24th June 2007

At their first meeting of each Council year (May to June each year), the main City Council Committees decide on who will Chair and Vice Chair for the next 12 months. Nominations are made by all Committee members and the election to these seats decided by a majority vote.

This year the Greens have once again enjoyed cross-party support and been elected to a number of key positions including the Chairs of three major Committees.

City Green Group Leader Craig Simmons says: "Our appointment to key positions within the Council demonstrates that we are valued and respected - not just by the electorate but - by Councillors from across the political spectrum. Six out of eight Green Group Members are either Committee Chairs or Vice Chairs."

Posts include: (VC = Vice Chair; C = Chair)

• Cllr Craig Simmons: VC Finance and VC East Area Parliament
• Cllr Sid Phelps: C Environment Scrutiny and VC Scutiny Coordinating Group
• Cllr Mary Jane Sareva: C Licensing and VC General Purpose Licensing
• Cllr Elise Benjamin: C Strategic Development Control Committee (the Council's Central Planning Committee)
• Cllr Nuala Young: C East Area Parliament
• Cllr Matt Sellwood: VC Central, South and West Area Committee (and Member of Executive Board)

Several Committees have not yet met this year, so it is possible that further Green appointments may still be made.