I am truly proud to have been appointed by the Somerset Council Leader to the role of Associate Lead Member for Community Resilience in the Council Executive — a recognition of the community work I have dedicated myself to, and a responsibility I do not take lightly.

My role is to support the Council Leader and champion the Council’s vision, working alongside and supporting the Council Executive to turn that vision into real, lasting change for the communities we serve.

Strong, resilient communities are the foundation of everything we want to achieve:

• Flood resilience and climate readiness — prepared neighbourhoods that protect people before crisis hits
• Wellbeing and mental health — thriving and connected communities where everyone can fulfil their potential
• Decisions rooted in our communities — community infrastructure, sustainable travel, and housing shaped by the communities they affect

About Somerset Council

The Council Executive

The Somerset Council Executive is the primary decision-making body of the council. It consists of the Council Leader and up to nine other elected councillors — known as Lead Members — who hold portfolios and are collectively responsible for setting the strategic direction of the council and its core policies, supported in this work by Associate Lead Members. My new role runs across several portfolio areas.

The day-to-day running of the council is led by the Chief Executive and a team of Service Directors, who work in close partnership with elected members to deliver the Executive’s decisions and ensure services are delivered effectively for the people of Somerset.

Elected members work in close partnership with the council’s professional officers — led by the Chief Executive and supported by a team of Service Directors — who are responsible for the day-to-day running of services and translating the Executive’s decisions into action. Together, elected members and officers ensure the council delivers effectively for the people of Somerset.

A Unitary Authority Serving Somerset

Formed in 2023 by bringing together the former county council and four district councils, Somerset Council is responsible for delivering hundreds of services to residents and businesses across the county, supported by a budget of hundreds millions of pounds. These services span:

• Adult and Children’s Social Care — support for older people, those with disabilities, child protection, fostering and safeguarding
• Education — early years, school placements, and special educational needs
• Roads and Transport — highway maintenance, traffic management, and concessionary travel
• Waste and Environment — refuse collection, recycling, flood management, and climate action
• Planning and Housing — building control, planning applications, and homelessness prevention
• Public Health and Safety — environmental health, food safety, and wellbeing initiatives
• Communities and Culture — libraries, registration services, and leisure support
  
  
  Related video connected to my new role: Paths That Connect Us