THE new leader of Dorset County Council has announced his cabinet a month after taking charge.

Cllr Robert Gould replaced Spencer Flower who stood down last month after being charged with criminal offences.

And Cllr Gould has axed Toni Coombs from the controversial communications portfolio.

She is replaced by Cllr Robin Cook in the role of cabinet member for corporate development.

However Cllr Coombs retains her position as education portfolio holder on the cabinet.

Other changes to the cabinet concern the portfolio for economy and growth, which has been assigned to Cllr Colin Jamieson, formerly the cabinet member for public health and community.

One Tory councillor said Cllr Coombs, who is married to Cllr Flower, has paid the price for "a poor performance" in the job, especially over the Chartwells free school meals fiasco.

She was criticised for misleading the Echo over when Dorset County Council knew about the fire that damaged the catering firm kitchen facility at Ferndown.

The blaze and other issues led to chaos in the first week of term last September.

Cllr Coombs first told the Echo DCC was only informed at the start of term.

She later admitted the council has been told back in June, days after the blaze.

She said she had “forgotten.”

Cllr Rebecca Knox continues her role as cabinet member for communities, health and well-being, with Peter Finney also retaining the environment portfolio and Cllr Jill Haynes, holding adult and community services.

Cllr Gould, who became leader in December 2014, will also have responsibility for budget and financial matters.

He said: "We face major financial challenges for some time to come and the Cabinet needs to work closely as a team to steer the council through this.

"Local people told us, through the Ask Dorset roadshows last year, what their priorities are and we need to respond to those actively and positively.

"The new portfolios for community, health and wellbeing and economy and growth clearly reflect important areas of focus for us - they both make a vital contribution to improving life for people in Dorset.

"By reorganising the responsibilities I am giving new momentum to our plans to transform the council and the way it works for the benefit of everyone in Dorset."

And Cllr Robin Cook said: "I feel privileged to be selected for this challenging position on the Cabinet. This role will benefit from my years of experience working in the private sector, particularly in the field of managing and delivering first class customer service.

"That background suits the transformation work that is needed across the council in the future."

*Cllr Flower is to appear in court on three charges of failing to declare an interest in planning matters in East Dorset.