MARIE Rimmer has been elected new Leader of St Helens Council for the second time. She succeeds Mike Doyle, Leader for the past two years, who has announced his intention to concentrate on his growing responsibilities in regional affairs.

Mike, who is Chairman of the North West Regional Assembly, has just taken up his new key position as Deputy Chairman of the Regional Development Agency, a ministerial appointment. The RDA is responsible for co-ordinating regional strategies and budgets for the North West.

Mike says he intends to carry on his commitment to local government and St Helens as ward councillor for Rainhill, a position which he has held since 1978. A former Mayor, Mike is also a parish councillor. The position of Leader is not a new one for Marie, who held the post previously and has been a member of the council representing the Thatto Heath ward since 1978.

Marie stood down from her position as Leader of the council in April 1993 and said at the time that she was sickened by Tory Government cuts and "enough was enough".

When she stood down, Marie said: "I became a councillor because I believe in local government; that is local people elected, with powers to make decisions in serving people...

"The simple fact is that this Government is hell-bent on destroying local democracy and I am not prepared to lead this council into destroying the quality services our people need."

After becoming Leader for the second time, Marie told the Star: "I am delighted to have been elected to the position of Leader of the council. It's a very exciting time in local government and many changes are required.

"During the local elections, members of the public told us what they want and we have a duty to deliver the services for them and that is what we intend to do."

She continued: "The Labour Government has given tremendous power and responsibility to local councils which will enable us to meet the aspirations of the public.

"Councillors' roles will change and there will be much more consultation. And a new partnership between the council and the public will be developed to enable us to meet our goals.

"We will aim to provide nursery provision for all children in St Helens and many improvements in other areas are planned. We will be judged on our actions and know that there is a busy time ahead, but we are looking forward to meeting the challenges.

"The Labour Government has given local councils the powers to get on with local government rather than acting as administrators for central government," she concluded.

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