A councillor has quit Westmorland & Furness’ ruling cabinet – leading to two new members joining.
At a meeting of the full council today, deputy leader Andrew Jarvis said that two new people will join the ruling cabinet – Helen Chaffey and John Murray.
It is as a result of the resignation of Neil Hughes, who was responsible for transport and regulatory services. The Liberal Democrat will remain as a councillor for Eamont and Shap.
The authority gave no reason for his resignation from the cabinet.
Councillor Jarvis thanked Councillor Hughes for his tireless work during his time in the cabinet and in particular his work advocating for public transport.
Councillor Chaffey will be responsible for Customer Services, Organisational Culture and Communications, while Councillor Murray will be responsible for Transport and Regulatory Services
Councillor Chaffey, who is a councillor for the Kent Estuary ward, will oversee the council’s work around customer services, human resources and organisational development, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, refugees and asylum seekers and communications.
Councillor Murray, who represents Kirkby Stephen and Tebay, will be responsible for transport, including buses, cycling, active travel, public rights of way and countryside access, as well as environmental health, food hygiene, public protection, trading standards, licensing, registrars, coroners and bereavement services.
Other minor changes to cabinet responsibilities announced at today’s meeting are:
- Councillor Jarvis will now have responsibility for council assets included as part of his responsibilities as deputy leader and cabinet member for finance
- Councillor Giles Archibald will now have responsibility for street scene services as part of his portfolio for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services
All other Cabinet members and their responsibilities are as follows:
- Councillor Jonathan Brook – Council leader and Economy
- Councillor Patricia Bell – Adult Care
- Councillor Janet Battye – Children’s Services, Education and Skills
- Councillor Virginia Taylor – Sustainable Communities and Localities
- Councillor Peter Thornton – Highways and ICT
- Councillor Judith Derbyshire – Housing and Community Safety
