SOMERSET NEWS: Changing times at County Hall

A NEW chairman, greater scrutiny for children’s services and new cabinet member responsibilities were set out at Somerset County Council this week.

Council leader, Cllr John Osman, formally announced the creation of a new Scrutiny Committee - Scrutiny for Policies, Children and Families.

It will be chaired by Cllr Leigh Redman and will provide dedicated oversight and challenge for improvement work in children’s services which have been severely criticised in recent months.

PHOTO - TOP: New Somerset County Council chairman Cllr Christine Lawrence.

A new post for Corporate Improvement was also confirmed at the full council meeting on Wednesday (May 13, 2015) and will be held by Cllr Christopher Le Hardy. This role will take responsibility for improvement work across the authority, with an initial focus on children’s services and adult social care.

The meeting also saw the election of a new chairman of the county council when Cllr David Fothergill stepped down after two years in post. He will take on cabinet responsibility for highways with Cllr Harvey Siggs moving to the resources brief.

During his time as chairman, Cllr Fothergill raised £38,000 for his chosen charities – National Autistic Society and Somerset Trust for Arts and Recreation (STAR). He used the meeting to give thanks to everyone who has helped with fund-raising and received glowing cross-party appreciation for his work as chairman.

Cllr Fothergill said: “I was always keen to use the privilege of chairmanship to help others far less fortunate than myself. In some small way I hope I have left a legacy to that end.”

Cllr Christine Lawrence, county councillor for Dunster, was elected to be the council’s new chairman.

“I’m greatly honoured and will do my upmost to continue the excellent work of the past two years,” she said. “I am totally committed to celebrating the good works and achievements of Somerset.”

In formally nominating Cllr Lawrence for the role of chairman, Cllr John Osman said: “I know that she will be a wonderful chairman. She is thorough, fair and approachable and will always put the county and its residents first.”

PHOTO - RIGHT: Council leader, Cllr John Osman, has said the new chairman will be "wonderful."

Mendip West county councillor, Graham Noel, was elected as vice chairman.

To reflect the new children’s scrutiny committee, the council meeting also saw the people’s scrutiny committee retitled to become the scrutiny for policies, adults and health committee.

Cllr Ann Bown was also made chairman of the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board, a position previously held by Cllr Lawrence.

The Somerset County Council cabinet now looks like this: Leader of council and cabinet member for customers and communities – Cllr John Osman; corporate improvement – Cllr Christopher Le Hardy (new post); highways – Cllr David Fothergill; resources – Cllr Harvey Siggs; human resources, health and transformation – Cllr Anna Groskop; economic development – Cllr David Hall; children and families – Cllr Frances Nicholson; adult social care – Cllr William Wallace.

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