Changes to the cabinet team have been announced by the new leader of Southampton City Council – with one portfolio holder leaving the executive and a new deputy leader being appointed.

Cllr Eamonn Keogh will no longer oversee environment and transport after three years in cabinet.

These areas have faced challenge, scrutiny and criticism, particularly around issues missed bin collections and the now scrapped Portswood bus gate.

The cabinet shake-up by Labour leader Cllr Alex Winning will see the environment and transport portfolio split.

He said these areas were “too big” for the one councillor to oversee, noting they are the two services everyone in the city uses.

Cllr Christie Lambert is taking over as deputy leader from Cllr Simon Letts and she will also have responsibility for transport, while Cllr John Savage’s portfolio will now be environment and net zero, including waste services.

On Cllr Keogh leaving cabinet, Cllr Winning told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Personally I’ve got a lot of time for him.

“He is a resilient, resilient guy because he’s dealt with lot of heat, a lot of noise and I understand why as well, because there was a lot going on in this area, and some of that wasn’t good enough, not because of him at all.

“I feel like he’s a hardworking guy.

“He really gave it his best shot and I have a lot of time for him but I think now moving forward we need to approach things differently.”

The council leader said he believed the time was right to “reshape things”, with both Cllr Lambert and Cllr Savage offering “fresh eyes” to the respective service areas.

Cllr Keogh said: “It has been an enormous privilege to have served on cabinet since Labour won back control in 2022.

“I am very proud of the improvements that the transforming cities grant has brought to the city and which I oversaw in my role on cabinet, and these will have a lasting legacy in making Southampton a safer, attractive, and accessible place.

“I fully respect and understand the changes made to cabinet by the new leader and they will all have my wholehearted support going forward.

“I remain committed to supporting the Labour administration in making Southampton a better place to live for all.”

The cabinet role vacated by Cllr Winning is being taken on by Cllr Amanda Barnes-Andrews, who had been chair of the children and families scrutiny panel.

Cllr Josh Allen is the new addition to cabinet, taking on Cllr Lambert’s vacated portfolio of communities and safer city.

The updated cabinet team and their portfolios is as follows:

  • Cllr Alex Winning – leader
  • Cllr Christie Lambert – deputy leader and transport
  • Cllr Simon Letts – finance and resources
  • Cllr Sarah Bogle – economic development, growth and skills
  • Cllr Amanda Barnes-Andrews – children and learning
  • Cllr Marie Finn – adult social care and health
  • Cllr Andy Frampton – housing
  • Cllr Toqeer Kataria – leisure and people
  • Cllr John Savage – environment and net zero
  • Cllr Josh Allen – communities