KCC cabinet member Chris Wells and Roger Gough resign

IN a shock announcement Margate and Cliftonville county councillor Chris Wells has quit – barely a year in the post.

The former cabinet member in charge of children, families and education said he wanted to concentrate on campaigning for his ward in the run-up to the county election next year.

The leader of KCC, Paul Carter, announced the autumn reshuffle to his cabinet following Cllr Wells resignation.

Cllr Wells' job will now be taken by Sandwich councillor Leyland Ridings.

The changes to the cabinet came into effect from yesterday (Monday).

Mr Carter said: "Chris Wells has chosen to spend more time running his consultancy business and feels he needs to focus on working on local issues in the run-up to the county election next year, recognising the marginal nature of his county division in Margate."

Fellow Margate and Cliftonville KCC councillor Clive Hart said the news did not surprise him.

He said: "There were clearly problems developing between the KCC Leader Paul Carter and Chris Wells over the summer period.

"At the KCC Cabinet Meeting held in Margate back in July, Mr Wells was given a golden opportunity to shine with a special agenda item presentation on the Governments multi-million-pound working neighbourhoods fund for Thanet, but he gave such a lacklustre performance that Mr Carter had to keep prompting him all the way through."

Cllr Wells said that it was an honour and privilege to represent the people of Kent and added he "hopes to be able to serve in a similar capacity in the not to distant future."

He said: "For me the problem is very straightforward on the ground in Margate and Cliftonville. There are a couple of very active and very devious opposition politicians who, even in responding to this news, have once again retreated into a fantasy world.

"It is more important for voters in Margate and Cliftonville to understand just how loud a noise the echo on an empty vessel makes. It is clear to me that faced with the most unpopular government in history they must be resorting to a dirty campaign early.

"If you wish to take the gloves off Mr Hart, I hope you're ready to be hit."

The new Cabinet is:

Leader of the Council: Paul Carter

Deputy Leader of the Council: Alex King

Education Operations, Resources and Skills: Mark Dance

Children, Families and Educational Achievement: Leyland Ridings

Regeneration and Supporting Independence: Kevin Lynes

Kent Adult Social Services: Graham Gibbens

Environment, Highways and Waste: Keith Ferrin

Public Health: Alan Marsh

Community Services: Mike Hill

Finance: Nick Chard