Independents for Newark and District councillor Simon Forde takes over as Newark and Sherwood District Council’s portfolio holder for climate and environment following cabinet resignation of Green Party’s Emma Oldham

A new face will be heading up a council’s response to tackling climate and environmental issues after the previous portfolio holder resigned.

Independents for Newark and District councillor Simon Forde, who represents Balderton South, has been named as the new portfolio holder for climate and the environment on Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Among his new responsibilities, Mr Forde will oversee the delivery of the council’s Climate Change action plan, including energy generation, energy management — he will also set the policy for important management issues to do with waste collection and recycling, and land contamination, as well as environmental improvement work such as air quality, biodiversity and conservation, tree management, park maintenance and enhancement.

Simon Forde said: “I am delighted to be joining the cabinet. I recognise the importance this role plays in residents’ lives, and I will continue to work on behalf of everyone across the district.

“I am impressed with the work the council does in making sure our core statutory services are as brilliant and effective as they can be and look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues.”

The appointment follows the resignation of Green Party Group leader Emma Oldham from the cabinet position yesterday afternoon.

Ms Oldham, alongside her fellow Green Party councillor Matthew Spoors, and the three Liberal Democrats Keith Melton, Peter Harris, and Karen Roberts, have also withdrawn their support for the Labour-led council administration.

Council leader, Paul Peacock, said: “I would like to announce a change to my cabinet. Emma Oldham will be standing down from her position as portfolio holder for climate and the environment. I would like to thank Emma Oldham for her work as a Portfolio Holder.

“I would like to welcome Simon Forde who will take over from Councilor Oldham and will sit on our cabinet effective immediately. I look forward to working with him.

“I’m aware that the three Liberal Democrat councillors and the two Green Party councillors have withdrawn their support, and I would just like to reassure residents that the process through which decisions are made will not change."