New-look team announced at East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s AGM

Following yesterday’s Full Council AGM (Thursday, May 13), Cllr Owen becomes just the third leader in the 25-year history of East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The new-look team of portfolio holders was also announced.

They are:

○ Economic growth and tourism – Cllr Jane Evison

○ Adults, health and well-being – Cllr Vanessa Walker

○ Children and young people’s education, health and well-being – Cllr Victoria Aitken

○ Environment and climate change – Cllr Chris Matthews

○ Public health and tackling inequality – Cllr Kerri Harold

○ Planning, infrastructure and housing – Cllr Gary McMaster

○ Cultural and leisure assets – Cllr Mike Medini

○ Community involvement and voluntary sector – Cllr David Elvidge

Cllr Owen, who represents the East Wolds and Coastal ward, is one of the authority’s longest serving members having first been elected to the council in 1999 and from 2003 served as deputy leader to former leader, Cllr Stephen Parnaby OBE, until 2019.

In recent years, Cllr Owen has been the council’s lead on the health and well-being agenda and recently was chair of the health and well-being board.

The integration of the health and social care agenda will still remain one of Cllr Owen’s priorities in future months as part of the national agenda but he will also be focusing on tackling inequalities, ensuring suitable housing as well as overseeing the council’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cllr Owen said: “The safeguarding of children and adults will always be a priority for the council and I will continue to ensure those areas are supported.

“But I really want to move forward the inequalities agenda and to make sure we are investing in the right areas to ensure our investments are targeted to ensuring people have the opportunity to lead healthier lifestyles and remain in their own homes for as long as possible with our growing elderly population.

“Helping the economy and tourism industry bounce back following the Covid-19 pandemic is key, I also want to build on the lessons learned over the last year through the pandemic, understanding how we can work more closely with the community and voluntary sector as well as the town and parish councils and support them moving forward.”