Councillor Paul A Watkins
Conservative Party
The Leader of the Council is responsible for determining the Portfolio Structure of the Cabinet and nominating to the Council the Members that he wishes to serve on the Cabinet for the coming year. While the Leader is involved in all areas of the Council, the day-to-day responsibility for many aspects of the Council’s work is assigned to individual members, called Portfolio Holders.
The Leader of the Council provides the authority with strategic and political leadership and leads its external relations with all tiers of local and central government, other public bodies, partner organisations and the media.
The areas for which the Leader retains direct responsibility are as follows:
Councillor P A Watkins has been Leader of the Council since May 2003 and is also the Conservative Group Leader.
Councillor Frederick J W Scales
Conservative Party
Although the Deputy Leader of the Council is a distinct position in its own right, it is often held in conjunction with a Cabinet portfolio. It is the responsibility of the Deputy Leader to ensure that the Council’s management and political processes function effectively.
The Portfolio Holder for Economy & Special Projects is responsible for encouraging and promoting the prosperity of the District by developing local entrepreneurship, inward investment and community regeneration.
The main areas of responsibility for the two positions are as follows:
Councillor F J W Scales has been Deputy Leader of the Council since May 2003.
Councillor Sylvia (Sue) Nicholas
Conservative Party
The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing, Local Authority Housing, Landlord Policy and Tenant Affairs is responsible for ensuring that the future housing needs of the District are met, and that current housing stock is of a decent standard. The Portfolio Holder is also responsible for overseeing the Council’s relationship with tenants and private sector landlords. This Portfolio Holder also acts as a champion for vulnerable, disadvantaged, disabled and elderly people within the District.
The main areas of responsibility for the Portfolio are as follows:
Councillor Mrs S R Nicholas has been a member of the Cabinet since May 2003.
Councillor Nigel J Collor
Conservative Party
The Portfolio Holder for Access and Property Management is responsible for monitoring the provision of transport services, managing the Council’s assets and property, and for overseeing licensing for taxis, public entertainment and other areas subject to legislation. The Portfolio Holder is also responsible for parking and highways (where this falls within the remit of the Council), and for ensuring that good quality services are accessible to all people within the District.
The main areas of responsibility for the Portfolio are as follows:
Portfolio Holder for Community, Citizenship, Youth and Sport Councillor Julie A Rook
Conservative Party
The Portfolio Holder for Community, Citizenship, Youth and Sport is responsible for promoting a culture of pride in the District amongst all age groups, for encouraging good standards of public behaviour amongst residents and visitors, and for ensuring that appropriate enforcement action is taken against those whose anti-social behaviour affects the quality of life or property of others. The Portfolio Holder is also responsible for encouraging and supporting cultural, artistic, sporting and leisure activities in the District.
The main areas of responsibility for the Portfolio are as follows:
Councillor Mrs J A Rook has been a member of the Cabinet since May 2004.
Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning Councillor Nicholas S Kenton
Conservative Party
The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning is responsible for seeking improvement to the natural and built environment of the District, and for conserving its heritage. The Portfolio Holder is also responsible for ensuring that waste and pollution are minimised, and that waste produced is recycled or re-used as much as possible.
The main areas of responsibility for the Portfolio are as follows:
Councillor N S Kenton has been a member of the Cabinet since May 2005.
Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance Councillor Ian H Ward
Conservative Party
The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance is responsible for ensuring the effective management and use of the Council’s finances, revenue income, non-staff resources and other assets, as well as coordinating the delivery of the Capital Programme. The Portfolio Holder is also responsible for ensuring that the Council performs to a high standard in accordance with good governance and equality-related principles, and that these areas are monitored effectively.
The main areas of responsibility for the Portfolio are as follows:
Councillor I H Ward has been a member of the Cabinet since May 2008.
Portfolio Holder for ICT, Consumer Affairs and Human ResourcesCouncillor Trevor J Bartlett
Conservative Party
The Portfolio Holder for ICT, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources is responsible for ensuring that the Council maintains good relations with its staff, and for supporting the Council’s culture of customer care in its delivery of services. The Portfolio Holder is also responsible for ensuring the effective use of information technology.
The main areas of responsibility for the Portfolio are as follows:
Councillor T J Bartlett has been a member of the Cabinet since May 2003.
Portfolio Holder for Skills, Training and External RelationsCouncillor Christopher (Kit) J Smith
Conservative Party
The Portfolio Holder for Skills, Training and External Relations has a wide-ranging brief related to the Council’s partnership arrangements and relations with external bodies. The Portfolio Holder is also responsible for improving the accessibility and acquisition of skills and training by all age groups in the District.
The main areas of responsibility for the Portfolio are as follows:Councillor C J Smith has been a member of the Cabinet since May 2006.
Portfolio Holder for Health, Well-Being and Public Protection Councillor Patrick G Heath
Conservative Party
The Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Protection is responsible for safeguarding the health of the District, including the environmental health function of the Council.
The Portfolio Holder is responsible for partnership working with a range of bodies involved in the provision of (or with an interest in) health services in Kent, and is charged with directing the Council’s response to the public health directive of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.
The main areas of responsibility for the Portfolio are as follows:
Relationships with:
Councillor P G Heath has been a member of the Cabinet since May 2007.
Contact:
Democratic Services
Tel: 01304 872303
E-mail: democraticservices@dover.gov.uk
