At the end of last year two of Somerset Council’s Executive stood down. Mike Rigby, Lead Member for Transport & Digital resigned as did Tessa Munt, Lead Member for Children Families and Education. Both remain as councillors for Bishops Lydeard and Wells respectively.

Cllr Munt is the LibDem candidate for the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency at the next General Election. She has resigned to focus on her campaign to win back the seat which she lost to Conservative James Heappey in 2015.

Mike Rigby’s replacement will be Cllr Richard Wilkins who represents Curry Rivel and Langport. He takes on Transport & Digital effective 1 January 2024. As well as his new Executive post, Cllr Wilkins sits on the Connecting Devon & Somerset board, Hinkley C Programme Management Board, Parrett Drainage Board, Langport Abattoir Liaison Group and 8 other outside boards.

Replacing Cllr Munt as Lead Member for Children, Families and Education will be Cllr Helen Shearer. Cllr Shearer represents Mendip West along with Cllr Ros Wyke and also started the new role on 1 January 2024. As well as her new portfolio she sits on Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Panel, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, Corporate Parenting Board and seven other outside bodies.