Published: Tuesday, 20th October 2020
Climate Change and Public Protection are being moved up the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk's agenda with a cabinet reshuffle.
Cllr Paul Kunes takes on responsibility for carbon reduction and climate change in respect of the council's activities, and Cllr Stuart Dark MBE being brought in as new cabinet member for environmental services including waste collection, waste reduction and street cleaning, along with public protection including Covid response, business continuity and emergency planning.
Cllr Brian Long, Leader of the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, explained: "When Cllr Devereux stood down as Cabinet Member from the Environment, I took on the environmental portfolio myself to ensure it had the appropriate gravitas as well as the benefit of my years of experience in the role previously. I knew this could only be a temporary thing as it is a large portfolio with lots of diverse issues that are all of great importance.
"By rearranging portfolios I am confident that we have the right people in the right place to take us through the next few years tacking the climate and environmental challenges we face."
Cllr Paul Kunes, former Cabinet Member for Commercial Services, will now be Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Commercial Services. His remit will include, among others, climate change, air quality, carbon reduction, biodiversity and energy strategy, as well as continuing with the existing responsibilities of car parking, CCTV, ICT, cemeteries and crematorium, and shared services.
Cllr Stuart Dark, MBE, who was Cabinet Member for Emergency Planning and Covid 19 Response earlier this year will make a welcome return as Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Public Protection. Some of the key responsibilities in his portfolio include waste collection (refuse and recycling), street cleaning, licensing, infectious diseases, food safety and waste reduction.
These new cabinet roles begin with immediate effect.