Shadow Team announced for Borough Council

9.00.00am GMT Mon 19th Dec 2005

The main opposition Liberal Democrat Group on Northampton Borough Council have elected a 'Shadow Cabinet' to hold the Conservative led authority to account. The new Lib Dem team will work alongside the current Conservative cabinet members.

"This is a further step in the recovery of Northampton Borough Council" said Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Tony Woods "As part of the development of the council we need to ensure that there is a vigorous and informed way of holding the current Cabinet to account. A 'shadow cabinet' means we can do that by building up specialist knowledge within the opposition team"

The Borough Council has been undergoing massive change over the last year with a new management structure including a revised Council Cabinet and portfolio responsibilities. The Cabinet has been reduced to 6 posts with responsibilities re-allocated.

Cllr John Yates who has been elected as Shadow Cabinet member for Economics and Infrastructure said." Now is the right time to do this - it enables a greater check to be kept on the current Conservative Cabinet and for my area in particular with some major developments planned it gives a clear focus on responsibilities".

Cabinet Portfolio Lib Dem Councillor

Leader and Community Engagement Cllr Tony Woods

Finance Strategy and Democratic Services Cllr David Perkins

Business intelligence, People Support and e-Government Cllr Brian Hoare

Residential Operations Cllr Trini Crake

Economics and Infrastructure Cllr John Yates

Local Environment Cllr Brian Markham