News / Politics
Marvin Rees introduces his new cabinet
Marvin Rees has unveiled his “rainbow” cabinet of nine councillors from across the political spectrum.
His team, which met for the first time on Thursday, is made up of six Labour colleagues and one from each of the Green Party, Lib Dems and Conservatives.
Six women and three men take seats at the new top table which has grown from five seats in total under George Ferguson.
The new cabinet members are:
Estella Tincknell (Lab) Deputy mayor (with special responsibility for democracy, culture, policy, strategy and communications, and international issues)
Mark Bradshaw (Lab) – Transport
Clare Campion-Smith (Lib Dem) – People
Craig Cheney (Lab) – Finance, Governance and Performance
Fi Hance (Green) – Health and Wellbeing
Marg Hickman (Lab) – Neighbourhoods
Claire Hiscott (Con) – Education and Skills
Helen Holland (Lab) – Place (including special responsibility for the arena)
Paul Smith (Lab) – Homes
“Together we will form a strong team which gets things done for this city,” Rees said. “Our top priority will be tackling inequality in all its forms, particularly in how we deliver new homes, address Bristol’s poverty gap and ensure that the city’s success can benefit everybody.”
The previous cabinet voted on key decisions with the mayor having a final veto. However, Rees has promised to delegate more power to his cabinet.
He told Bristol24/7 the details are yet to be hammered out. Mark Bradshaw, who served under and was sacked from Ferguson’s cabinet, said: “I think this will be much more inclusive for the council with more power to cabinet members.”
The new transport boss added that no new residents’ parking zones would be created under his brief without the agreement of residents.
He added: “We are not going to rip out RPZs or 20mph, but we want to make them fit closer to the needs of each neighbourhood.”
Craig Cheney, who will hold the purse strings with his new finance brief, said the council now faces the task of putting together a budget to deal with a £36 million deficit this year alone.
“The finances are not great and a lot is going to have to be done. We will need to look into the finances properly and see if there are any other quick wins out there.”
He added it was too early to speculate at cuts to services and job losses.
Read more: Mayor Marvin names first cabinet member
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