing the South Warwickshire Local Plan to a successful conclusion."

Chairman - Cllr Jenny Fradgley (Stratford Guildhall and Bridgetown)
Vice- Chairman - Cllr Kate Rolfe (Stratford Tiddington)

Portfolio details

Leader - Strategic Leadership - Cllr Susan Juned (Alcester East Ward)

• Climate Change
• Corporate Policy
• Human Resources
• Partnerships
• Performance, Consultation and Insight

Deputy Leader and Planning and Economic Development- Cllr George Cowcher (Wellesbourne South Ward)

• Building Control, including Street Naming
• CIL/S106
• Development Control and Enforcement
• Economic Development and Tourism
• Land Charges
• Physical Infrastructure (Transport, Energy, etc)
• Planning Policy
• South Warwickshire Local Plan
• Strategic Housing

Law and Governance - Cllr Natalie Gist (Bishops Itchington, Fenny Compton and Napton Ward)

• Community Safety and CCTV
• Corporate Governance
• Democratic Services
• Information Governance
• Joint Legal Service

Environmental and Neighbourhood Services - Cllr Lorraine Grocott (Avenue Ward)

• Construction and Premises
• Contracted Services (Refuse and Recycling, Street Cleansing, Grounds Maintenance)
• Emergency Planning and Business Continuity
• Environmental Health and Licensing
• Green Spaces - Development
• Markets and Events
• Parking Services
• Personal Assistant Team
• Sports and Leisure

Resources - Cllr David Curtis (Shottery Ward)

• Audit and Risk
• Budget and Finance
• ICT
• Internal Audit

Housing and Customer Services - Cllr Liz Coles (Hathaway Ward)

• Community Leadership, Forums, Voluntary Community Services
• Customer Services (including Visitor Information Centre)
• Health and Wellbeing
• Housing and Homelessness
• Print and Design Team
• Revenues and Benefits
• Safeguarding

Projects, Asset Management and Communications - Cllr Mike Rice (Henley-in-Arden Ward)

• Asset Management
• Corporate Communications and Public Relations
• Project and Transformation Team
• Property and Estates