The leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr John Weighell, announced an Executive reshuffle at the council’s annual general meeting today.
Cllr Weighell said that as the Conservative-led county council had now reached the mid-term of its office it was an ideal opportunity to take stock and give members the chance of taking up a fresh portfolio.
He also paid tribute to Cllr Caroline Patmore who has been the lead Executive Member for Children’s Services for the last nine years and who is retiring from the post.
Councillor Weighell added that as the county council would be taking on health responsibilities under the Government’s forthcoming health and social care legislation he may create an additional Executive post for health in the future, possibly before the county council’s next annual general meeting.
He said:” We are mid-term through a very tough period of office when we are having to make decisions which ensure we continue to deliver outstanding services while making necessary savings. This seemed like the ideal time to give members the opportunity to take on fresh responsibilities.”
Cllr Carl Les, whose portfolio was corporate services, finance and performance management and procurement, has been made deputy leader of the council and also takes on Cllr Patmore’s responsibilities for children’s services. He replaces Cllr John Watson as deputy, who will now be responsible for financial services, assets, IT and procurement..
From today the county council’s Executive membership is as follows:
John Weighell – Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Executive. Responsible for budget and external organisations
Carl Les – Deputy leader of the council and lead executive member for children’s services (Children’s Act 2004) special educational needs, youth justice and chief executive group services
Clare Wood – Adult social care, extra care housing, telecare, reablement
Arthur Barker – Schools, 16-19 year old education, early years provision and youth service
Chris Metcalfe – Rural services, waste disposal, public passenger transport, trading standards, economic development and library services
Gareth Dadd – Highways and planning services
John Watson OBE – Financial services including assets, IT and procurement
