Council chief heading £30m Handy Cross revamp quits (From Bucks Free Press)

Council chief heading £30m Handy Cross revamp quits

11:14am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By James Nadal

A KEY figure in the £30million Handy Cross revamp has quit as deputy council leader, prompting a Cabinet reshuffle.

Cllr Arif Hussain, who has been joint deputy leader at Wycombe District Council since the Conservatives won the 2011 election, has stepped down and also relinquishes his role heading up property. He cited personal reasons but did not elaborate.

Former Deputy Leader Cllr Tony Green, who was a key figure in the community stadium project, returns to the Cabinet to take charge of democratic, legal and policy services.

Cllr Hussain has been heading the regeneration of Handy Cross, which includes a refurbished £30m sports centre, a business park, which the council hopes will attract major investors and create jobs, and a coach way.

Cllr Neil Marshall has been appointed as Cabinet Member for Property and Economic Development in his place.

Cllr Audrey Jones is also stepping down for health reasons and is replaced by Cllr Jean Teesdale as Cabinet Member for Environment.

Cllr Green takes on Cllr Teesdale's previous Cabinet role for Democratic, Legal and Policy Services.

There had been two deputy leaders – the other being Cllr David Carroll – until recently when he also quit after being appointed to the £35,000 per year job as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.

Cllr Roger Wilson, who has been acting deputy leader, now takes on the role permanently.

Cllr Alex Collingwood, Leader of Wycombe District Council said: "I would like to thank both councillors for their hard work and support in these roles, with particular reference to Cllr Jones for being instrumental in bringing the new joint waste and recycling contract with Chiltern District Council to fruition.

“When service improvements are rolled out in the autumn, local residents will benefit from a much wider range of materials being collected for recycling, while the contract as a whole will save both councils £1.2 million a year.

"Both councillors will continue in their ward member roles for the foreseeable future."

The roles come into place from March 15.

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