Lib Dems name new city council front line

1.44.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 12th May 2009

Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith

Cambridge Liberal Democrats have elected their front line on the city council for the coming year.

A number of councillors hold on to their current posts but there are also a couple of new faces among the party's executive councillors.

Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith continues as Leader and Catherine Smart as Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Housing.

Rod Cantrill, Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources, Sian Reid, Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth and Julie Smith, Executive Councillor for Arts and Recreation will also continue.

East Chesterton Councillor, Clare Blair, takes the position of Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health, which was previously held by Councillor Sheila Stuart, who is the Lib Dems' nomination for Deputy Mayor for the coming year.

King's Hedges Councillor Mike Pitt will take over the post of Executive Councillor for Environmental Services from Councillor Colin Rosenstiel.

On Saturday the Lib Dem held their annual meeting at which they nominate people to take positions of responsibility on the council for the following year.

Cllr Nimmo-Smith said: "I am very grateful to Sheila and Colin for the work they have done, for three and six years respectively.

"The Lib Dem group is very fortunate to have lots of people with lots of talent. I look forward to working with Mike who will oversee the changes to the recycling services later this year, and Clare who will be boosting services and looking at health opportunities with partner agencies for families and young people during the economic downturn."

Cllr Rosenstiel said: "It has been a great honour to be at the heart of a successful Liberal Democrat controlling group for the past nine years.

"I look forward to new challenges ahead personally and have every confidence that with my colleagues we will continue to be successful in the choppy water ahead for local government."

Cllr Stuart said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as an executive councillor and look forward to new challenges following my nomination as Deputy Mayor. I know Clare will be an excellent executive councillor and I congratulate her on her appointment."