MAYOR ANNOUNCES NEW LOOK EXECUTIVE TEAM

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston has unveiled a new look Executive team that he says is focused purely on making the town a better place to live, work and visit.

Two new portfolios announced by the Mayor will be led by new Executive members Cllr Tony Grainge and Cllr Luke Mason.

Cllr Grainge, who represents the Ladgate Ward, will become Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhood Safety, taking responsibility for coordinating council responses to anti-social behaviour and crime, spearheading work to improve the effectiveness of the police, wardens and other departments.

He will also explore new ways to make residents feel safe and report incidents and take responsibility for making sure that communities maintain and grow a sense of neighbourliness and that residential and business property owners who bring an area down by neglect are appropriately challenged and pushed to improve.

Cllr Mason, who represents Coulby Newham, will become Executive Member for Young Adults and Political Engagement. He will take responsibility for making sure Middlesbrough offers the careers, opportunities and amenities that will make young adults (16-23 years old) want to stay here and others want to move here.

He will also take responsibility for making sure that the council engages with young adults and all groups, encouraging increased levels of voting and other democratic activities.

Meanwhile Cllr Mieka Smiles, who represents Nunthorpe, will continue as Deputy Mayor but will switch from Executive Member for Culture and Communities to taking responsibility for Children's Services.

Cllr Stephen Hill, who represents Park End and Beckfield, will switch from Education to Communities. Cllr Barrie Cooper, who represents Newport, remains Executive Member for Environment, Finance and Governance and Cllr Eric Polano, who represents Acklam, will continue as Executive Member for Regeneration.

Mayor Preston said of the changes: "I'm delighted Luke and Tony have joined my Executive. Along with Mieka, Barrie, Eric and Stephen, we've now got a really strong team who are all completely focused only on making Middlesbrough an even better place.

"Luke is a really bright young man who is passionate about Coulby and Middlesbrough. His brains and ambition for the town will be put to great use as part of my Executive.

"Tony's extensive experience of youth work, community activism and championing the underdog means that he'll be fantastic at spearheading the council's efforts to work with the police to make our streets safer."

ENDS

Press Notice 6771. 13/01/21

Issued by Andrew Pain, Senior Communications Officer on 01642 729503.

www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

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