THE leader of Somerset Council has reshuffled his executive in light of the upcoming general election.

The Liberal Democrats have held a majority on the new unitary council since the local elections in May 2022, with Bill Revans serving as leader.

Since their election victory, three members of Mr Revans’ cabinet have been selected to stand for parliament, with the next general election having to take place in January 2025 at the very latest.

To give them more time to prepare, Mr Revans formally reshuffled his executive at the full council meeting held in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (May 24).

Somerset County Gazette: Adam Dance, who will stand for the Lib Dems in the Yeovil constituency in the next general election.Adam Dance, who will stand for the Lib Dems in the Yeovil constituency in the next general election. (Image: Yeovil Liberal Democrats)

A spokesman for the Somerset Lib Dems said: “Given the amazing successes at the recent local elections and the historic strength of the Lib Dems in Somerset, we are aware that some of our lead member colleagues will probably be elected to parliament at the general election.

“The Lib Dem administration at Somerset Council needs to succession plan for that eventuality, as we could lose several lead members at very short notice.

“We need to make sure we have the capacity and experience in place to seamlessly carry on with our ambitious plans for Somerset, whenever the general election comes.”

Three cabinet members have already been selected as Lib Dem parliamentary candidates – Adam Dance (who will be standing in the Yeovil constituency), Sarah Dyke (Somerton and Frome) and Tessa Munt (Wells).

Somerset County Gazette: Tessa Munt, who represented Wells in Parliament between 2010 and 2015, will stand for election again.Tessa Munt, who represented Wells in Parliament between 2010 and 2015, will stand for election again. (Image: Tessa Munt)

Mr Revans contested the Bridgwater and West Somerset seat at the last general election in December 2019, but has ruled himself out of standing again as he is still recovering from treatment for kidney cancer.

In light of these selections, the executive has been reshuffled, with new blood coming into the assistant positions to support the existing members.

This will allow the parliamentary candidates to ‘train up’ their potential replacements over the next 12 months, ensuring there is a smooth running of services in the run-up to the general election.

The major change comes in adult social care, where Heather Shearer (Mendip West – and a former candidate for Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner) moves down to the assistant children’s services post, under Ms Munt.

Somerset County Gazette: Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrats' candidate for Somerton and Frome.Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrats' candidate for Somerton and Frome. (Image: Somerton And Frome Liberal Democrats)

She is replaced by Dean Ruddle (Somerton), who will be supported by Fran Smith (Taunton South).

Val Keitch (Ilminster) has also stepped back from the executive, being replaced by Theo Butt Philip (Wells) – but she remains an assistant portfolio holder with responsibility for creating the new local community networks (LCNs).

The new executive is as follows:

  • Bill Revans (North Petherton) – leader, governance and communications
  • Liz Leyshon (Street) – deputy leader, resources and performance
  • Tessa Munt (Wells) – children, families and education
  • Dean Ruddle (Somerton) – adult social care
  • Mike Rigby (Lydeard) – transport and digital
  • Adam Dance (South Petherton and Islemoor) – public health, equalities and diversity
  • Theo Butt Philip (Wells) – transformation and human resources
  • Sarah Dyke (Blackmoor Vale) – environment and climate change
  • Ros Wyke (Mendip West) – economy, planning and assets
  • Federica Smith-Roberts (Taunton East) – communities, housing and culture

The executive will be supported by the following assistant portfolio holders:

  • Fran Smith (Taunton South) – adult social care and housing
  • Oliver Patrick (Coker) – communications
  • Jo Roundell Greene (South Petherton and Islemoor) – education strategy
  • Val Keitch (Ilminster) – localities and public health
  • Tom Deakin (Taunton North) – performance
  • David Woan (Yeovil Central) – business partnerships
  • Sarah Wakefield (Blackdown and Neroche) – commercial investments and risk
  • Nicola Clark (Blackmoor Vale) – leisure and culture
  • Dixie Darch (Rowbarton and Staplegrove) – climate change and active travel
  • Heather Shearer (Mendip West) – children’s social care and special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE)’s proposals for the new Somerset constituencies are expected to be ratified by parliament in July; after this date, any future general election will be fought on these boundaries.