COUNCILLOR Sue Duffy (Lab, Thornton and Allerton) has been named as the new Executive Member for Children and Families at Bradford Council.

She fills the role left vacant after the previous portfolio holder, Councillor Adrian Farley, lost his seat on the Council at this month's local elections.

The portfolio includes Children's Services - a department that is attempting to turn itself around after being judged "inadequate" by Ofsted in 2018.

Cllr Duffy, a councillor for Thornton and Allerton ward since 2015, has held a number of positions including Chair of Employee Appeals for the past five years, Deputy Chair of Corporate Scrutiny, on school appeals and as Executive Assistant she has been working with Public Health on the Living Well strategy. She has also taken on a number of outside responsibilities including Chair of school governors at Sandy Lane Primary, on West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee and on Yorkshire and Humber Employers Association.

Cllr Farley, who was appointed to the Executive in 2018, lost his Keighley West seat after the May 6 local elections.

He was beaten by Conservative candidate Julie Ann Glentworth - by just six votes.

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After the appointment, Councillor Duffy said: “Our district has a large population of children and young people and it’s a privilege for me to take on this role to be a strong advocate for each and every one of them.

"I passionately believe that every child should be given the opportunity to fulfil their potential in life, whatever their background and wherever they live. That belief will drive everything I do.

“I don’t under-estimate the scale of the challenge and of course the Covid pandemic has only increased the pressures on children and families. I’m raring to go, I’m already getting lots of briefings, I’m asking lots of questions and I am keen to work closely with partner agencies for a strong partnership approach. In putting children and families first, I am committed to providing the strong challenge and support that’s needed to deliver the significant improvements we are all working towards. I want to see a district in which all children can grow up with opportunities to be happy and to succeed in life and I will do my very best in the role.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “I am delighted to add Sue to our team on the Executive and I know that she will give it her all for the children and families of the district.

"The residents of Thornton, Allerton and Sandy Lane know Sue as someone who gets things done and just what a hardworking, diligent and principled councillor she is. Those qualities will prove invaluable as she takes on this vital and challenging portfolio.

“She has big shoes to fill in taking over from Adrian Farley who worked to get the strong foundations in place and get the improvement journey on track.

"Sue is tasked with building on those fundamentals and taking the improvements forward with urgency and we all look forward to working with her on this vital agenda.”

The other members will retain their portfolios following the elections. These are Councillor Imran Khan (Deputy Leader and Education, Employment and Skills), Councillor Sarah Ferriby (Healthy People and Places), Councillor Abdul Jabar (Neighbourhoods and Community Safety) and Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw (Regeneration, Planning and Transport).