The West Midlands public transport body Centro-PTA has announced a new vice-chair at its Annual General Meeting today.

Councillor Roger Horton (Labour, Sandwell) will join chairman Councillor Gary Clarke (Conservative, Walsall) at the top of the body responsible for the region’s public transport policy.

He replaces Councillor Paul Allen who held the position for two years. Cllr Horton will also continue his role as lead member for Metro matters for the Authority.

Cllr Clarke, who maintains his seat as chairman for the third year in succession, welcomed Cllr Horton into his new position.

And, despite coming from different parties, they pledged to maintain the good working relationship that has built up between Labour and Conservative members and work hard together in an aim to deliver better quality and reliable public transport.

“The following year is very important for transport in the West Midlands, with many major projects taking place and with public transport continuing to move even higher on the Government’s agenda,” comments Cllr Horton.

“It is vital that we, as councillors for Centro-PTA work hard together, as well as with officers, partners and leaders of local authorities, to overcome hurdles and deliver on projects so that people can have the public transport system they deserve.”

Centro-PTA is made up of 27 councillors nominated by the seven city and metropolitan borough councils of the West Midlands. Following the local elections in May, the balance of power has been 13 Conservative councillors, 11 Labour and three Liberal Democrat.

At the meeting, new lead members were also announced for different policy areas. Cllr Gurcharan Sidhu is new lead member for bus matters, Cllr Les Kyles is new lead member for capital programme and Local Transport Plan, Cllr Len Clark takes over as lead member of resources and business plan, Cllr Angus Adams is new lead member for district liaison and Cllr Kath Hartley is new lead member for performance and review.