Labour Opposition at Lichfield District Council Reviews Its First 100 Days
Labour Opposition at Lichfield District Council Reviews Its First 100 Days – and Plans for Future
Labour Opposition councillors at Lichfield District hailed their recent Away Day a success and a clear signal that Labour is making real changes at the Council. After the 100 Days marker since the elections, Labour now seeks to build on the changes they’ve brought about so far
The session was held at Chasewater Innovation Centre and Labour Group Chair, Cllr Colin Ball, said:
“I came away from our session feeling really buoyed up, not just by the work we have done so far but, given the depth and breadth of the skills and knowledge of our members, the potential we have to make a real difference to the lives of local residents. There was a great deal of enthusiasm in the room and a clear consensus about our strategies in the months ahead. If any of the Conservatives haven’t yet realised that things have changed at the Council, and will continue to change, they need to wake up very quickly.”
Principal Opposition Leader, Cllr Sue Woodward, said:
“I’m certainly proud to lead the Labour Opposition and we have notched up some real successes in our first 100 Days. We have a very capable and committed Shadow Cabinet, which has been recognised by the Council Leadership. Labour members have been active in scrutinising proposals by the Cabinet including volunteering for Task Groups that are able to scrutinise in detail proposals on Pedestrianisation, the new Leisure Centre, Climate Change and the City Centre Masterplan.
We have taken through our Food Insecurity motion with unanimous support and will now be making progress on mapping sources of help and bringing together a partnership of organisations supporting food injustice. Whether it is Full Council meetings, Committee Meetings or briefings and training sessions, Labour members, new and old, are far more engaged than Conservative backbench members and it’s great to be able to lead such an effective team.
There’s a lot more to be done though. The culture of the organisation is changing and we want to work with all parties to achieve a better council but too many still think of Lichfield District Council as it was previously, an almost one-party state. With additional members now, we are certainly making our presence felt.”
Following May’s local elections, Labour now holds 17 seats and the Conservatives hold 23. With the Lib Dems holding 7 seats, the Conservatives are the biggest political Group but no longer have an overall majority.