Cabinet Portfolio Descriptions 2026

The Cabinet Portfolio Descriptions document for the 2026 Municipal Year formally records the responsibilities assigned to each of the eight Cabinet Portfolio Holders following the Annual Meeting of Ambridge District Council on 1 May 2026. Prepared by the Democratic Services team and issued under the authority of the Leader of the Council, Councillor James Whitmore, this document provides an authoritative reference for Members, Council officers, the media, and the public regarding the scope of each Cabinet member’s political accountability and decision-making authority.

The Leader, Councillor Whitmore, retains the Finance, Corporate Strategy, and Policy portfolio, encompassing overall strategic leadership, the revenue and capital budget, corporate performance management, human resources, ICT and digital transformation, and external relations. The Deputy Leader, Councillor Sarah Collins, holds the Housing and Planning portfolio, covering housing strategy, homelessness, development management, the Local Plan, building control, and private sector housing enforcement.

The remaining six portfolios reflect the Council’s full range of service responsibilities. Councillor David Hughes leads on Economic Development and Regeneration, including town centre management, markets, tourism, and business support. Councillor Rachel Mwangi holds the Environment and Climate Change portfolio, covering waste services, street cleansing, grounds maintenance, the climate action plan, environmental health, and biodiversity. Councillor Tariq Ahmed is responsible for Community Safety and Public Health, including the Community Safety Partnership, CCTV, domestic abuse, public health commissioning, and emergency planning.

Councillor Linda Forsythe holds the Children’s Services and Education portfolio, covering statutory children’s social care, early years, schools admissions, and SEND. Councillor Peter Okafor leads on Adult Social Care, including assessment, residential and domiciliary care commissioning, carers’ support, and direct payments. Councillor Fiona Blake holds Leisure, Culture and Tourism, covering leisure centres, libraries, arts, parks, and events. The document also explains the legal basis for portfolio arrangements under the Local Government Act 2000.The Cabinet Portfolio Descriptions document for the 2026 Municipal Year formally records the responsibilities assigned to each of the eight Cabinet Portfolio Holders following the Annual Meeting of Ambridge District Council on 1 May 2026. Prepared by the Democratic Services team and issued under the authority of the Leader of the Council, Councillor James Whitmore, this document provides an authoritative reference for Members, Council officers, the media, and the public regarding the scope of each Cabinet member’s political accountability and decision-making authority.

The Leader, Councillor Whitmore, retains the Finance, Corporate Strategy, and Policy portfolio, encompassing overall strategic leadership, the revenue and capital budget, corporate performance management, human resources, ICT and digital transformation, and external relations. The Deputy Leader, Councillor Sarah Collins, holds the Housing and Planning portfolio, covering housing strategy, homelessness, development management, the Local Plan, building control, and private sector housing enforcement.

The remaining six portfolios reflect the Council’s full range of service responsibilities. Councillor David Hughes leads on Economic Development and Regeneration, including town centre management, markets, tourism, and business support. Councillor Rachel Mwangi holds the Environment and Climate Change portfolio, covering waste services, street cleansing, grounds maintenance, the climate action plan, environmental health, and biodiversity. Councillor Tariq Ahmed is responsible for Community Safety and Public Health, including the Community Safety Partnership, CCTV, domestic abuse, public health commissioning, and emergency planning.

Councillor Linda Forsythe holds the Children’s Services and Education portfolio, covering statutory children’s social care, early years, schools admissions, and SEND. Councillor Peter Okafor leads on Adult Social Care, including assessment, residential and domiciliary care commissioning, carers’ support, and direct payments. Councillor Fiona Blake holds Leisure, Culture and Tourism, covering leisure centres, libraries, arts, parks, and events. The document also explains the legal basis for portfolio arrangements under the Local Government Act 2000.