Stockport Council Liberal Democrat group made a change to the ‘top team’ line up of its Cabinet members, as the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture and Sport, Cllr Frankie Singleton, stepped down due to increasing work commitments. After an internal election, the Liberal Democrat group of councillors has elected Cllr Helen Foster-Grime to replace her. Cllr Foster-Grime, who represents Cheadle Hulme South ward, has previously acted as a cabinet member until 2023.
Cllr Singleton Said;
“It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve on the Council Cabinet, I am grateful to the officers of the council that I’ve worked closely with over the last 18 months and I’ve relished the opportunity to collectively shape our borough’s bright future with my fellow Liberal Democrat councillors.”
Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Hunter said
“We’re very sad to see Frankie go, she has been a diligent and hardworking member of the Cabinet who has always put Stockport first. After the record-breaking successes of the Liberal Democrats in the last General Election, her day job of supporting campaigns within the party is set to vastly increase, she has decided to step down from her role on cabinet before both roles became too difficult to manage. We’re very grateful for all the work she has done and look forward to her continued support from the backbenches.“
During her time in cabinet, Cllr Singleton oversaw Stockport’s ‘Town of Culture’ celebrations, as well as the development of the highly anticipated Stockroom, due to open in spring. Her leadership to tackle inequalities and poverty has made Stockport award winning in this area of work and efforts to improve football pitches and access to sports for women and girls in particular will leave a lasting legacy close to her heart.
Previously, Cllr Foster-Grime served as the Communities and Housing portfolio holder until 2023, after being a member of the shadow cabinet and was a Liberal Democrat candidate in the 2019 EU elections.
“Whilst there are big shoes to fill, thankfully we have an excellent replacement. Helen was first elected in 2007 and has previously held a number of cabinet positions, her wealth of ability and experience leaves me with no doubts that she will fit seamlessly in to our ongoing work of preparing the budget. While there a huge challenges facing us all in local government at the moment, there are so many exciting things happening in Stockport. Helen’s appointment means that we can hit the ground running and continue to build on the foundations that Frankie has helped to create.”
