Cllr Pugh: Cabinet changes announced

The rumours of changes in the council Cabinet have been floating around for a while. Now they’re confirmed. David Pugh has just released the following – Ed.

Below is a statement from Cllr David Pugh, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, regarding proposed changes to Cabinet Member responsibilities:

I have today published a notice of intended decision, setting out proposed revisions to the membership of the IW Council’s Cabinet. As the paper sets out, I am proposing to implement this decision on a staged basis – with two changes being effective from 3rd September and 26th November respectively.

Two phases
Such a staged approach would strike a balance between continuity and handover at a time when the local authority continues to face major budgetary challenges. I wish to draw on the experience and knowledge which other elected members offer – both at a Cabinet level and in leading the various scrutiny and regulatory functions of the Council.

Cllr Barry Abraham out
Cllr Barry Abraham is due to leave the Cabinet on 3rd September, after seven years in the team. Without doubt his most significant role was to provide political leadership to the Fire Service at a time when it transformed from being one of the worst in the country to winning awards for its progress and performance.

As an Islander, Barry spoke with confidence when putting the case for the service being kept within our shores. I am sorry to see Barry go and thank him for his service as a Cabinet Member.

Cllr Dave Stewart in
Cllr Dave Stewart is set to join the Cabinet on 3rd September with responsibility for Public Health, Community Safety and Local Services (including libraries, youth and heritage). This complements his new role as Chairman of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police & Crime Panel. Dave’s background as a former detective inspector with 30 years experience in the police force, along with his work in the community with library and youth services, means that he is well suited to take on this area of Cabinet responsibility.

His responsibility for public health is particularly important with this service scheduled to transfer from IOW NHS to the Council on 1st April 2013.

Cllr Roger Mazillius leaving. Stuart Hutchinson in
Cllr Roger Mazillius is due to continue in the Cabinet until 26th November, with responsibility for Adult Social Care and Housing, when he is set to be succeeded by Cllr Stuart Hutchinson (the member for West Wight).

Although Stuart only joined the Council last November, he has extensive experience in local government as an officer working at all levels.

His career includes working in management in social services, including the running of care homes, and more latterly in the leadership team for managing the property estate for West Sussex County Council. His contribution to the Cabinet will be most welcome. Cllr Hutchinson’s replacement as Audit Committee Chairman will be decided at Full Council in November.

Thanking Cllr Mazillius
I would also like to thank Cllr Mazillius for his contribution as a Cabinet Member over the past two years, which has been a particularly challenging time for his service areas as they have faced severe budgetary and demographic pressures. Under his political direction, the investment in adult social care has continued to increase annually.

Roger’s strong support for personal budgets and our charging policy have ensured that services have been tailored to clients and we have also been able to support those who need our support the most.

Housing services have continued to see a fall in homelessness figures, bucking much of the national trend. Roger’s support for the early preventative work in this service area has helped deliver this success. I will be sorry to see Roger leave the Cabinet and thank him for his contribution.

Image: ronmacphotos under a CC BY 2.0 license