Somerset Council, which has declared a ‘financial emergency’, is cutting several senior member roles to save £36,000.
Most of the saving, £20,500, will come from axing one lead member role, leaving the council’s executive with seven lead members.
The corresponding opposition spokesperson role will also be cut, saving £3,875, and the number of associate lead members will be reduced from 10 to six, cutting the council’s costs by £11,625.
The current lead member for public health, equalities and diversity, Adam Dance, has stepped down following his election as Yeovil’s MP and the responsibilities have been added to other roles.
Two other councillors, Ros Wyke and Dixie Darch, have stepped down for ‘personal and private reasons’, while Tom Deaken is set to ‘focus on his role’ as leader of Taunton Town Council.
Somerset Council leader Bill Revans said: ‘As part of the financial emergency we are looking to make savings in all parts of the council’s work.
‘Adam, Tom, Ros and Dixie have been such valuable members of the executive team and I thank them wholeheartedly for all that they have contributed to their areas of focus over their time in these roles.’
The changes, agreed at the council’s budget meeting in February, will take effect from 1 September.
