Two Somerset Council Lead Members, Tessa Munt and Mike Rigby, are stepping down from the Executive at the end of the year.

Council Leader Bill Revans will use the opportunity to review the membership of Executive to help reduce costs as the council responds to the financial emergency.

In her letter of resignation as Executive Lead for Children, Families and Education, Cllr Munt wrote:

I have enjoyed my work over the last 18 months, learning so much and striving to improve the lives of Somerset’s children, young people and families in what has proven to be very challenging financial circumstances.

I am confident that the successes achieved by the fantastic team will continue, and I know that our residents are in the hands of a compassionate group of people who care deeply about serving those with whom they work.

In his letter of resignation as Executive Lead for Transport and Digital, Cllr Rigby wrote:

I’m grateful to the Leader and my group for asking me to do this work and I have worked with an amazing team of officers during that time.

While there remains much still to do I am proud of the achievements that the team and I have secured. Perhaps foremost amongst these is improved highway maintenance and the major change in how we design our new settlements, putting public and active travel at the heart of how we move within our towns.

Cllr Revans said:

Both Tessa and Mike have both brought a huge amount of talent and experience to their respective roles. They have contributed massively to the work of Somerset Council. I thank them for their service and wish them both well in the future.

This gives us an opportunity to review the Executive in light of the financial emergency and I will provide an update on future membership shortly.

Cllrs Munt and Rigby will continue in their roles as local Councillors.