KATE Groucutt has accepted a new cabinet role within St Helens Council as part of a raft of changes.

Cllr Groucutt, who was voted in as a ward member for Parr during May’s local elections, will take on the newly-created futures and performance portfolio.

Her lead roles will be to ensure the council can make the best of funding opportunities within Liverpool City Region and to assist in developing new policies and will also serve as a Labour whip.

Cllr Groucutt has experience of designing policy and leading grassroots campaigns through her previous roles in the voluntary sector and has previously worked in Parliament and with business leaders.

The mum-of-two has also served as a director and deputy chief executive at two national charities that campaigned for better childcare and early years support.

Cllr Groucutt previously served a term as a councillor and Chief Whip Islington London Borough Council, sat on the governing body of an NHS foundation trust and spent five years as a school governor.

St Helens Star:

Cllr Kate Groucutt, cabinet member for futures and performance 

The Labour councillor, who is married to St Helens North MP Conor McGinn, said she was “delighted” to be asked to join the cabinet by council leader Derek Long.

Cllr Groucutt said: “The leader has asked me to do a job and I think I have got the ability to do it.

“I have a professional background in policy at a senior level at a national charity, working with the government, the voluntary sector and business to bring people together.

“I have also been a councillor before in a London borough.

“So, I think I can bring a lot to the role and help the rest of the cabinet to drive forward the priorities for St Helens.”

Previously the council had ten portfolios, but this was slashed to eight by Cllr Long following a cabinet reshuffle in May.

Allan Jones, leader of St Helens Conservative group, told the Local Democracy Reporter Service he is “concerned” by the creation of the new role.

Cllr Jones said: “It seems to me a little strange that at a time when cabinet is having to make cuts to services for the people of St Helens the Labour council is increasing spending on cabinet by expanding the number of portfolios.

“However, by voting for it the people of St Helens have put their trust in this Labour council.

“Whether the trust will last beyond the local elections in May remains to be seen.”

Other changes to cabinet include the appointment of the Haydock councillor Jeanette Banks to the better health and community voice portfolio.

St Helens Star:

Cllr Jeanette Banks, cabinet member for better health and community voice 

With previous health sector experience, Cllr Banks, will take on responsibility for addressing health inequalities across the borough, along with a new role of strengthening communities’ voices within the council.

Her appointment follows the resignation of Windle councillor, Gill Neal.

Arts and culture, which was previously part of Cllr Neal’s portfolio, will now be shifted deputy leader Andy Bowden.

Another initiative will see Cllr Anthony Johnson, the portfolio holder with responsibility for budgets, challenged with raising new income for the council to help combat current and emerging government cuts.

Other responsibilities will be reviewed to make sure focus is kept on key challenges.

Cllr Long said: “Our world is changing fast. To keep our edge, we must adapt quickly.

“These planned changes mean we can build on recent successes, like attracting 1,260 new jobs, to create even more opportunities and better council services for residents.”