West Berkshire Conservatives appoint new leader
The West Berkshire Conservatives have chosen Bradfield councillor Ross Mackinnon to be their new leader.
The Conservatives won 11 seats on the 43-seat council at the local election and will be the new opposition party at West Berkshire Council (WBC).
Aldermaston councillor Dominic Boek will be the new deputy group leader.
Other appointments within the shadow executive have not yet been announced.
Mr Mackinnon, who was re-elected in his Bradfield ward, served as executive member for finance under the previous administration at WBC.
He said: “It’s a huge honour to be chosen to lead the Conservative group on West Berkshire Council.
Our returning members have great experience across all aspects of council life and our new colleagues will bring welcome skills, enthusiasm and freshness to the group.”
He thanked outgoing leader Lynne Doherty, who lost her seat to the Lib Dems in her Newbury Speen ward, for the outstanding leadership she brought to the council and the Conservatives.
He said: “She will be sorely missed by us all and has set a shining example for me to follow.
“We pledge to work tirelessly for all residents of West Berkshire in holding the new administration to account.”
Mr Mackinnon has also raised specific concern with the Lib Dem’s next steps in dealing with the Local Plan Review- which will determine where and how many homes will be built in the district.
Deputy leader Dominic Boek has represented Aldermaston ward since 2015 and he was previously the executive member for children, young people and education.
He said: “The result of the election was not what we wanted but we have the insight, skills and experience to make sure the Liberal Democrats keep our district one of the best places to live and work, grow and learn.
“We are proud of our record in keeping council tax low, our roads among the best in the country and our services high-quality.
“The Liberal Democrats have said they will cancel our infrastructure projects that will give residents a state of the art sports facility, an upgraded industrial estate for innovation and jobs and more.
“This would be terrible for residents and we will urge them to give their support to these important initiatives, just as they have to the hugely popular new look Newbury Lido.”
The full shadow executive and committee memberships will be confirmed by May 25 when the council holds its annual meeting.