Worcestershire councillors removed from posts in cabinet reshuffle

Rumours had been swirling on social media since the weekend of Tory councillors being sacked from their positions.

Council leader Simon Geraghty has now confirmed - via a statement issued by the county council’s press team - that three cabinet members have left their positions, with others moved around to new cabinet roles.

LEADER: Simon Geraghty has made several changes to his cabinet (Image: Worcestershire County Council)

The Worcester News had tried to contact several members of Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet directly but didn’t get a response.

Former council leader Adrian Hardman is “stepping down” from his position as cabinet member for adult social care “to concentrate on his health and recovery.

Tracey Onslow will no longer be the council’s education lead and will instead be the Conservative group’s nomination for county council chairman.

And Mike Rouse, who stood unsuccessfully as a candidate for Rainbow Hill in Worcester’s city council election last week, has stepped down from his role as county highways chief “for personal reasons”.

GONE: Mike Rouse is no longer the highways chief at Worcestershire County Council

Former city council leader - and current Tory candidate for Worcester MP - Marc Bayliss has been handed the highways job.

Cllr Geraghty said: “I have today made changes to my cabinet team to support me, and the wider council, to deliver on the ambitious agenda we have to improve the council and the county of Worcestershire.

“With three new members, and with most other areas of responsibility changing, the refreshed cabinet will enable a renewed focus on our priorities and promises laid out in our Corporate Plan: Shaping Worcestershire’s Future, with an opportunity to inject some new ideas, whilst ensuring we have the right blend of skills and experience from across the county within the team.

HIGHWAYS: Marc Bayliss has a new role in the cabinet

“I am pleased to welcome Emma Stokes, David Chambers and David Ross to the cabinet and look forward to working closely with them as part of the wider cabinet team to deliver on things that matter the most to our residents and businesses.”

Labour councillor Richard Udall certainly seems to have been enjoying the drama in County Hall.

If any sacked Worcestershire Tory County Councillor wants to join the Labour Party, please let me know.

— Richard Udall - The Voice of St John's (@RealUdallVoice) May 8, 2024

The member for St John’s has tweeted several times about “infighting in Worcestershire Conservatives”, invited sacked Tory councillors to join the Labour Party and at one point called on his followers to “fetch the popcorn”.

The new cabinet line-up for Worcestershire County Council is:

Leader of the Council and with responsibility for Finance – Councillor Simon Geraghty

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Corporate Services and Communications – Councillor Marcus Hart

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education – Councillor David Chambers

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport – Councillor Marc Bayliss

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care – Councillor Richard Morris

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for the Environment – Councillor Emma Stokes

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families – Councillor Steve Mackay

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Wellbeing – Councillor David Ross

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities  – Councillor Karen May

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Skills – Councillor Adam Kent