A council has announced its new leader and cabinet following a surprising election which saw the former Conservative stronghold fall to the Liberal Democrats.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has been led by the Conservative party since 2007, until they were defeated in the 2023 local election held on May 4.

At the Annual Counci meeting on Tuesday, May 23, Councillor Simon Werner, local leader of the Liberal Democrats, was elected as leader of the council with responsibility for the Community Partnerships, Public Protection and Maidenhead portfolio.

Cllr Werner said: “It is a huge honour to be elected leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and confirm the Borough’s new cabinet. 

“We are all committed to putting the Borough at the heart of the community and want to work with residents to find the right way forward. 

“I want to see an inclusive council and I look forward to working with our amazing residents in coming to decisions and this new cabinet starts that process.” 

At the meeting the Cabinet members, and their responsibilities, were also decided. They are as follows.

  • Councillor Lynne Jones – Deputy Leader of the Council, Finance
  • Councillor Geoff Hill – Highways and Traffic, Customer Service Centre and Employment
  • Councillor Amy Tisi – Children’s Services, Education and Windsor
  • Councillor Catherine del Campo – Adult Services and Health
  • Councillor Karen Davies – Climate Change, Biodiversity and Windsor Town Council
  • Councillor Richard Coe – Environmental Services
  • Councillor Adam Bermange – Planning, Legal and Asset Management
  • Councillor Joshua Reynolds – Communities and Leisure.

A number of councillors have also been appointed to ‘champion’ roles to focus on specific areas within the borough. They are:

  • Councillor Helen Taylor – Social housing
  • Councillor David Buckley - Business
  • Councillor Helen Price – Corporate social responsibility
  • Councillor Chris Moriarty – Consultation
  • Councillor Jack Douglas – Volunteering

Councillor Mandy Brar has been appointed chair of licensing, and Councillor Gurch Singh and Councillor Alison Carpenter have been appointed chairs of Maidenhead and Windsor Town Forums respectively.