Powys County Council leader Rosemarie Harris has shaken up her top team in the Cabinet.

Some members will take on new responsibilities following former Welsh Conservative councillor Iain McIntosh's resignation as planning and housing portfolio holder in December.

Councillor Myfanwy Alexander will take over responsibility for Housing and Climate change. The Banwy councillor already has responsibility for a number of services areas including Adult Social Care, Welsh Language, Communications and Engagement.

Councillor Beverley Baynham (Presteigne - Independent) will take over responsibility for Planning, in addition to Corporate Governance, Regulatory Services and Digital Powys, excluding Broadband Infrastructure.

Responsibility for Broadband Infrastructure will move to Councillor Rachel Powell (Beguildy - Independent) while responsibility for Economic Development Strategy and Regeneration will move to Council Leader Cllr Rosemarie Harris (Llangynidr - Independent).

Councillor Harris said: “The changes will ensure that all services areas will be accommodated by existing Cabinet members, ensuring clear accountability without increasing the overall size of the cabinet in the period running up to the May County Council elections.

"I appreciate the decision will increase the workload for individual Cabinet members, but I am confident of their ability to manage the changes."

The changes, which will come into force with immediate effect, for the Cabinet of seven members.

Councillor McIntosh resigned live online following a unanimous vote in favour of merging Mount Street Infants and Junior schools as well as Cradoc community primary school, under one headteacher and governing body and eventually move from three sites to a new-build school.

Cllr McIntosh said: “This is decision I cannot accept, and I don’t recognise it as a Conservative party or group decision.

“So I’m afraid I’m going to be resigning from the Conservative group with immediate effect and obviously my position on the cabinet as well.

“This is a decision I just cannot stomach and will be fighting very much against it from this point.”

Cabinet members

  • Leader - Cllr Rosemarie Harris
  • Finance and Transport - Cllr Aled Davies
  • Education and Property - Cllr Phyl Davies
  • Young People and Culture - Cllr Rachel Powell
  • Adult Social Care and Welsh Language - Cllr Myfanwy Alexander
  • Corporate Governance & Regulatory Services - Cllr Beverley Baynham
  • Environment - Cllr Heulwen Hulme