Top Tories for Top Spots! (23/01/03)

Elaine Waymouth remains as spokesperson for Care and Safety.Denis Underhill continues on Environment and Transport.John Edney will continue as spokesman for Community Regeneration and Economic Development.The Conservative Deputy Chairman of Scrutiny remains Stephen Martin-Scott.Conservative spokesperson on the Regulation Board is Derek Yeomans.

The new appointments include Christine Lawrence as Education spokesperson, Allen Cotton as Finance spokesperson and Derek Nelson as spokesperson for Culture, Inclusion and Access.

Christopher Wolverson’s deputy will be David Huxtable.He has been on the County Council since 1985 and was previously the Conservative spokesperson for Culture, Inclusion and Access.

Christopher Wolverson commented, ‘As the longest serving Conservative County Councillor, his wealth of experience will be of tremendous value to the group.He will join Colin Hill on the Executive Board.I am thrilled that Colin Hill has agreed to continue to serve on the Executive.Nobody has worked harder than him over the past year or so and his experience, dedication and expertise will continue to be such an asset.’

‘I am delighted with our new team.We are committed to the people of Somerset. We are motivated by the need for better services.Our duty is to hold the current administration to account and with dedicated councillors we will do so.’

‘As a Group, we will continue with the progress John Smeaton made in modernising the way the Council works and undertaking a fundamental review of our spending in order to improve services.It is wonderful to have his support.’

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Please update your records with the following contact details for Conservative portfolio holders:

Leader: Christopher Wolverson – 01823 430628 rcwolverson@somerset.gov.uk

Deputy Leader: David Huxtable – 01278 723120 djhuxtable@somerset.gov.uk

Finance: Allen Cotton – 01458 850248 awcotton@somerset.gov.uk

Education: Christine Lawrence – 01643 707889 cmlawrence@somerset.gov.uk

Environment and Transport: Denis Underhill – 01749 679680 dgunderhill@somerset.gov.uk

Care and Safety: Elaine Waymouth – 01823 451802 emwaymouth@somerset.gov.uk

Culture, Inclusion and Access: Derek Nelson – 01458 253864 dinelson@somerset.gov.uk

Community Regeneration & Economic Development: John Edney – 01278 653026 jedney@somerset.gov.uk