Special educational needs and disabilities has been given an even greater focus as part of a reshuffle of Suffolk County Council's cabinet announced today.

Experienced cabinet member Cllr Andrew Reid will take the role of cabinet member for SEND and education. The role previously included oversight of skills, but to enable more political focus and accountability on urgent improvements on SEND services, this has now been moved to Cllr Richard Smith to sit alongside his existing responsibilities for economic development, transport strategy and waste. Cllr Debbie Richards will support Cllr Reid as deputy cabinet member for SEND.

A new SEND Improvement Board is also being established to help drive forward reform. 

Continuing the changes to children and young people (CYP) leadership, serving cabinet member Cllr Bobby Bennett has been appointed as cabinet member for CYP services. Two deputy cabinet members have been promoted to cabinet roles – Cllr Philip Faircloth-Mutton is now cabinet member for equality and communities and Cllr Craig Rivett is cabinet member for public health and public protection. 

Alongside these changes, further new faces come in as deputy cabinet members. Cllr Nadia Cenci becomes deputy cabinet member for property and county farms, Cllr David Roach becomes deputy cabinet member for fostering and adoption and Cllr Heike Sowa joins as deputy cabinet member for transformation. 

Matthew Hicks

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council's leader, said: "I have taken decisive action today to ensure that this authority continues to have a strong cabinet, with a focus on delivering our priorities. 

"It is clear that we have not seen the improvements necessary in SEND services. However, I am confident in the determination and tenacity of both Andrew Reid and Debbie Richards to help council officers drive those improvements forward.  

"As a cabinet we have a collective mission, we must see real and lasting improvement in SEND services and deliver on the wider ambitions of this council. The people of Suffolk deserve nothing less.

"Alongside these changes, I am welcoming a number of new faces to the cabinet and deputy cabinet roles. I would also like to thank Cllr Stephen Burroughes who has decided to step back from his role as deputy cabinet member for fostering and adoption. Stephen has delivered this vital role with passion and determination and he leaves with my immense gratitude." 

A full list of the new cabinet and deputy cabinet members is below:

Cabinet Members

Leader – Cllr Matthew Hicks

Deputy Leader and Finance and Environment – Cllr Richard Rout 

SEND and Education – Cllr Andrew Reid*

Economic Development, Transport Strategy, Waste and Skills – Cllr Richard Smith MVO*

Children and Young People's Services – Cllr Bobby Bennett*

Public Health and Public Protection – Cllr Craig Rivett*

Equality and Communities – Cllr Philip Faircloth-Mutton*

Adult Care – Cllr Beccy Hopfensperger

Ipswich, Operation Highways and Flooding – Cllr Paul West  

Deputy Cabinet Members

Transport Strategy - Cllr Alexander Nicoll

Highway Drainage – Cllr Steve Wiles

Protected Landscapes and Archaeology – Cllr Melanie Vigo di Gallidoro

County Farms and Property – Cllr Nadia Cenci*

Fostering and Adoption – Cllr David Roach*

Transformation – Cllr Heike Sowa*

SEND – Cllr Debbie Richards*

*Indicates a change to the previous Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member roles.

ENDS