From left, Ros Wyke, Adam Dance and Dixie Darch are all stepping back form their lead roles at Somerset Council

New-look leadership at Somerset Council aims to save £36,000 at cash-strapped authority

Paul JonesAugust 21, 20240 Comment0

THE top table at Somerset Council is losing a chair, amid changes aimed at saving £36,000.

The authority – which has been battling bankruptcy for months as it looks to tackle a £100 million funding deficit – has announced it is reducing the number of its lead, shadow and associate member roles.

Made up of ‘lead’ councillors for a range of departments – the Executive will be reduced from eight members to seven.

The number of associate lead members will be reduced from 10 positions to six, while there will be one less opposition spokesperson.

Savings breakdown is as follows, the council said:
1 x lead member = £20,500
1 x opposition spokesperson = £3,875
4 x associate lead members = £ 11,625

They will take effect from September 1 after being agreed by the full council at its budget meeting in February.

The changes come as a number of high-profile councillors announced they are moving on for personal and private reasons, resulting in a reshuffle of the Executive, with some portfolios also being merged.

Cllr Adam Dance has stepped down as lead member for public health, equalities and diversity following his election as MP for Yeovil. Executive stalwarts, Cllr Ros Wyke and Cllr Dixie Darch, have stepped down for personal and private reasons.

And Cllr Tom Deakin will now focus on his role as leader of Taunton Town Council.

Cllr Bill Revans, Somerset Council leader, said: “As part of the Financial Emergency we are looking to make savings in all parts of the council’s work.

“Adam, Tom, Ros and Dixie have been such valuable members of the Executive Team and I thank them wholeheartedly for all that they have contributed to their areas of focus over their time in these roles.

“We are fortunate to welcome highly experienced Councillors Mike Rigby and Graham Oakes onto the Executive during the coming year.”

The new-look Somerset Council Executive is now made up of the following:

Leader: Cllr Bill Revans – Governance and Communication
Deputy Leader: Cllr Liz Leyshon – Finance, Procurement and Performance

Seven Lead Members
Cllr Sarah Wakefield – Adults Services, Housing and Homelessness
Cllr Heather Shearer – Children, Family and Education
Cllr Mike Rigby – Economic Development, Planning and Assets
Cllr Theo Butt Philip – Transformation, Human Resources, Localities and Digital
Cllr Richard Wilkins – Transport and Waste Services
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts – Communities, HRA, Culture, Equalities and Diversity
Cllr Graham Oakes – Public Health, Climate Change and Environment

Six Associate Lead Members
Cllr Fran Smith – Associate Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Housing
Cllr Jo Roundell-Greene – Associate Lead Member for Children’s Services and Education Strategy
Cllr Nic Clark – Associate Lead Member for Culture and Leisure
Cllr Val Keitch – Associate Lead Member for Localities (LCNs) and Public Health
Cllr Dave Woan – Associate Lead Member for Business Strategy
Cllr Oliver Patrick – Associate Lead Member for Climate Change and Active Travel

The reshuffle comes amid a raft of moves by the authority to save money in a bid to stave off issuing a Section 114 notice – effectively declaring the council bankrupt – amid the funding crisis.

It recent months, the council has announced it intends to cut around 1,000 jobs, as well as putting a host of properties up for sale, including the likes of the Cornhill in Bridgwater and Taunton’s Market House.