I was elected to Newport City Council in May 1999, and following my
re-election in 2004 I was elected Leader of the Conservative Group.

I was proud to be elected as Leader of the Council on 24 June 2008. This
was an historic day in the history of the City’s Council as it is the
first time we have been administered by a coalition of two parties.

My Conservative Group and the Liberal Democrat Group have signed an
agreement setting out a programme of priority actions. The main focus of
the programme is on the “liveability” agenda, although the
Administration agreement has also made clear the coalition’s commitment
to maintaining high quality services in education, housing and social
services.

One of our first actions was to change the structure of the Council’s
decision making processes to strengthen the role of scrutiny and to
reduce the number of Cabinet Members. We reduced the number of Cabinet
Members from 10 to 8 and reduced the number of scrutiny forums from 8 to
6.

We agreed a cut in the current value of Councillor’s special
responsibility allowances by 11%. Savings accrued from Councillors’
allowance reductions has been used to contribute to funding for
City-wide spending on road and pavement repairs

We will be working to develop a ‘cross-councils’ waste management
project, with continued support for re-cycling and co-operation in
landfill management and we intend to roll out a programme of weekly food
collections by 2010.

I would wish to see a review of the effectiveness of the bus lanes
around the city and seek to develop a workable arrangement to ensure
ease of access to the city centre. I would also wish to see as many of
our city centre parks as possible obtaining green flag status

Our plan contains a significant number of commitments. It was considered
by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 15 July 2008. This has been
updated regularly. To see a copy of the most recent update please click
here.

I will be undertaking the role as Leader and Chairman of the Cabinet.

The recent economic downturn has impacted upon everyone. The Council
continues to work hard to provide excellent services at good value to
the people who live and work in our city. Despite the current economic
downturn, major regeneration projects are underway across the city,
ranging from new housing schemes, a new university campus in the city
centre to new retail and business developments. To read more click here.


As Leader of the Council and Chair of the Cabinet, I am responsible for
Local, National and External relations. I also lead on performance
Management and delivery of the Corporate Plan. I will, of course take
the lead in the preparation of draft Revenue and capital budgets for
consideration by the Council.

As Leader of the Council, I also represent the Council on a number of
important associations and partnerships such as the WLGA, the Local
Service Board and the Connecting South East Wales partnership.

Outside of politics, I am a keen supporter of Newport and Newport Gwent
Dragons. I am past captain of Stow Park Lawn Tennis Club, a member of
Newport Golf Club, Friend of the Newport Ship and member of the 104
Regiment Luncheon Club.