A former deputy leader of Shropshire Council has been forced further out into the cold at the Shirehall after being replaced on a series of committees.

But Councillor Peter Nutting told the full council yesterday that he wanted to assure people that he was still a member and had a lot of work to do in the Copthorne ward of Shrewsbury that he represents.

He lost his cabinet seat last month and had been portfolio holder for assets and performance.

Councillor Nutting is believed to have been sacked from the executive of the Tory-run council by leader Keith Barrow over what was seen as a challenge to Councillor Barrow’s authority.

At the time Councillor Barrow said that in looking at the challenges that lay ahead for Shropshire, he had reviewed both the make-up and individual responsibilities of cabinet members.

This was to ensure the council had a strong team which would be able to provide the community leadership necessary to improve the quality of life of all local people.

Councillor Nutting, who was leader of the former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council which opposed the county’s switch to unitary status, did not comment on losing his cabinet post.

But at yesterday’s meeting he said he would be working hard for a new community centre for Copthorne and would continue to push for a university for Shropshire and improved broadband access.

Councillor Nutting then asked if the leader could confirm that he (Councillor Barrow) had asked for him to removed from the committees of outside bodies.

The speaker, David Lloyd, said this was an issue for Councillor Barrow to reply to on a personal basis to Councillor Nutting, not in the meeting.

The council confirmed the appointment of members to replace Councillor Nutting on council committees, the PFI task group, the increasing physical activity in Shropshire member challenge panel, the political structures monitoring group, and the early retirement panel.