OPPOSITION councillors at Borough of Poole expressed their surprise that two long-standing committee chairs had been removed by the ruling Tory group.

Cllr Judy Butt and Cllr Peter Pawlowski have both been axed as chairmen of the licensing and planning committee, respectively.

Conservative Cllr Butt had been chairman of the licensing committee for the last six years.

Speaking at a full council meeting on Wednesday night Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr David Brown spoke of his disappointment to learn she would no longer be serving on the committee, even as a member.

He said: "I was really surprised and sad to see that Judy Butt was no longer going to be chairman or a member of the licensing committee.

"For many years I have served on the committee with her and have always felt that she understood the brief and that job.

"It's a position in which you need to have confidence - especially when in some cases you have to go before magistrates court to defend your decision which Judy did on a number of occasions.

"It's a great shame to have lost that experience and confidence I had in her now that she is no longer on the committee."

No other councillors commented on the matter.

Prior to the meeting it had been announced that Cllr Graham Wilson would become the new licensing committee chairman. He was nominated by his Conservative colleagues and was elected as the new chairman, despite opposition councillors nominating former mayor Cllr Xena Dion for the role.

Cllr Emma Williams was elected as vice-chair but this was also contested by the opposition who put forward Conservative councillor Louise Russell.

During the meeting Cllr Phil Eades said he was "extremely surprised" to see Cllr Peter Pawlowski had been removed as chairman of the planning committee - a position he has held for the last two years.

He also asked council leader Janet Walton to explain why Cllr Pawlowski was no longer even noted as one of the "substitutes" for the committee despite his experience.

Cllr Walton said his name had "obviously" been missed off the list, as had her own, and it would be amended.

Cllr Andy Garner-Watts was elected as the new chairman - although opposition councillors nominated Cllr Ron Parker for the role, which he declined. Cllr Parker was elected as vice-chairman unopposed.

There was no discussion on changes to cabinet positions at the meeting.

Cllr Ann Stribley, who was chairing the meeting, told members the item was for "information only".

As previously reported in the Echo Cllr Drew Mellor, who was the portfolio holder for or transportation, commercialisation and public health. has stepped down from the cabinet

Meanwhile, Cllr John Challinor has been brought on as the eighth member of the cabinet.

His portfolio will cover operational support, public health, corporate estates, strategic commercialisation and communications.