BCP Council leader announces another reshuffe of cabinet

Independent Creekmoor councillor Judes Butt is now lead member solely dedicated to engagement.

Parkstone councillor Steve Baron, who is now also an Independent, will continue as lead member for Poole regeneration.

However, Canford Cliffs councillor Mohan Iyengar will no longer be cabinet member for tourism and active health following his decision to leave the Conservatives.

• Read more: Conservative trust 'broken' as four councillors resign

The responsibilities in Cllr Iyengar's portfolio will be taken on by existing Conservative cabinet members Cllr Beverly Dunlop and Cllr Jane Kelly, whose new roles will have respective titles of tourism, culture and vibrant places, and communities, health and leisure.

Cllr Beverly Dunlop, left, and Cllr Jane Kelly

A statement from BCP Council leader Cllr Drew Mellor said the changes “will give added focus to the priorities” of the local authority.

Cllr Mellor said the “ambitious” cabinet includes non-Conservative members to “embed cross party working”.

“This demonstrates our commitment that we will work with any Councillors who share our vision to deliver for all of the residents of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, regardless of Party affiliation,” Cllr Mellor said.

• Read more: BCP Council extraordinary meeting after Tory resignations

He said Cllr Butt’ role will focus on continuing all residents are “at the heart of our plans going forward”.

Cllr Judes Butt

The Conservative leader said Cllr Butt was “uniquely qualified” for the position having been cabinet member for community engagement on Borough of Poole from 2011 to 2015.

On Cllr Iyengar’s departure from cabinet, Cllr Mellor said: “Special thanks in particular goes to councillor Mohan Iyengar, who in his work looking after tourism has excelled at propelling our offering to an international standard.

Cllr Mohan Iyengar (Image: BCP Council)

“Mohan has been instrumental in getting us where we are today and I personally thank him for his support and highly effective delivery as a cabinet member.”

As reported, four Poole Conservative councillors resigned from the party and became Independents after they were rejected from selection as Tory candidates ahead of the local elections next year.

• Read more: Four Conservative councillors resign from group

The changes announced by Cllr Mellor mean the Conservative administration has a core cabinet team of 10 councillors, with six ‘cabinet+’ lead members, meaning there are 16 councillors in senior positions from the overall pool of 76 local authority councillors.

Cllr Drew Mellor (Image: BCP Council)

Cllr Mellor said: “I’m highly confident that with these refined roles and new focus, we have the right team, talent and time to put our Big Plan into action and make Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole one of the best places in the country to live, work and invest.”