DCC Cabinet Member Resigns

The councillor in charge of overseeing major cuts to Devon County Council’s people services in Devon has resigned.

Cllr Will Mumford will leave his post as the cabinet member responsible for education and children’s services after being appointed managing director of the property company NPS South West.

As the company contracts work with Devon County Council, Mr Mumford has resigned to avoid a conflict of interest between the roles.

As a cabinet member, Mr Mumford oversaw the ongoing, controversial consultation into the future of the council’s youth centres.

The consultation saw plans to reduce the council’s youth services budget by nearly £1m by ceasing to run the council’s 34 youth centres in favour of centres run by outside organisations.

The plans have proven to be controversial with a large group of campaigners from the Youth Parliament and the Youth Service opposing the plans.

Campaigners claim that outside agencies, such as church or community groups, would be insufficient and could see many centres close their doors.

Speaking to The Exeter Daily prior to his resignation, Mr Mumford defended the plans, he said: “There are a number of examples of youth centres that are run by volunteers and there are a number of emerging models coming forward such as in Ilfracombe and a range of other places.

“People are actively lining up now, giving expressions of interest and trying to work out how they can help provide some of the facilities moving forward.

“It’s a service we have managed to keep running certainly longer than many others but unfortunately the changes and the cuts coming through and the level of savings we have to make just don’t give us that luxury any more.

“We have to make some very tough decisions not just about the youth services but about a whole range of services... they are very uncomfortable decisions to make but we have to work within a budget and we have to try and deliver the best services that we possibly can.”

Mr Mumford was also responsible for making the decision to close the council’s three children’s homes; Rifford Road, Blossom Corner in Exeter and Birchen Lane in Tiverton.

This decision was then re-called to council by the council’s people scrutiny committee who believed there was merit in retaining the homes.

However decision was then reaffirmed due to concerns over the safety of children in the Rifford Road and Birchen Lane homes.

Mr Mumford has also been widely praised for his role in the restructuring of the council's child protection services.

The restructuring comes in response to an Ofsted reort that found the council's children's services were inadquete.

A by-election will be held in the Yealmpton seat in due course.

Mr Mumford will be replaced by Hatherleigh and Chagford councillor James McInnes, a former leader of West Devon Borough Council, who currently chairs Devon's development management committee.

His role will be taken by Chudleigh Rural councillor Jerry Brook.

Mr Hart said today: "I want to pay tribute to the work that Will Mumford has done for Devon.

"He has been in the Cabinet since day one of this administration in 2009.

"As the Cabinet member responsible for economy, he was instrumental in negotiating the roll-out of superfast broadband to many rural parts of Devon in a move that is benefitting businesses and householders alike and improving the economy in these areas.

"He also played a key role in establishing our local enterprise panel.

"Over the past year he has been responsible for driving the improvement of our child protection services following the Ofsted inspection.

"I am sorry to lose his excellent contribution from both the Cabinet and the council.

"But I understand, as a family man, he has to devote himself to his professional career and this is too good an opportunity for him to turn down.

"I am delighted to welcome James McInnes to the Cabinet, which I am sure will benefit from his considerable experience at both district and county level.

"The county council is facing considerable challenges over the next few years as we continue to make significant reductions in our budget and James is taking on a very high profile portfolio."

Mr McInnes said: "I am looking forward to continuing the work that Will Mumford has been doing, driving the council's improvement agenda and implementing our significant change programme."