Camden Liberal Democrats show strength in depth with new appointments to Executive team

3.45.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Apr 2008

Camden Liberal Democrats are today announcing planned changes to their team on Camden Council's Executive, the Council's main decision-making body.

The changes are subject to approval by the Full Council meeting on 14 May.

Among the key changes is the news that Cllr James King and Ralph Scott will be joining the Executive for the first time. An important change for demonstrating the administration's commitment to Camden's tenants and leaseholders is the intention to strengthen the Executive's role on Housing, with two Executive members now having housing responsibilities rather than one.

Cllr James King will become the Executive Member for Community Safety and Housing Services. He takes over the Community Safety brief from Cllr Ben Rawlings.

Cllr Ralph Scott joins the Executive for the first time as the new Executive Member for Resources. Cllr Janet Grauberg will move from her current role as Executive Member for Resources to become Executive Member for Children.

Cllr Keith Moffitt, Leader of Camden Council says "As we reach the mid-way point in Camden's successful partnership administration, I am delighted to welcome two new members to the Lib Dem team on the Executive. John Bryant, who leads on Children, of course told me of his decision to step down last September, but Ben Rawlings's decision to leave the Executive is more recent and his sharp brain and energetic approach vibrancy will be much missed.

"Ben took on an amazing challenge accepting a key portfolio - Community Safety - at the age of 24 when he was a new councillor, and I can unreservedly say that he's made a great success of it. I fully understand that he now needs to focus on the demands of his professional career."

Cllr King's housing brief will include housing management and tenant participation. He will also lead a review of the services offered to Camden Council's 9,000 leaseholders.

Cllr King says, "I am really looking forward to taking on this new and exciting Executive role. Community safety and housing are my two great interests from my work as a ward councillor in Kilburn. I will be giving high priority to the Council's efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour on our estates, as part of our borough wide strategy. I also want to improve the quality of services we offer to council tenants and leaseholders including a more responsive, ward-based approach.

"I am committed to building on Ben's excellent partnership work with the police, which has delivered a major reduction in crime across Camden, particularly drug dealing in Camden Town".

Cllr Chris Naylor will focus on the Decent Homes programme and Estates Regeneration. His post becomes Executive Member for Homes and Housing Strategy.

Cllr Naylor says, "I think it's very important we're investing more energy in tackling Camden's housing challenges. Social and private rented housing in Camden is central to the quality of life of over 100,000 residents. I'm delighted to focus on Decent Homes and Estate Regeneration, and our Health and Safety regime. I look forward to Cllr King joining me to progress improvements in our housing services."

Commenting on his decision to step down from his Executive role, Cllr Rawlings said "It's been a privilege to serve Camden as Executive Member for Community Safety. As we reach the halfway point of this administration we've done what we said we'd do and more: we've exceeded our crime reduction targets, we've carried out the UK's first proper review of antisocial behaviour powers and delivered an extensive Antisocial Behaviour Action Plan, and we've delivered our manifesto commitments. The Community Safety Team is stronger, and the Council's response to crime and antisocial behaviour is more joined up and effective across different services and with partners such as the police, the courts and the probation service. Though there are certainly a lot of problems remaining, I've no doubt that Camden is a safer place than when we started, and that we are better equipped to face the challenges ahead.

"It is a good time to take stock of what we've done, and how we face the challenges ahead. There are many other things that I would like to work on as a councillor - supporting Camden's first Youth Council and ensuring our young people have the best possible opportunities; supporting and encouraging people to walk around Camden; promoting Camden's unique vibrancy and culture - as well as a lot of work to be done in my ward. I think it is very important that local politics is open to all, and that requires people to move on and allow others to take up the challenge."

Cllr Scott, commenting on his new role as Executive Member for Resources, says, "This is an exciting challenge - Janet Grauberg has left a strong legacy that I hope to build upon. My priority will be strong financial management to ensure that this administration can continue to deliver on its promises: to hold down council tax, to invest in council homes, improve Camden's schools and make the borough a leader in environmental sustainability."

Cllr Grauberg says, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on the Children's portfolio - an area where I have always had a personal interest. I am looking forward to continuing the excellent work that John Bryant has started in delivering a once-in-a-generation change in education through our Building Schools for the Future programme.

"I want to ensure that Camden is a Borough of Opportunity for young people and make sure that Camden's most vulnerable children get the care and support they need to fulfil their potential."

Cllr Keith Moffitt will continue to serve as Leader of the Council. Cllr Flick Rea hands over the baton as Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Group to Janet Grauberg, but Flick will remain as Executive Member for Culture and will take over Cllr Bryant's current role as Executive Member for Personnel.

Cllr Rea said "I have always said that Camden Council's most important resource is its staff, and so I am particular delighted to be taking on the personnel portfolio. I look forward to building on the positive relations with Camden's unions that I built up in the days when we worked together on health and safety issues".

Cllr Moffitt added, "These new appointments show the strength of the whole Liberal Democrat team - John and Ben have played a very significant part in the successes of the first two years of this administration and now it's great to be able to bring onto the Executive two just as strong and effective councillors in Ralph and James"

"We look forward to continuing the positive and constructive relationship we enjoy with the Conservative members of the Executive, who I understand will remain unchanged".