All Change on Lib Dem Borough Council Group

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 15th May 2005

Liberal Democrat Borough Councillors have elected Tony Woods as the new Leader of the Borough's Opposition Group following their Annual General Meeting on Friday. Tony takes over from Richard Church who, following the County Council elections on May 5th, became the leader of the party's Group on the County Council.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead of getting the Borough Council performing for the people of the town" said Cllr Woods. "The last two years have seen the Lib Dem opposition on the Borough Council pushing the minority Conservative administration into making the changes necessary to improve service to the public. The next two years - in the run up to the 2007 elections - will be crucial for the future of our town.

"Liberal Democrats have been at the forefront of changing the council for the better - the current Conservative administration is actually running to a budget proposed by the Lib Dems. Lib Dem Councillors were first to propose Neighbourhood Wardens and secured funding for them as well as funding to tackle education and enforcement action for anti-social behaviour."

Under Richard Church's Leadership Lib Dem representation has grown substantially from just 4 Councillors in the 1980's to 17 elected in 2003.

"Richard will be a tough act to follow but he has developed a strong and dedicated group which will campaign for the best for our town. We are in a strong position to challenge for control of the Council in the elections in 2007 and I intend to build a team capable of doing so." said Tony.

Delapre Ward Councillor and floods campaigner, Brendan Glynane, was also elected as the Groups Deputy Leader and takes over from Sally Beardsworth who becomes the Mayor later this week.

Tony Woods fact file

Age: 52

Education: A Chartered Engineer with a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (Southampton University) and MBA (Open University).

Occupation: Self-Employed Electronics Engineer.

Borough Councillor: St David Ward - elected in 2003

Vice Chair: Northampton Liberal Democrats

Hobbies: Keen Cyclist and Arsenal supporter

Brendan Glynane fact file

Age: 47

Education: Mereway Upper School

Occupation: Self-Employed Tiler.

Borough Councillor: Delapre Ward - elected in 2003

County Councillor: Delapre Ward - elected in 2005

Hobbies: Karate & Underwater Hockey

Other positions elected:

Group Chair Cllr Brian Markham

Treasurer Cllr Richard Matthews

Group Whip Cllr Trini Crake

Press Officer Cllr Andrew Simpson