Morgan Jones ward councillor Shayne Cook has been appointed to Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet.

Cllr Cook will replace Twyn Carno ward councillor Carl Cuss as the cabinet member for social care.

Cllr Cook said: “I am looking forward to beginning my new role and I will strive to meet the challenges posed at this key time.

“I will work hard for Caerphilly Borough residents to ensure they have good access to health and social care.”

He added: “I recognise and value the vital role that health and social care staff provide to some of the most elderly and vulnerable people across the community and I look forward to supporting them in my new position.”

Cllr Cook has worked in the NHS for the past six years, with his current role involving the complaints process within the primary care and community division at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Cllr Philippa Marsden, leader of the council, welcomed Cllr Cook to the cabinet and said: “I look forward to working closely with him and the other cabinet members on our significant and challenging agenda going forward.”

Cllr Cuss stepped down from the post earlier this month after pictures emerged of him allegedly not social distancing.

The picture, which was taken on a boat in the Czech Republic in August, shows Cllr Cuss with three friends, including Cardiff councillor Peter Wong.

Cllr Wong told BBC Wales that he was of the belief that the group had followed the rules that were in place in the Czech Republic.