Cllr Zoë Clewer speaks out on portfolio role after criticism

Leader of the council Richard Clewer appointed his wife, Cllr Zoë Clewer, for the role in March and has faced criticism for the decision in public meetings, with one Tory councillor leaving the Wiltshire Council Conservative group over the dispute.

The role was also questioned by Wiltshire’s Lib Dem leader Ian Thorn who suggested it was “dangerous” to promote a family member in public life, but Cllr Richard Clewer maintained that it was a “sensible thing to do".

Now, Cllr Zoë Clewer has spoken out about the work she has carried out since becoming the portfolio holder.

Cllr Kirk (right) was the Conservative councillor who left the group over Cllr Clewer's (left) decision. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

She said: “Since I took up to the role in March, I have been working with cabinet members, our communications team and officers to ensure that the council’s policies are being communicated to the public in a way that people understand, acting as a bridge between the public, the political administration and our officers, enhancing the communication of the excellent work Wiltshire Council are doing across all the work areas and our business plan.

“To give just a few examples: leisure and libraries, housing, reducing fly tipping, investing a total of £25 million extra on top of government funding in our highways and drainage network, climate, net zero and nature recovery and planning enforcement.

She added: “Technology to assist residents is a growing area with the Wiltshire Council website, Explore Wiltshire & events web app, MyWilts app and the Wiltshire Marque to bring investment and economic growth to our county, all of which can only happen with sound financial control and investing in prevention and early intervention.”

Cllr Zoë Clewer concluded: “Once chosen by their residents to represent them through a democratic election, any councillor can be appointed to a role within the administration by the leader of the council in order to deliver the best outcomes for people across Wiltshire.

“The role itself requires flexibility and a different emphasis at different times, from the minute details to the big picture, as you would expect when considering the range of over 300 services Wiltshire Council delivers.”

She was also asked to clarify the professional experience she brings to the role, but this information was not provided in her statement.

She was elected to represent the Redlynch and Landford division in 2021.

Being portfolio holder for communications will add a “special responsibility allowance” of £8,927 to her basic councillor’s allowance of £15,869 per year.