New role for councillor

MIKE Ryland has been appointed Waveney District Council's new portfolio holder for finance following the resignation of Chris Punt yesterday.Chris Punt, the council's portfolio holder for finance, stepped down following five complaints about his conduct after it emerged he voted against a wind turbine planning application without declaring that he lived in the area.

MIKE Ryland has been appointed Waveney District Council's new portfolio holder for finance following the resignation of Chris Punt yesterday.

Chris Punt, the council's portfolio holder for finance, stepped down following five complaints about his conduct after it emerged he voted against a wind turbine planning application without declaring that he lived in the area.

Mr Ryland was elected to the Halesworth ward of Waveney District Council in 2007 and has played an active role in the authority prior to this appointment. Previously a business director for a large multi-national organisation working in Europe and the Far East, he has a wealth of financial and business experience.

'We are a better council now, as a number of recent reports have indicated,' he said.

'However this is against a backdrop of financial challenge which all local authorities must address and I am really looking forward to working closely with Cabinet colleagues and officers to help maintain our improvement journey.'

Council leader Mark Bee said: 'Mike has considerable financial experience and is an excellent ward councillor and this combination will be of great benefit to the Council and the communities we serve.'