Dorset Council has approved changes to Cabinet responsibilities aimed at improving joined-up support for residents.
The changes were agreed during a Full Council meeting on Thursday 14 May and will keep the Cabinet at 10 members, while reshaping portfolios to clarify leadership areas and improve coordination between services. Council leaders said the revised structure is intended to help residents access support more quickly and make it easier to identify who is responsible for key areas.
The biggest change is the appointment of Councillor Matt Bell as Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention and Communities, bringing together public health, prevention, community support, emergency planning, environmental health, trading standards, licensing and leisure services under one portfolio. Councillor Bell said his priority is “helping people in Dorset stay well” and reducing health inequalities through earlier support and stronger community partnerships.
Councillor Ryan Hope has stepped down from Cabinet after serving for 2 years, which was the timeframe he originally set when taking on the role. He will continue serving residents as a Dorset councillor alongside his wider community responsibilities.
Councillor Nick Ireland remains Leader of Dorset Council and Cabinet Member for Climate, Performance, Communications, and Safeguarding. He said the refresh “gives clearer leads where we need them most” and will help the council “prevent problems earlier”.
Councillors also re-appointed Councillor Stella Jones as Chair of Dorset Council and Councillor Les Fry as Vice-Chair for the coming year (both pictured above).
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