HE quit dramatically six years ago as deputy leader, returned last year as scrutiny committee chairman and last night Councillor Pop Jolley was back in the Cabinet of Fenland District Council.

Cllr Jolley has been handed the key job of leisure, tourism and markets and will be instrumental in a radical overhaul to Fenland’s leisure centres including finding the cash for a major new complex for March.

Council Leader Alan Melton said: “Pop will bring drive, entrepreneurial zeal and enthusiasm to this role. He will also seek to inject more vigour into our markets.”

One of his first, and unexpected, tasks will be to look at ways and means of co-operating with East Cambs District Council over a possible rescue bid for Mepal Outdoor Centre.

Earlier in the week the centre announced it was under threat of closure after a dramatic drop in income and a poor summer.

Cllr Melton also announced Chatteris councillor John Chambers is to replace Cllr Jolley as chairman of the overview and scrutiny committee.

Councillor Mac Cotterell has taken a lesser role becoming special adviser to the leader and responsible for special projects. His role overseeing Wisbech Port and the Nene waterfront passes to deputy leader Councillor Chris Seaton.

Councillor Ralph Butcher has been tasked with delivering community transport and championing the A605 Whittlesey by pass whilst Councillor David Oliver is no longer the portfolio holder for Wisbech. Instead he takes on the ICT role at Fenland Hall “driving the council towards a paperless organisation” said Cllr Melton.

Councillor Steve Garratt, who previously looked after leisure, stays in Cabinet in a new role of promoting children and young people’s issues. He retains the sports development brief.

Other changes include Councillor Michael Humphrey joining the planning committee to replace the late Ken Peachey.