Shepway Council Abandon Environment Cabinet Portfolio with Immediate Effect

In a surprise move announced by an email from Council Leader Robert Bliss today, Shepway has ended the Environmental Services portfolio with immediate effect. The position will be lost from Cabinet (reducing the Cabinet from 10 to 9 members) with the portfolios responsibilities split between existing Cabinet members.

The email from Robert Bliss said:

"As of midday today the Environmental Services portfolio has been discontinued and its functions split between other Cabinet Members. Cllr Alan North will step down from the Cabinet, but will retain the role of Lead Member on Recycling and Waste.

"Cllr David Monk is to add Parks and Open Spaces to his portfolio and will relinquish Property Maintenance, Asset Management and Commercial Property which are added to my portfolio.

"Recycling, Waste, Street Cleansing, Toilets and Beach Management have been transferred to Cllr Rory Love.

"These changes come at a crucial time for these service areas. There will be key decisions to take regarding the future of the open spaces in Folkestone and I feel that David is the right person to drive this project to conclusion. Recycling, Waste and Street Cleansing are being packaged into a new contract arrangement with Dover and I feel that Rory's knowledge will be vital in delivering a good deal for Shepway.

"Alan has done a solid job in moving these services forward and has overseen the successful return of services from KCC.

"Additionally, Cllr Anthony Dunning's responsibilities as Lead Member will cease."

Lib Dem Shepway Councillor Tim Prater commented:

"I don't understand why this move has been announced only after the portfolio has been discontinued. Conservative Council Leader Robert Bliss seems to believe in Mushroom Management for Councillors and Staff - keep them in the dark for as long as possible."

"Although a cut in the number of people on the cabinet is welcome there are serious questions as to why this move has been made in this way. Rory Love now seems to be Cabinet Member for Revenue and Benefits, Recycling, Waste, Street Cleansing, Toilets and Beach Management - hardly a coherent portfolio. There seems to be a back story here that Councillors, staff and the public are not being told, let alone consulted on."