Changes to WBC Executive

Clive Jones, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Wokingham, and Sarah Kerr, Executive member for climate emergency and residents services, have attended their last meeting of the Wokingham Borough Council Executive.

Clive Jones, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Wokingham, has attended his last meeting of the council executive in his role as the executive member for business and economic development. He is stepping down from the executive to commit most of his time to meeting as many residents as possible, and campaigning on the important issues they raise, in order to beat John Redwood and win the 2024 general election.

Sarah Kerr, Executive Member for climate emergency and residents services, is also leaving the executive. Sarah will soon be starting an exciting new job outside of the council and is stepping down from the executive to focus on her new role.

Both will remain as backbench councillors.

Stephen Conway, Leader of Wokingham Borough Council said:

“I should like to thank Clive for his work as executive member for business and economic development, and for his leadership of the council in 2022-23, the first year of the new Liberal Democrat administration. Clive’s experience and determination has helped the council greatly in the transition from one administration to another.

I’m sure all my colleagues will join me in wishing Clive the best of luck with his parliamentary endeavours.

“Sarah has been an outstanding champion for the areas of her executive responsibility and her hard work and commitment will be missed by all of us. I’m sure everyone will wish to join me in wishing her well for the future.”

Clive Jones, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Wokingham, said:

“I have a real chance to become the first Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham. Every day, residents on the doorstep tell me they want change. They want real solutions to the cost-of-living crisis, an NHS they can rely on, and a water industry that is not pumping raw sewage into our waterways.

I want to focus all my time on fighting for the chance to be an MP who will work hard for our residents, and championing a fair deal for Wokingham.”

Sarah Kerr said:

“It’s been a privilege to serve Wokingham residents as Executive member for climate emergency and residents services. I’m passionate about doing everything we can to tackle the climate crisis and decarbonise the grid (the focus of my new job) and ensure residents find it easy to deal with the council. I know my colleagues will continue to do an outstanding job and I would like to thank them and the excellent council officer team for their hard work and support.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Clive Jones is the Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate in the Wokingham Constituency at the next general election. He expects to overturn the Conservatives’ majority of 7383.

• Cllr David Cornish will take over the role of Executive Member for Business and Economic Development.

• Sarah Kerr will hand over her executive responsibilities as follows:

  • David Cornish : climate emergency and arts and culture.

  • David Hare: violence against women and girls and domestic abuse.

  • Rachel Bishop-Firth: council website and digital.

  • Stephen Conway: solar farms, libraries, customer services and residents’ engagement.

• The Liberal Democrats are the largest party in Wokingham Borough Council, with 26 councillors. Cllr Stephen Conway is the Council Leader.