THE council leader has been re-elected for another four years following a challenge for the leadership.

Terry O’Neill (LAB – Burtonwood and Winwick) faced a challenge for the role from, according to sources, Cllr David Keane (LAB – Penketh and Cuerdley).

But after each of the 42 party members cast their vote, Cllr O’Neill’s re-election was confirmed at last night’s Labour AGM at the Town Hall.

Changes have been made to the executive board, which is now made up of 10 members, instead of nine.

Cllr Linda Dirir (LAB – Penketh and Cuerdley), who was portfolio holder for highways, transportation and climate change, and Cllr Keane, who was portfolio holder for environment and public protection, are no longer on the board.

"Every four years the Labour party's democratic rules allow for any councillors to put themselves forward as the next leader and I am very grateful and honoured to have been re-elected by my peers," said Cllr O'Neill.

"I want to put on record my gratitude to my previous executive board who have worked hard to mitigate the impact of our budgets being slashed by the Tory and Liberal Democrat coalition so that we could continue to provide vital services for our town's most vulnerable and growing elderly population, while also continuing to grow our local economy. 

"But now, as has been widely reported, we expect the Conservative Government to slash the funding they give to councils in the north of England and so we need to find newer and more innovative ways to do things differently.

"And to that end I have decided to refresh the executive board to take on this challenge and take Warrington forward.

“They have been excellent but we need to move onto the next level now.”

Cllr Dirir admits the role has been tiring but is pleased with all she has achieved in her time on the board and now shifts her attention to focusing on her ward responsibilities.

"I think there are four big highlights during my four years on the board," she said.

"The memorandum of understanding with Peel Ports, securing the money for street lighting replacement, identifying the £40 million for the capital programme to improve highways and for gateway improvements.

"I am quite pleased with my four years on the board but it is quite tiring and exhausting.

"Now when I go to council in future I will have a chance to sit back and have a rest."

Health and wellbeing and adult social care will now be split into two separate roles.

Cllr Pat Wright (LAB – Bewsey and Whitecross) will remain in charge of adult social care, including statutory health services.

The responsibility of tackling climate change will now shift to the environment and public protection portfolio, with Cllr Judith Guthrie (LAB - Westbrook) taking over as portfolio holder.

Hans Mundry (LAB – Latchford East) will take over the portfolio for highways and transportation, while Cllr Maureen McLaughlin (LAB – Latchford West) has been brought in to take charge of public health and wellbeing.

Cllr Tony Higgins (Fairfield and Howley) has moved from being chairman of the scrutiny committee to chairman of the ‘building stronger communities’ policy committee.

Laurence Murphy (LAB – Stockton Heath) will take over as scrutiny committee chairman.

Cllr Higgins said: “I wanted to be on the new policy committee as I am so passionate about communities in the town.

“I have done a lot of work on multi-ethnic events but I have a lot of ambition to continue helping communities thrive.”

At the meeting Cllr Faisal Rashid (LAB – Whittle Hall) was also selected as the town’s next Deputy Mayor.

Cllr Keane has been unavailable for comment.

A breakdown of how the votes were cast was not given at the meeting.

The executive board will now be comprised of leader Cllr O'Neill, deputy leader Mike Hannon, corporate finance portfolio holder Russ Bowden, personnel and communications portfolio holder Hitesh Patel, Children and young people's services portfolio holder Jean Carter, adult social care portfolio holder Cllr Wright, health and wellbeing portfolio holder Cllr McLaughlin, leisure, community and culture portfolio holder Kate Hannon highways, transportation and public realm portfolio holder Cllr Mundry and portfolio holder for environment, climate change and public protection Cllr Guthrie.

These titles are currently under review.