Wells, Glastonbury and Shepton councillors in county council reshuffle

By Laura Linham 20th May 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 5 hours ago

Wells, Glastonbury and Shepton-area councillors are among the local names at the heart of Somerset Council's latest reshuffle.

The changes were published by Somerset Council on Monday, 18 May, and are due to be formally ratified by full council in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon, 20 May.

Wells councillor Theo Butt Philip keeps his place in the executive as portfolio holder for transformation, human resources and localities.

It means he will continue to oversee Somerset Council's £20m transformation programme, which is central to efforts to balance next year's budget.

Glastonbury councillor Ewan Cameron has been named assistant portfolio holder for "transformation and prevention".

Shepton-area councillor Claire Sully, who represents Mendip South, has been handed responsibility for community resilience.

The roles sit within the wider top-team shake-up by council leader Bill Revans, who remains in post.

Street councillor Liz Leyshon also keeps a powerful role as deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance, procurement and performance.

Councillor Graham Oakes, of Yeovil East, is leaving the executive.

His former responsibilities for public health, climate change and the environment will be split between Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts and Councillor Evie Potts-Jones.

Most other senior roles remain unchanged.

Councillor Sarah Wakefield keeps adults' services, housing and homelessness, while Councillor Heather Shearer remains in charge of children, families and education.

Councillor Mike Rigby keeps economic development, planning and assets.

Councillor Richard Wilkins remains in charge of highways and transport, but waste services move to Councillor Smith-Roberts under her new communities, climate change and environment brief.

Scott Wooldridge, the council's head of democratic and governance services, said Mr Revans intended to "maintain continuity as much as possible".

The reshuffle is expected to be the final change to the executive line-up before voters go to the polls on Saturday, 1 May 2027.

Original reporting: Daniel Mumby/LDRS