New council cabinet portfolio holders look forward to continuing improvements

Bury Council’s new cabinet portfolio holders are looking forward to continuing to implement service improvements.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq has become the portfolio holder for Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing, while Councillor Lucy Smith has taken his former position in charge of Children and Young People’s Services.

The change follows the May elections and a vacancy left by the former health and wellbeing portfolio holder Andrea Simpson, who stepped down from the council.

Cllr Tariq, who is also deputy leader of the council, said: “It has been a true privilege to lead as cabinet member for children and young people over the past few years.

“Giving children and young people the best life chances and opportunities to thrive is at the heart of what Bury Council is committed to do.

“I am proud to have been able to champion developments that make a real difference to local families, and to listen and respond where improvements are needed.

“I'll be working hard as part of my work in health and wellbeing to ensure that children who have special educational needs and disabilities are supported.

“We have supported local families over the rising cost of living, through schemes such school meal vouchers during the holidays, the wonderful holiday activity schemes and help to buy school uniforms for eligible families.

“It’s great to see individual schools getting on board too, supporting families through schemes such as a uniform shop offering pre-loved clothing at affordable prices at one local school.

“We have responded to the need to improve our children’s social care system by agreeing an improvement plan and recruiting additional social workers to join our team.

“It’s fantastic news too that over 94% of Bury primary pupils will attend their first choice of primary school this year, and the number of pupils who have been accepted into their first choice of secondary school has also increased from last year.

“It was also a pleasure that, during my final weeks in the role, I had the opportunity to visit a number of schools that have demonstrated improved Ofsted performance.

“I feel confident that things are progressing in a positive way in children’s services more broadly, and I wish Cllr Smith all the very best in her new role.

“It’s an exciting time in health and care, and this feels the right time for me to now pick up on the sterling work of former councillor Simpson to improve health and wellbeing and to champion the benefits of delivering personalised care services right down to a neighbourhood level.”

Cllr Lucy Smith said: “I’m honoured take over the reins from Cllr Tariq’s leadership for children and young people and to build on his significant contributions to date.

“There is a lot to do within children’s services in the borough.

“We have a new high school coming to Radcliffe, a viability study for a Youth Zone facility in the town, and our continued work to improve the care and support we provide to the borough’s most vulnerable children and families.

“I am confident we can make a real and genuine difference to services for children, young people and their families in Bury.”

The new cabinet structure is: