Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Terry Chivers calls it a day on the Lib Dem dominated Cabinet.
The Leader of WWDC has said that she thanks Cllr. Chivers for all his hard work as portfolio holder, but understands his reasons for resigning.

Changes to the Cabinet, with immediate effect, are that Cllr. Cox (Deputy Leader) will take on the Portfolio for Leisure (including Arts), whilst Cllr. Hames will have the Portfolio for Policy and Community (including Community Safety). Cllr. Brown will take on Environmental Health (this will bring all of Environmental services into one Portfolio) and, we are assured, Cllr. Brown is already aware of many of the issues surrounding Environmental Health.

Until the change of administration earlier this year, the Leisure, Community & Arts Portfolio was my responsibility and so I have every sympathy for Cllr. Chivers. I am well aware of the amount of time needed to oversee this particular arm of WWDC, but I must admit to being dis-appointed that yet another pair of hands will be taking the reins after only seven months.

For the sake of stability, let us all hope that no more members of the Cabinet are suffering from 'ill health and work commitments'.

Also, am I being just a tad cynical at the timing of this? Just before the Christmas / New Year break and probably too late to make The Wiltshire Times!! If this news was from Westminster I'm sure that the major parties would claim that the announcement was being 'buried' in the holiday hub-bub. Surely such a thing wouldn't occur at Bradley Road, would it?