All change at Arun council

Arun District Council’s leader Gillian Brown has taken on economic regeneration as part of her portfolio in the changes which were rubber-stamped at the district council’s full meeting.

The changes reflect the new direction the council wishes to take from 2013 to 2017.

Cllr Mrs Brown said she was confident her first-class team of councillors and officers would be able to tackle the tough financial times the authority would face.

“I am extremely confident the council has a strong corporate management team of chief executive, deputy chief executive and assistant directors that will enable the council to go forward on an effective and efficient basis in the difficult years to come.

“They will not be easy years as everyone knows local government is facing spending reductions as part of a nationwide effort to ensure the nation can balance the books, but we are a financially stable council.”

Other changes saw Dudley Wensley become the council’s deputy leader, replacing Roger Elkins. Cllr Elkins will remain responsible for the housing portfolio with Cllr Wensley staying in control of the authority’s finance and central services. Norman Dingemans, whose responsibilities had included economic regeneration, has moved to become the member in charge of the council’s customer services. Environmental services will remain with Paul Dendle, with Ricky Bower keeping his position as planning supremo.

The changes came hot on the heels of a restructure reported in the Observer last week which should save the authority some £100,000.