TENDRING Council’s top table has been reshuffled following the sacking of a prominent cabinet member.

Coastal Independents councillor Mick Skeels Snr was removed from the Conservative-led cabinet by council leader Neil Stock after he was found to have breached the council’s code of conduct after swearing at a member of the public outside Clacton Town Hall.

The roles and responsibilities of cabinet members have this week undergone significant changes and also incorporate the replacement of Mr Skeels.

But Mr Stock said the overhaul had been in the pipeline for sometime and did not lead on from the removal of Mr Skeels from the cabinet.

“It has been a year now since this administration was formed following the elections in 2015," he said.

“We have maintained a very strong and stable administration which was always my priority and we have also delivered demonstrable successes and achievements in many areas such as achieving the Investors In People Gold Award but we must, and we can do more.

“Hence now is the right time to re-focus and as such I am making significant changes to the portfolios with immediate effect."

He added: “We are all well aware that we face extremely difficult financial challenges ahead and I am seeking to ensure that the various cabinet posts are best aligned to deal with this.

“The reality of the economic climate for local councils means that we need to make the best use of our diminishing resources and make what further savings are possible in order to be able to continue to deliver excellent services to our residents.

“We need to find new ways of generating income and bringing money into the council.”

Conservative Ramsey and Parkeston councillor Tanya Ferguson is the only new face on the cabinet and will take on responsibility for tourism and culture.

There are also a number of new portfolios, including enforcement and community safety, which will be fronted by deputy council leader Carlo Guglielmi.

Frinton councillor Nick Turner takes on the ‘commercialisation’ brief and will seek to increase income for the council from areas such as car parking and seafronts.

As part of the changes regeneration boss Giles Watling will also take on the planning portfolio and the newly expanded finance and revenues and benefits post will be overseen by Tom Howard.

Paul Honeywood continues his role with housing, but now has special responsibility for Jaywick, and Michael Talbot will continue his role with environment.

Lynda McWilliams has been given responsibility for the new position of leisure, health and well-being and John Hughes will be responsible for corporate services.

Mr Stock’s position as leader also includes responsibility for devolution, garden settlements and public sector transformation.

Labour group leader Ivan Henderson said: "There are still ten cabinet members at a time when there are now just two departments running the council.

"The sacking of Mick Skeels gave this council a real opportunity to cut back the size of the cabinet and save taxpayers' money."