A NEW, smaller cabinet has been chosen to run Tendring District Council (TDC).

Peter Halliday, the newly-elected leader, announced a number of changes including a reduction in size from 10 members to eight.

Some departments have been merged, while other portfolios have been created or dropped.

Five of the members will receive the special responsibility allowance of nearly �11,000 a year, while three will receive �5,500. Around �37,500 will be saved under the new structure.

Pam Sambridge, who was portfolio holder for Technical Services, and Giles Watling, former portfolio holder for Benefits and Revenue, no longer hold cabinet posts.

The changes were announced on Monday by Mr Halliday who said reshaping the cabinet was his first task following his election as leader at a meeting of the full council on November 27.

Former leader Neil Stock officially resigned from the post at the same meeting.

The new cabinet members and their departments are:

n Peter Halliday – Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets.

n Paul Honeywood – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Benefits and Revenues and Sports Facilities.

n Nick Turner – Cabinet Member for Environment and Coast Protection.

n Carlo Guglielmi – Cabinet Member for Planning and Corporate Services.

n Sarah Candy – Cabinet Member for Inward Investment and Growth.

n Lynda McWilliams – Cabinet member for Health and Community Safety.

n Stephen Mayzes – Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.

n Alan Goggin – Cabinet Member for Tourism.

Mr Halliday said: “It my belief that a district council is about the power to make decisions – and the ability to influence those making the decisions that influence our residents’ lives.

“My actions also reflect the common ethos during recession that most of us are working harder, for longer and in some cases for less.”

He said he was taking on a dual role – and retaining his finance brief – as it would show poor leadership to walk away from what is a difficult budget process.

Ivan Henderson, opposition leader at TDC, said: “We welcome the reduction in the cost of the cabinet which we have been calling for since September last year. But the decision by Cllr Halliday to reward failure by retaining Tory councillors who in my view have not performed in the old cabinet calls into question the new leader’s judgement.”