Minutes:
The Leader welcomed the visitors who had attended this important civic occasion.
The Leader thanked Councillor A England on his year as First Citizen and Mayor and wished Councillor I Preece well in his forthcoming role.
The Leader expressed that he had made the appointments of his Cabinet, Chairs and members of committees and he welcomed the new year with focus and energy in order to protect, care and invest in the Borough.
The Leader congratulated Councillor T Nelson on his appointment as the Leader of the Opposition and looked forward to weeks, months and years of working together. He also thanked Councillor A Eade as the outgoing Opposition Leader.
The Leader welcomed Councillor P Thomas as an Independent Member following his recent move from his former party membership and looked forward to working with him in his new role.
The Leader felt it was time for change now that a general election had been called on 4 July 2024. He hoped that each and every member of the Council would perform their civic and democratic duty and that they would continue to work with residents over the remaining three years of the administration’s term.
The Leader reflected on his achievements and was proud of the skill and dedication of Councillors, residents, officers, businesses and other sectors over the last eight years and he recognised that time did move on. He stated there was a passionate younger generation snapping at Member’s heels with Councillor O Vickers now being the youngest ever Cabinet Member.
The Leader highlighted the Council’s achievements over the last two months and expressed that whatever came next for the Council he would always be a fan of Telford and Wrekin Council, our place, the best place to live, work, be educated and visit.
Councillor T J Nelson, Leader of the Conservative Group, thanked the Leader for his kind words and congratulated those who had been appointed to their new roles. He stated that democracy depended on power being effectively and constructively challenged in order to produce the best policy and decisions and that he would approach his new position with humility and dignity and looked forward to working for the good of the Borough.
Councillor W L Tomlinson, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, looked forward to working with Councillors P Thomas and T Nelson and thanked the staff without whom the Council wouldn’t achieve anything. He stated the Council was trying to do the best it could but with the lack of funding more needed to be done to prevent Councils getting into financial difficulties. Whoever came into government would not be able to wave a magic wand but hopefully it would improve the broken system and put the country in a better place.
The Leader welcomed the fresh approach and constructive criticism that would come over the course of the next municipal year. The Council was here to look after young people in its care and support the most vulnerable adults whatever their age or disability. It would ensure the streets were clean, safe and green and that businesses would come to Telford and stay, grow and prosper. He expressed that whatever happened nationally, the reality was that the country needed to be in a better place, be able to see a GP, families have access to a dentist and that he would never stop fighting for the A&E and Women and Childrens’ Unit. It had been the greatest privilege to serve the Borough and in order to win trust party politics needed to be put aside.