BOURNEMOUTH is in the unprecedented position of having no deputy mayor following the latest cabinet reshuffle.

The town’s deputy mayor Cllr Barry Goldbart has resigned the ceremonial post in order to join the cabinet as education portfolio holder – replacing the recently sacked Cllr Nicola Greene.

His decision has angered other councillors who feel it is insult to the mayoral office. One told the Echo: “It’s a slur that shows a singular lack of respect.”

And Independent Cllr Anne Rey, pictured below, said: “It’s the first time this has ever been known in Bournemouth. The only time somebody would give up their position is if they are very ill or if they die.

“When you are voted in as deputy mayor you are in for the year. The role of deputy mayor should have come first. That should have been the priority.”

Current mayor Cllr Chris Rochester described it as “unfortunate” and said he was “very disappointed”. He said: “I don’t think it’s anything I would have contemplated doing but that’s not to say whether it’s right or wrong.”

But Conservative Cllr Goldbart, who represents Westbourne and West Cliff, said: “If you resigned as mayor yes, that would be construed as a very strange thing to do but I don’t think the deputy mayorship is quite the same at all.

“I would have liked to have been able to do both but it’s not allowed under our constitution. We didn’t realise that until after it had been announced that I would be joining the cabinet so I had to resign.”

Head of democratic services David Harrison said: “This has never happened before to my knowledge so we are in uncharted territory.”

He said councillors would decide on Cllr Goldbart’s replacement at the next meeting of full council on Tuesday, January 17.