A NEW Cabinet member for finance has been appointed by Coventry City Council following the resignation of councillor John Mutton.
Labour councillor Richard Brown succeeds Coun John Mutton who stepped down from the post earlier this week after a breach of holiday quarantine rules following a trip to France.
The former council leader was due to spend 14 days self-isolating at home, but on Monday was reported to the police by the council’s chief executive Martin Reeves after picking up paperwork from the Council House. He felt the “the only honourable way forward” was to resign from his cabinet position.
Coun Brown, who represents the Cheylesmore ward, has served on the council since winning a by-election in May 2014. He previously served as Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee, a member of Finance and Corporate Services Scrutiny Board and a former Chair of the Planning Committee.
He said: “It is a great honour to be selected for a Cabinet Member post, particularly in such an important position that will have well-documented challenges ahead thanks to the national funding shortages that all local authorities face.
“I am looking forward to continuing the tremendous work that has already been achieved in this area, but I am realistic enough to know that will be real challenges and tough decisions to be made in the near future.”
Coun George Duggins, Leader of Coventry City Council, said: “I am delighted to appoint Richard to this very important position.
“Through his excellent work as chair of Scrutiny Coordination Committee and as chair of Planning, Richard has built up a wealth of experience and when allied to a 30-year career in the private sector, I know he has the knowledge and expertise needed.
“It means he will be able to hit the ground running and carry on with the excellent progress that has been made by John Mutton in this portfolio in recent years.”
