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Appointments, Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions - Friday 30 May 2025 12.00 pm
May 30, 2025 View on council websiteSummary
In a brief meeting, Councillor Rob Howard, Leader of the Council, appointed councillors to the Cabinet, determined their portfolios, and delegated executive functions. Councillor George Finch was appointed as Deputy Leader. Appointments were also made to various bodies, including the Joint Negotiating Body, Adoption Panel, Fostering Panel, and the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO).
Cabinet Appointments and Portfolio Responsibilities
Councillor Rob Howard welcomed attendees and introduced the members appointed to the Cabinet, emphasising their dedication to achieving the best outcomes for Warwickshire. The key decisions involved the appointment of the Deputy Leader and the allocation of specific responsibilities to each cabinet member.
The following appointments were made:
- Councillor George Finch as Deputy Leader, with overall responsibility for the co-ordination of children's services, including child protection, safeguarding, and family support.
- Councillor Stephen Shaw for Finance and Property, responsible for finance strategy, budget delivery, procurement, property management, and infrastructure oversight.
- Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko for Adult Social Care and Health, covering social care services for adults, safeguarding, adult mental health, public health, and health integration.
- Councillor Wayne Briggs for Education, overseeing education and learning services, special educational needs, schools, post-16 education, and adult education.
- Councillor Mike Bannister for Customer and Localities, responsible for corporate planning, customer services, libraries, trading standards, HR, communications, and community-based place shaping.
- Councillor Darren Cheshire for Environment, Heritage and Culture, covering waste management, country parks, tourism, and heritage services.
- Councillor Dale Bridgewater for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety, with responsibilities for community safety, fire and rescue services, flood risk management, and emergency planning.
- The portfolio for Transport and Planning was to be confirmed.
Councillor Rob Howard retained the role of Leader with responsibility for the economy, external relations, strategic partnerships, and any emerging devolution deal or local government reorganisation.
Appointments to External and Internal Bodies
Several appointments were made to bodies within and outside the council:
- Councillors Rob Howard and Mike Bannister were appointed to the Joint Negotiating Body – Staff, which is a forum for discussions with trade unions regarding staff conditions of service.
- Councillors George Finch and Wayne Briggs were appointed to the Joint Negotiating Body – Teachers.
- Councillor George Finch was appointed to both the Adoption Panel and the Fostering Panel. These panels are statutorily required bodies that ensure the proper procedures are followed in adoption and fostering services.
- Councillors Stephen Shaw and Neil Garland were appointed to the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Management Committee, which aims to improve the supply of goods and services to constituent authorities.
- Councillor Neil Garland was also appointed to the ESPO Finance and Audit Committee, responsible for overseeing ESPO's financial planning.
Delegation of Executive Functions
The meeting also addressed the delegation of executive functions, confirming the existing delegations as set out in the Council's Constitution. This ensures that decisions can be made efficiently and effectively at the appropriate levels within the council. The Public reports pack Friday 30-May-2025 12.00 Portfolio Holder DecisionsLeader Decisions contains more information on this topic.
Attendees

Topics
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Meeting Documents
Reports Pack