Council Leader announces Cabinet shake-up
The Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr John Thomas, has announced two changes to his Cabinet.
The Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr John Thomas, has announced two changes to his Cabinet.
Cllr Ben Gray has replaced Cllr Gordon Kemp as Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Leisure whilst Cllr Kathryn McCaffer will take over from Cllr Geoff Cox as Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and Transport.
Cllr Thomas said:
“Social Care, Health and Leisure is an extremely important and challenging portfolio. The Vale’s most vulnerable residents rely on our social care team and our leisure services improve the lives of thousands each week. In Cllr Gray these residents have a champion with great experience in this field and one who during his chairmanship of the planning committee has proven himself able to scrutinise complex and sensitive issues with distinction.
“I’d like to thank Cllr Kemp for his work since this administration took charge of the Council nearly two years ago, and I look forward to working with him in the years to come as he continues to represent the Rhoose ward.”
Currently chairman of the Council’s planning committee, Cllr Gray represents the Plymouth ward in Penarth.
The second change to the Cabinet sees Cllr McCaffer replace Cllr Cox as Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services and Transport. Cllr Cox had previously decided to stand down from Cabinet to reduce his workload and has has now brought this decision forward as a result of a period of ill health, from which he is recovering.
Cllr Thomas said:
“Geoff Cox has been a great servant to the residents of his ward and the Vale of Glamorgan as a whole. He has lived in Cowbridge for almost 50 years and has worked tirelessly to represent the community since he was first elected in 2001. In this time he has proved himself to be a true community champion. Cllr Cox will continue to represent the Cowbridge ward and I look forward to working with him in the future.
“While Geoff’s experience will be sorely missed, in Cllr McCaffer the Cabinet has gained an exceptionally committed and hardworking councillor who will bring a new energy to a portfolio that includes the Council’s most visible services and those which touch the lives of the majority of residents every day.”
Cllr McCaffer is currently chair of the Healthy Living and Social Care Scrutiny Committee and also represents the Plymouth ward in Penarth.