Green councillor to join Dorset Council Lib Dem cabinet

A Green councillor from Weymouth is to join Dorset Council's new Liberal Democrat cabinet.

Local elections on 3 May saw the Lib Dems take control of the previously Conservative-led authority.

Rodwell and Wyke Green councillor Clare Sutton will take up the children's services, education and skills role.

The new administration is also abolishing "lead councillor" roles to save money. Council leader Nick Ireland said the positions were "unnecessary".

Lead councillors were introduced in 2020 by the Conservative administration to act as deputies to the main portfolio holders, according the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The now-discontinued posts initially attracted an additional £10,000 a year allowance for a small number of councillors, which has since risen to £10,454.

Dorset's councillors receive a basic allowance of £14,689.

Those with other responsibilities receive additional allowances such as £36,591 for the leader of the council, £23,000 a year for cabinet members, and between £5,227 and £10,454 a year for committee chairs.

The first meeting of the new council is due to take place at County Hall on Thursday where the cabinet positions will be confirmed.

Council leader Nick Ireland said the move to bring a Green councillor into the cabinet demonstrated his party's commitment to cross-party working.

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