'It's a privilege': New face takes charge of Leeds transport and planning as councillor steps down
Leeds appoints new executive member for transport, planning and housing
The city’s Labour group has announced a new executive member for transport and planning following a councillor’s resignation.
Bramley and Stanningley Labour councillor Tom Hinchcliffe was appointed to the role on Leeds City Council’s executive board.
He will take over from Peter Carlill, a Calverley and Farsely member who resigned last week for health reasons.
Coun Hinchcliffe will be the council’s political lead on affordable housing, planning policies, flood management and public transport.
He said: “Leeds City Council is at the forefront of housebuilding and is leading a transformation in how we move around our city and the region.
“From record investment into council house building to bringing our buses back into public control, it’s a hopeful time for every Leeds resident.”
The resignation of Mr Carlill, a Labour and Co-operative member, has triggered a by-election in his former ward, now scheduled for October 22.
He represented the area since 2018 and was appointed to the transport and planning role in May this year.
He was thanked for his work for the city, including serving on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (WYCA) transport committee.
Coun Hinchcliffe ill now be the council’s main contact with WYCA on matters including bus franchising and mass transit.
He said: “It’s a privilege to be appointed to this role and I’m looking forward to working across the council to deliver the affordable homes Leeds needs and make life easier and safer for people who walk, drive, cycle and use public transport.”
The executive board is led by council leader James Lewis and is made up of senior Labour councillors, along with Conservative opposition leader Alan Lamb.
It usually meets once a month at Leeds Civic Hall and signs off on key decisions affecting the city.