Caerphilly County Borough Council’s new leader, Cllr Philippa Marsden, has announced who will serve in her new cabinet.
Cllr Marsden took over the top job from Cllr Barbara Jones, who served on an interim basis for two months following the resignation of Cllr Dave Poole.
Ynysddu ward councillor Marsden, who became leader in November, has named a relatively unchanged cabinet.
In total, the number of cabinet members has been reduced from nine to eight, with no new faces entering the cabinet.
However, the roles of each cabinet member have been tweaked by Cllr Marsden, who said: “I have reconfigured the cabinet in order to better respond to the priorities, opportunities and pressures facing the council both now and in the future.
“As well as reviewing the roles, I have also agreed to reduce the number of cabinet members from nine to eight by keeping one of the posts vacant until the end of the financial year, at which time I will review the position.
“This will help contribute to our financial savings and sends out a clear message that we are all doing our bit to deliver efficiencies.
“This revised structure will provide cabinet with a renewed focus and will better serve the needs of the organisation and our residents going forward.”
The cabinet members are as followed:
Cllr Barbara Jones – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education & Achievement
Cllr Jones, who served as interim leader from September to November, served as deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, performance and governance under Cllr Poole’s leadership.
Cllr Jones will now serve as cabinet member for education and achievement – a position previously held by Cllr Marsden.
Cllr Sean Morgan – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transportation & Sustainability
Cllr Morgan’s previous cabinet role was as member for economy, infrastructure and sustainability.
He was also the Wellbeing of Future Generations Champion.
He remains as deputy leader.
Cllr Colin Gordon – Cabinet Member for Corporate Services
Cllr Gordon’s role in the cabinet is unchanged.
Cllr Eluned Stenner – Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance & Planning
Cllr Stenner served as cabinet member for the environment and public protection under the leaderships of Cllr Poole and Cllr Jones.
Cllr Nigel George – Cabinet Member for Environment & Neighbourhood Services
Cllr George stays in charge of neighbourhood services, but adds the environment to his portfolio.
Cllr Carl Cuss – Cabinet Member for Social Care & Wellbeing
Cllr Cuss’s role within the cabinet remains the same as it has been under the previous leadership.
Cllr Lisa Phipps – Cabinet Member for Homes, Places & Tourism
Cllr Phipps remains in charge of homes and places, with tourism now added to her brief.