Conservative councillors on Bolton's new executive cabinet

There will be ten redefined portfolios under the Tories if Cllr David Greenhalgh is elected council leader next week as agreed.

Half of the new cabinet were elected as councillors only last year with the remaining roles taken by senior front-benchers.

The culture and sport role will be scrapped and environmental services will be split in two.

Cllr Greenhalgh said: “Clearly, these appointments are pending approval from the meeting of full council this coming Wednesday, but I feel I have put together a cabinet with real expertise, made up of some well-established experienced councillors and some new talent.”

The incoming council leader told The Bolton News that he hopes his team will take the town in a new direction with a new set of priorities.

He will appoint the councillors after he is elected council leader by all members of all parties except for Labour which is still the largest party at the council.

These smaller parties have not asked for positions on the cabinet but instead, signed a 25-point agreement together with the Tories setting out their priorities for the year ahead.

The Tory leader added: “We won’t change for change sake, and we will govern openly and transparently. Our borough has a number of challenges, which aren’t going to be solved overnight. But I believe I have put together a team committed to addressing those challenges head on, in order to deliver a Bolton we can all be proud of, and where all residents feel engaged, empowered and included.”

Like the current leader, Cllr Linda Thomas, the new leader will have the strategic decisions portfolio.

He will also take on the corporate resources portfolio, currently belonging to Cllr Akhtar Zaman.

His deputy, Cllr Martyn Cox will take on the development and regeneration portfolio as his Labour predecessor, Cllr Ebrahim Adia, has done.

But he will take on sport and cultural services responsibilities as part of his portfolio.

Cllr Greenhalgh promised that his administration will still be "going heavy" on sport and culture.

He said: "A lot of the cultural offer, for example the Octagon Theatre development, and tourism is linked to redevelopment and regeneration so it sits comfortably there."

The youngest councillor in Bolton, Cllr Nadim Muslim, has also been given a role.

The 25-year-old, who was elected last year, will lead on the council's digitalisation strategy.

His "stronger communities" portfolio will also cover neighbourhood safety and community cohesion.

Cllr Greenhalgh said: "Councils need to work smarter and Bolton is behind, compared to other councils, on their digital agenda, and to have an Executive Member where this is prioritised in their brief, is long overdue.”

Horwich and Blackrod councillor Susan Baines will be given the new "wellbeing" portfolio which will prioritise issues of deprivation and health inequalities.

She will oversee public health and health integration and lead on the council's anti-poverty strategy.

Veteran councillor Andy Morgan will look after the adult's services portfolio and Cllr Christine Wild will look after children's services portfolio.

Meanwhile, Hulton councillor Toby Hewitt will be the executive cabinet member for strategic housing and planning.

The environmental services portfolio, currently taken by Cllr Nick Peel, has been split between delivery of frontline services and regulatory services.

These will be given to councillors Adele Warren and Anne Galloway respectively.

Cllr Greenhalgh said: “The environment portfolio was huge, and I believe it is right that there is a cabinet member whose sole responsibility is the quality delivery of those front line services and another cabinet member who is solely responsible for the regulatory side, such as licensing, trading standards, environmental health, clean air proposals etc.”

Cllr Stuart Haslam will become the executive cabinet member for highways and transport, taking over from Cllr David Chadwick who lost his seat this year.

The Conservatives will nominate two committee chairs, offering three to Labour.

Cllr John Walsh will be nominated as chair of planning and Cllr Paul Wild for licensing with Cllr Mudasir Dean as his vice-chair.

Cllr Bob Allen will be appointed to the Bolton At Home board.