QUESTIONS have been raised following a mystery handover of a portfolio at Braintree Council.

The responsibility for health across the district has changed hands after it was revealed at a cabinet meeting that Jo Beavis had left the cabinet.

Councillor for Three Fields, Peter Tattersley, will be taking over from the Hedingham councillor, who had been cabinet member for health and communities since 2007.

Despite being contacted last Wednesday, the council did not reveal whether Mrs Beavis resigned or was replaced.

Mrs Beavis, who lives in Gosfield, also said she did not wish to comment.

Council leader Graham Butland would only say that he welcomed Mr Tattersley’s appointment.

Laurence Carter, Gosfield councillor, said the parish council had not been kept in the loop.

He said: "I don't know anything official, we are none the wiser.

"She seems to have good ideas and whether people agree on her politics or not is another kettle of fish.

"Somebody somewhere has made the decision and they are changing things around and if no one is going to give an indication as to what might be happening then it's one of those things.

"There's not much you can do, as frustrating as it is."

Jackie Pell, leader of the Halstead Residents' Association, said she had no knowledge of what was going on.

She said it was "a leader's decision to make", and "would not have been kept in the loop".

Married father-of-one Mr Tattersley, from Great Bardfield, said: “I was born in South Yorkshire but I have lived in the district for 35 years.

“Having been Deputy Cabinet Member for Health & Communities for five years I know and enjoy this portfolio.

“I will be looking at how we as a district council can encourage resi- dents to live healthier, happier and more independent lives through good planning, investment in health cen- tres and open spaces and via health campaigning work to tackle some of the big health issues in our district.

“Personally I enjoy keeping active by walking, gardening and travelling but like most people I could do more.

I look forward to the role and doing what I can to help residents live well in healthy and resilient communities.”

Mr Tattersley’s background is in environmental health, looking at how environmental influences can affect human health and disease.

Bill Rose, the deputy cabinet member for economic development, who was previously a non-voting member of the Cabinet, has becomes a full voting member.