Metro Mayor hands out portfolios to his top team which includes all six city region council leaders and Local Enterprise Partnership chair and businessman Asif Hamid. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and Local Enterprise Partnership chair Asif Hamid are among the big names taking on key portfolios in City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s top team.
On Friday the Mr Rotheram chaired his first meeting of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
He unveiled the portfolios authority members will over see. Mayor Anderson will be responsible for housing and public sector reform while Mr Hamid will be in charge of business and Brexit.
Wirral Council leader Phil Davies will take on economic development and culture while energy and renewables goes to Halton Council leader Rob Polhill.
Skills and apprenticeships are the purview of Sefton Council leader Ian Maher, Knowsley Council leader Andy Moorhead will look after health, adult and social care while Barrie Grunewald, leader of St Helens Council is in charge of spatial planning, environment and air quality.
The Metro Mayor himself is taking on a key responsibility for innovation and the digital economy as well as policy and finance.
Mr Rotheram said: “My role – and the role of the Combined Authority – is to re-think, re-position and remake our city region.
“Our vision must be to deliver a confident, dynamic and prosperous area that will be a positive economic and creative asset for the UK.
“We are here to drive prosperity, encourage innovation and expand opportunities for people and communities in every part of our city region.
“We are lucky to live in a place with an extraordinary story – and outstanding physical, natural and economic assets.
“We have one of the most recognisable brands on the planet – and an abundance of creative energy.
“Devolution therefore, gives us the opportunity to fulfil our potential.”
In addition, Cllr Liam Robinson, will also be joining the Combined Authority to lead on transport.
It was also agreed to appoint Merseytravel chief executive, Frank Rogers, as its new interim head of paid service, pending the recruitment of a permanent new appointment for the key role.