Council leader announces cabinet reshuffle

Caerphilly County Borough Council leader Philippa Marsden has announced a reshuffle of her top team.

Councillor Marsden made the announcement at the council’s annual general meeting on Thursday (September 3).

Nelson councillor Sean Morgan will stay on as deputy leader and keeps his role as the cabinet member for economy and enterprise.

Several cabinet members will stay in their roles, including Cllr Colin Gordon, Cllr Eluned Stenner, Cllr Carl Cuss and Cllr Lisa Phipps.

Cllr Barbara Jones has been replaced as the cabinet member for education by Risca West councillor Ross Whiting, with the role rebranded as cabinet member for learning and achievement.

Cllr John Ridgewell, who represents the Ynysddu ward, is also joining the cabinet, taking over the environment and infrastructure role from Cllr Nigel George.

Cllr George will remain in the cabinet, taking on the waste and public protection role.

Cllr Marsden said: “We are facing unprecedented challenges at the moment and I need to ensure that the cabinet has the right people with the right responsibilities to ensure that we can focus on supporting the council and the needs of our community.

“As part of this review I have also agreed to reinstate one additional cabinet position which has been held vacant over recent months.”

Cllr Marsden added: “We are one of the largest local authorities in Wales with a bold and ambitious improvement programme ahead of us, therefore it is clear that we need strong, focused leadership.

“I’m confident that we now have the right cabinet structure in place to achieve this.”

During the meeting, it was also revealed that Bargoed councillor Carol Andrews would become the new mayor of Caerphilly County Borough, replacing Cllr Julian Simmonds, whose term as mayor had come to an end.