THE leader of Somerset Council has announced a reshuffle of his executive as part of ongoing cost-cutting measures at the authority.

Councillor Bill Revans has led the council since the Liberal Democrats won the local elections in May 2022, with the new council originally having an executive of eight portfolio holders and ten associate portfolio holders.

Mr Revans announced on Tuesday, August 20, that he would be reshuffling his executive and reducing the number of portfolio holders, saving £36,000 a year. The new executive will meet on September 2.

All executive members and associate portfolio holders can claim an additional allowance on top of their basic annual allowance of £15,500, in reflection of the amount of time their council duties take up alongside any paid work or other activities.

The new executive will have one fewer portfolio holder (saving £20,500) and four fewer associate portfolio holders (saving £11,625).

There will also be one fewer opposition spokesperson as a result of these changes, saving £3,875 – bringing annual savings to £36,000.

Three of the existing executive are stepping down from their duties, with Councillor Adam Dance (South Petherton and Islemoor) dropping his public health, equalities and diversity brief following his election as MP for Yeovil in early-July.

Councillor Dixie Darch (Rowbarton and Staplegrove) and Councillor Ros Wyke (Mendip West) will be stepping back for “personal and private reasons”, giving up the portfolios for the environment and climate change and economic development, planning and assets respectively.

Councillor Tom Deakin (Taunton North) will be stepping back from his role as associate portfolio holder for performance and communication, in order to concentrate on his responsibilities as leader of Taunton Town Council.

Mr Rigby (Lydeard) previously served as portfolio holder for transport and digital in the first year of the new council, while Mr Oakes (Yeovil East) currently serves as the chairman of Yeovil Town Council.

The new executive from September 1:

  • Councillor Bill Revans (North Petherton) – leader, governance and communication
  • Councillor Liz Leyshon (Street) – deputy leader, finance, procurement and performance
  • Councillor Sarah Wakefield (Blackdown and Neroche) – adults’ services, housing and homelessness
  • Councillor Heather Shearer (Mendip West) – children, family and education
  • Councillor Mike Rigby (Lydeard) – economic development, planning and assets
  • Councillor Theo Butt Philip (Wells) – transformation, human resources, localities and digital
  • Councillor Richard Wilkins (Curry Rivel and Langport) – transport and waste services
  • Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts (Taunton East) – communities, culture, equalities and diversity
  • Councillor Graham Oakes  (Yeovil East) – public health, climate change and environment

Mr Revans remains the only executive member from the former Sedgemoor area, compared to the three from the former Mendip district, three from the former Somerset West and Taunton area and two from the former South Somerset district.

The associate portfolio holders are:

  • Councillor Fran Smith (Taunton South) – adult social care and housing
  • Councillor Jo Roundell-Greene (South Petherton and Islemoor) – children’s services and education strategy
  • Councillor Nicola Clark (Blackmoor Vale) – culture and leisure
  • Councillor Val Keitch (Ilminster) – localities and public health
  • Councillor Dave Woan (Yeovil Central) – business strategy
  • Councillor Oliver Patrick (Coker) – climate change and active travel