A MEMBER of the top team at Wiltshire Council has stood down due to family illness.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport, Street Scene and flooding, has resigned from her role, prompting a reshuffle of the team.

Council leader, Cllr Richard Clewer, thanked Cllr Thomas for her hard work and commitment after it was confirmed she has stepped down due to “family illness making it very difficult to fulfil her role”.

Cllr Thomas said: “It is with a heavy heart that I have resigned from the cabinet of Wiltshire Council.

“During my time as cabinet member for transport, Street Scene and flooding, I am very proud of our achievements – increasing funding for potholes and resurfacing, gully clearance, white lining, road signage and litter; investing in camera technology and enforcement across Wiltshire to clean up the county and catch offenders.

“I am also particularly proud of our award-winning fly-tipping campaign which has seen rates across the county fall and an increase in prosecutions.

“We have secured significant grant funding for Active Travel, maintaining bus services and adding Demand Responsive Transport.

“The depot strategy is now off the ground and the fourth Local Transport Plan is under development.

“I am pleased I was also able to support the Western Gateway Sub National Transport Body produce their first Strategic Transport Plan.

“I’d like to thank all officers for their hard work and support during my term.

“There are very few circumstances in which I could have envisaged resigning voluntarily from my role but as we all know, family must come first.

“I look forward to continuing to work hard for the residents of Marlborough East from the backbenches and securing the best outcomes for Marlborough and Wiltshire.”

Cllr Clewer added: “I want to thank Cllr Thomas for her service and great commitment to her role throughout her time on cabinet and I wish her well for the future.

“Caroline has worked tremendously hard with officers and other cabinet members to ensure we have been able to progress a number of our business plan priorities and deliver the best outcomes for residents and businesses across Wiltshire.

“Cllr Dominic Muns and Cllr Tamara Reay will be joining cabinet and I look forward to welcoming them in their new roles.”

The reshuffle sees the following changes in the cabinet:
Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Flooding
Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Waste and Environment
Cllr Tamara Reay, Cabinet Member for Transport and Assets
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Libraries and Communities
Cllr Nabil Najjar, Portfolio Holder for Education and Skills
Cllr Richard Rogers, Portfolio Holder for Highways
Cllr Sven Hocking, Portfolio Holder for Arts, Heritage and Tourism