ENSURING value for money for the district's taxpayers will remain top priority for the new cabinet ruling Suffolk Coastal.Three changes have been made to the exclusive group which makes the day-to-day policy decisions by council leader Ray Herring.

ENSURING value for money for the district's taxpayers will remain top priority for the new cabinet ruling Suffolk Coastal.

Three changes have been made to the exclusive group which makes the day-to-day policy decisions by council leader Ray Herring.

Colin Hart returns to the cabinet after a two-year break, while Kevin Keable and Mary Neale are make their debuts after being elected for the first time to the council in this month's election.

“My new cabinet will work hard to deliver on the main priorities facing this district, and we have some new faces joining us who will bring new skills and experiences on board,” said Mr Herring.

“I must pay tribute to the three retiring cabinet members, two of whom have also left the council - Rae Leighton, John Perry and Stephen Burroughes have all played significant parts in helping to modernise and improve our services.

“Ensuring value for money for residents remains the key task facing this council and with the continuing failure of the government to fairly fund this district we have increasingly limited resources.

“To ensure that we can make a real difference we have to prioritise our actions to ensure we are making real progress on the key issues that affect our communities and so further improve the quality of life in our district.

“We are concentrating on seven areas, which include an added emphasis on developing and promoting green policies and improved management of the environment across our district. Most of our goals cannot be achieved by this council alone and we will continue to strive to work with our partners and our communities to successfully deliver for all.”

The council's priorities are housing to meet local needs, greater recycling, coast and estuary management, strengthening the economy, feeling safe and being safe from crime, developing and promoting green policies, and delivering well-performing, efficient services to all.

The full cabinet is Ray Herring, Colin Hart, Mary Neale, Kevin Keable, Andy Smith, Andrew Nunn, Sherrie Green, Chris Slemmings, Robert Whiting, and Doreen Savage.

Do you think Suffolk Coastal is well run? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk.