Council Leader announces Cabinet changes

The Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor Marcus Hart, earlier today (Monday 27 February) informed Councillors of changes that he is making to membership and portfolios within his Cabinet.

Councillor Sara Fearn has stood down from the Cabinet and resigned from the Council as a result of her forthcoming relocation to Devon. She had served as Cabinet Member for Transformation and Change since May 2015.

Councillor Hart said “I am very sorry to lose Sara Fearn’s services from my Cabinet and also to see her contribution as a District and Town Councillor in Stourport-on-Severn come to an end. She has provided effective leadership for her portfolio and brought fresh perspectives to the work of the Cabinet, but I understand entirely her decision to stand down given her impending relocation to the South West. I know that colleagues on the Council will join me in wishing her well for the future.”  

Sara Fearn said

"It has been an honour to represent the people of Stourport-on-Severn and I am sad to have to step down. Whilst a member of WFDC I have been greatly impressed by my fellow councillors, who all work long and hard for the people in their wards. I also cannot speak highly enough of the staff and officers of the council, whose commitment, experience and ability make the many services we provide possible. I have been proud to work with people whose integrity and talent provide strong, consistent and often innovative leadership to Wyre Forest District Council."

Councillor Chris Rogers joins the Cabinet and has been appointed as Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Well-being. He was Chairman of the Council in 2015/16 and is Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee. He will continue in the latter role for the remainder of the municipal year, and the Council will appoint a new Vice-Chairman for the Planning Committee at its meeting in May.

Councillor Hart said “I was pleased to invite Chris Rogers to join the Cabinet. He is an experienced councillor, having filled a number of senior roles, and I look forward to his contribution in the Cabinet. I have taken the opportunity to align the portfolios of Cabinet members more closely with the management structure and also to reflect the heightened importance of housing, following the Government’s Housing White Paper.”

The vacancy on the District Council created by the resignation of Councillor Fearn has been advertised by the returning officer and it is expected that a by-election will be held on Thursday 4 May. The vacancy on Stourport-on-Severn Town Council will also be advertised.

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 14 March 2017 and will be open to the public. The meeting will also be webcast and can be viewed at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk

Cabinet portfolios, February 2017