BOROUGH of Poole leader Cllr Elaine Atkinson has announced a cabinet reshuffle that brings an end to the portfolio position held by recently-sacked councillor Judy Butt.

Cllr Butt was dismissed from her cabinet post, last month, after she opposed controversial proposals for a temporary traveller site in her Creekmoor ward.

She had been cabinet portfolio holder for public engagement, but rather than appointing a new councillor to the position, Cllr Atkinson has effectively scrapped the post.

Now all portfolio holders will be responsible for public engagement and consultation in their portfolio areas, says the council.

Other movement on the cabinet sees Cllr Xena Dion lose responsibility for transport.

Last year opposition councillors called for Cllr Dion’s sacking after she make “flippant” remarks about Poole’s £21.6m Twin Sails Bridge during a council meeting

The bridge was being dogged by a string of technical problems, and Cllr Dion quipped: “If I had bought this bridge I think I would have taken it back by now.”

She later apologised, insisting it was a flippant remark made out of “frustration” at the continuing issues affecting the bridge.

However, Cllr Dion does retain the prosperous and sustainable Poole portfolio, which includes responsibility for environment and consumer protection, local economy and tourism. This role has also been broadened to include culture and community learning, open spaces and leisure services.

Cllr Ian Potter steps into the cabinet as portfolio holder for transportation, carbon management and regulatory services.

  • Cllr Potter said: “I’m pleased to be joining cabinet and look forward to working with officers on some key projects, including Three Towns Travel.

“Carbon reduction is a priority for the council and I hope we can continue to build on the good work officers across the council have done and continue to do.”

  • Cllr Dion said: “With so much of Poole’s economy based around our tourism, leisure and cultural offerings, I’m pleased to see my portfolio changed to embrace this.

“I very much look forward to working with officers within culture and community learning and bringing a more joined up approach to services within the portfolio.”