A council cabinet member has stepped down from his position citing a difference in direction with the leader.

Conservative councillor William Smith has resigned from his role as executive member for internal governance on Breckland Council.

He said the move came because of 'a difference of emphasis of direction with the leader'.

Mr Smith said: 'I think things can be done to the better advantage of the people of Breckland and the Conservative party.'

He still plans to stand for the Conservatives at the elections next year and will continue as a Breckland councillor.

Mr Smith is the councillor for the All Saints ward which encompasses Great Ellingham, Little Ellingham, Rocklands and Scoulton.

Council leader Michael Wassell said: 'He resigned as is his opportunity to do.

'He had been a member of the cabinet for a long time, many years, and he decided he wanted to do other things.'

Despite the resignation Mr Wassell said there was no plan to directly replace Mr Smith.

He said: 'We will not replace him.

'His responsibilities have been shared out among the other members of the cabinet.'

What do you think of the changes to Breckland Council's cabinet? Write to Doug Faulkner at doug.faulkner@archant.co.uk