The new leader of Somerset County Council has promised to put in place a unitary authority that will “look after all and listen to all of our residents”.
County Council met at Canalside in Bridgwater on Wednesday morning (May 25) for the first time since the Liberal Democrats swept to power in local elections earlier in the month. Newly elected council leader Bill Revans has announced his ten-person executive, citing Somerset’s Anglo-Saxon past and promising to lead the county through the transition to the new unitary Somerset Council over the next 11 months.
In an impassioned speech, he also pledged to tackle the cost of living crisis, climate change and to make urgent improvements to the county’s road network and vulnerable children in the care of the authority. Here’s what you need to know:
What did the new boss say? Councilor Bill Revans, leader of Somerset County Council’s Lib Dem group (Image: Somerset Liberal Democrats)
Mr Revans – who represents the North Petherton Division – began his speech by referring to Alfred the Great, who sought refuge at Athelney on the Somerset Levels in 878 from a Viking invasion. He said: “England started here on a little island called Athelney, on the border of my division and that of David Fothergill. [the former Conservative leader].
“In a much, much smaller way, we will make history this year. The first priority of this administration and this entire council is to ‘unite.’
“I’m not sure the term ‘ready-to-cook pairing’ is really appropriate, but we have a recipe and some ingredients we can work with.” Mr Revans pledged to devolve power to towns and parishes as part of the move to unitary, saying he wanted to ‘give residents a real role in shaping how the new council will work’.
READ MORE: Video shows abandoned Yeovil ski slope 14 years after it closed
He added: “It is crucial that we give local people the confidence that this very high council will not be aloof and insensitive. Many of us on this side of the chamber have had a different view. on the future of local government to that of the Secretary of State.
“However, he has made up his mind and we will take over and do the job to the best of our abilities. I am determined that within the limits set by the government, this administration will strain every part of what a unitary council can do to support our vision of a fairer Somerset, a greener Somerset, a more flourishing Somerset.
A Somerset that cares for all and listens to all its people.”
Who is in the executive? Liz Leyshon
Mr. Revans leads a new executive of ten members – each member having an assistant member to reflect the workload associated with the transition to the new unit. In addition to leading the board, Mr. Revans will assume responsibility for governance and communications – assisted by councilor Derek Perry (Rowbarton and Staplegrove), whom Mr. Revans described as “a superb communicator [who] brings an enormous amount of wisdom and insight from the legal profession.”
Councilor Liz Leyshon (Street) will act as deputy chief and will be in charge of the finance and human resources portfolio, assisted by Councilor Peter Seib (Brympton) – a pairing Mr Revans said ‘has a keen eye for detail and will help us run a cautious council.” Former Wells MP Tessa Munt will lead children’s services, providing what Mr Revans called “shrewd and influential leadership” as the council seeks to improve its Ofsted rating.
She will be assisted by Councilor Caroline Ellis (Bishop’s Hull and Taunton West), who Mr Revans described as “a passionate advocate for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities”. Councilor Heather Shearer (Mendip West) – who unsuccessfully presented herself to Somerset Police and Crime last year – will be in charge of adult social care, providing ‘a firm and compassionate hand’ to tackle the challenges that accompany the aging of the county’s population.
READ MORE: Roundabout near M5 could be scrapped as part of new A358 looping plans
She will be assisted by adviser Mike Stanton – who ousted Conservative cabinet member Clare Paul in the election as one of two successful candidates in the Curry Rivel and Langport division. The county’s many transport issues – including the proposed A358 dual carriageway – will be the responsibility of Councilor Mike Rigby (Lydeard), who will also be responsible for digital infrastructure, including broadband.
He will be assisted by Councilor Mike Hewitson (Coker), who Mr Revans said was “enthusiastic about making sure our communities are better connected”. Councilor Adam Dance (South Petherton and Islemoor – and the youngest member of the executive) will be in charge of public health, equalities and diversity, assisted by Councilor Ross Henley (Blackdown and Neroche).
All three leaders of Lib Dem-controlled district councils in Somerset have been given leadership positions – with Mendip leader Ros Wyke (Mendip West) heading development and assets, Somerset West and Taunton leader Federica Smith -Roberts (Taunton East) taking on communities, and South Somerset leader Val Keitch (who narrowly defended her seat in Ilminster) being put in charge of local government revamp and ‘prosperity’ (that is- i.e. economic development and foreign investment).
Mendip District Council leader Ros Wyke at the derelict Saxonvale site in Frome (Image: Daniel Mumby)
They will be assisted by Councilor Sarah Wakefield (Blackdown and Neroche), Councilor Nicola Clark (Blackmoor Vale) and Councilor Dave Woan (Yeovil Central) respectively. Finally, environment and climate change will be the responsibility of Councilor Sarah Dake (Blackmoor Vale) – who was recently chosen as the Lib Dems’ candidate in the event of a by-election in the Somerton and Frome constituency – and her assistant , Councilor Dixie Darch (Rowbarton and Staplegrove).
As well as leading the executive, the Lib Dems are also ceremonial president and vice-president of the council – Councilor Mike Best (Crewkerne) and Councilor Hazel Prior-Sankey (Taunton South) being respectively elected unopposed.
What happens now? Councilor Federica Smith-Roberts, Leader of Somerset West and Taunton Council (Image: Daniel Mumby)
The new executive will be responsible for all county council services and will oversee the local government reorganization program to establish the new single unitary council, which will officially take over on April 1, 2023. After that date, they will be responsible for all services currently provided by county and four district councils, ranging from social care for adults and children to highways and housing, and from libraries to planning and licensing.
Mr Revans concluded: “In just ten months this council will become Somerset’s first unitary council. It is a single council, providing all the services currently run by county and district councils. It’s a new future for Somerset.
“It’s a historic moment – maybe not on par with King Alfred in the ninth century, but we’ll do everything we can to make it great.”
Read more related articles Read more related articles
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-25 15:33:09
