EVESHAM councillor Emma Stokes has been appointed to Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet as the new environment chief.
Elsewhere, Coun Marc Bayliss has been announced as the County’s new Transport chief, replacing Redditch’s Coun Mike Rouse, who has stepped back for ‘personal reasons.’
Other changes announced by Worcestershire County Council leader Coun Simon Geraghty saw Coun Richard Morris replace Coun Adrian Hardman as the cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care.
Coun Geraghty said Coun Hardman had stepped down to concentrate on his health and recovery.
Coun Tracey Onslow has stepped back from her position as Education lead to become the Conservative Group’s nomination for County Council Chairman.
Coun David Chambers will step in as Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education.
Coun David Ross (Health and Wellbeing) is the other new member of the cabinet.
Most other areas of responsibility have also changed in the reshuffle.
Councillor Geraghty said: “I have today made changes to my Cabinet team to support me, and the wider Council, to deliver on the ambitious agenda we have to improve the Council and the County of Worcestershire.
“The refreshed Cabinet will enable a renewed focus on our priorities and promises laid out in our Corporate Plan: Shaping Worcestershire’s Future, with an opportunity to inject some new ideas, whilst ensuring we have the right blend of skills and experience from across the county within the team.
“Here in Worcestershire, we have a One Cabinet, One Worcestershire approach.
“This means that whilst each portfolio has a lead that becomes an expert in that area, big decisions about the future of the Council, within any portfolio, are made collectively as a Cabinet.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Adrian Hardman for his long-standing service to Cabinet, Coun Tracy Onslow and Coun Mike Rouse.
“Their significant contributions to the Cabinet and commitment to their portfolios have enabled many key projects and improvements to be delivered across the County, for which I am very grateful.
“I am pleased to welcome Emma Stokes, David Chambers and David Ross to the Cabinet and look forward to working closely with them as part of the wider Cabinet team to deliver on things that matter the most to our residents and businesses.
“Marcus Hart will remain as the Deputy Leader and I look forward to continuing to work with him in this key position in my leadership team.”
