WAVERLEY Borough Council undertook its own executive reshuffle last week, including a move for Haslemere councillor Jim Edwards, who was portfolio holder for the environment.

Mr Edwards has been replaced by Godalming member Andrew Bolton. He retains a role on the council’s decision-making executive committee, however, taking the brief for economic and community development.

Fellow Haslemere councillors Ged Hall and Carole King continue in their roles of finance portfolio holder and housing portfolio holder, respectively.

Waverley leader Farnham councillor Julia Potts, said: “In the forthcoming council meetings during the next three months we will be considering the budget for 2018-19 and the service plans.

“The changes in the executive were made to ensure there is clarity and political support to enable the delivery of our priorities going forward.

“There has been significant work internally over past six months led by Tom Horwood and myself on development of the new draft corporate plan and looking again at where both councillors and residents are indicting they want the council focus to be.

“It therefore seemed the right time to make these changes with all these coming to fruition.”

Mr Horwood was confirmed as Waverley’s new chief executive in December.

The change for environment portfolio holder, follows the departure of Waverley’s chief officer for air quality, strategic director, Damien Roberts, in October, and precedes the results of an audit into Waverley’s botched 2016 annual air quality status report.