David Smith

Lichfield District Council announced the new-look Cabinet and council committees at yesterday’s Full Council Meeting, which took place on Tuesday 14 July 09.

It is a great compliment to Lichfield District Council that many of our councillors have been appointed such high profile roles in Staffordshire County Council. Because these roles will take up much of their time, it has meant some re-structuring of Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet and committees.

I would like to thank former cabinet members, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member Councillor Matthew Ellis and Cabinet Member Councillor Ben Adams.

Despite the fact that we’re losing considerable talent, I am fortunate to have so many experienced and capable councillors to call on. With that in mind, I am delighted to announce the new Cabinet, which includes three new members and a new role.

I am pleased to welcome Councillor Helen Fisher who is taking on the new role of Cabinet Member of Community, Councillor Ian Pritchard who is the new Cabinet Member of Housing, Health and Environmental Protection, and Councillor Michael Wilcox who is the new Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenues ad Benefits.

Councillor Val Richards is remaining the Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, and is taking on the extra role of Deputy Leader of the council. Councillor Colin Greatorex is the Cabinet Member for Organisational Development. Finally, Councillor Louise Flowith will remain Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Councillor Neil Roberts will remain Cabinet Member for Development Services, and Councillor Margaret Stanhope will remain Cabinet Member for Democratic and Legal Services.

I would also like to welcome Councillor Richard Cox as the Chairman of the Planning Committee, who will be supported by Councillor Ellen Perkins, who is the new Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee.

This is a strong Cabinet, and I am looking forward to working with all the Cabinet Members in the future. I would like to congratulate all our district councillors who have got high profile roles in the county, including Councillor Erica Bayliss, who is the Vice Chairman of the county council, and Councillor Alan White who is the Chairman of the Corporate Review Committee.

Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet
 
Leader of Cabinet
David S. Smith
 
Deputy Leader of Cabinet and Cabinet Member for Leisure Services
Val Richards
 
Cabinet Member for Community
Helen Fisher
 
Cabinet Member for Operational Services
Louise Flowith
 
Cabinet Member for Organisational Development
Colin Greatorex
 
Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Environmental Protection
Ian Pritchard
 
Cabinet Member for Development Services
Neil Roberts
 
Cabinet Member for Democratic and Legal Services
Margaret Stanhope
 
Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits
Michael Wilcox

Have your say on policies that could transform the Region over the next 20 years.

Rural services, environmental issues, mineral resources, accommodation for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople as well as culture, sport and tourism are all up for discussion in a seven-week consultation as part of the Phase Three Revision of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy.  Now halfway through, the public have only three weeks left to take part in the consultation.

This is a major planning consultation about a Strategy that will affect the lives of everyone in the Region .

There are some tough choices at hand and it is vital that we hear from as many individuals, businesses and organisations as possible to ensure development plans reflect the needs of local residents across the Region.  Whether your concern is urban green space, rural transport or renewable energy - we want to hear from you.

Prepared by the West Midlands Regional Assembly, and submitted to government, the Strategy sets out targets for homes, the economy, infrastructure and the environment through to 2026.  The consultation will run until 14th August, where the public will have the opportunity to submit their views via an online questionnaire or in writing.  A Preferred Option will be drafted based on the consultation feedback later this year, and be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.

Here is my official statement as well as David Clancy’s response to Michael Fabricants comments about Advantage West Midlands pulling out of the Friarsgate scheme.

Cllr David S. Smith, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: "Friarsgate is absolutely not dead. Quite the contrary, Friarsgate is very much alive. The AWM funding was only ever going to pay for less than 5% of the overall costs of the development, and was being used to pay for part of the costs of moving the police station, rather than for the shopping centre itself. Whilst we are of course disappointed by AWM's decision, it will in no way stop Friarsgate from moving forward. As a council we are committed to Friarsgate, and whilst the current economic climate has slowed progress, we are still confident it will be one of the first developments of its kind to progress when the market picks up. Despite current conditions, interest from big name retailers is still very high and absolutely no retailers have pulled out."   

Says David Clancy of developers S Harrison: "Retailer interest in Friarsgate remains high. It is the current banking situation that has delayed the project, not the lack of occupier interest. Indeed, we have spoken to many of the key retailers in the last month and they all remain committed to Friarsgate and want a store in the scheme as soon as possible."