A RESHUFFLE of Bolton Council’s cabinet has taken place following the appointment of Cllr Martyn Cox as leader.

Cllr Cox was elected to lead the authority at last week’s meeting of the full council after the tragic death of Cllr David Greenhalgh.

Cabinet members lead various areas of the authority ­— and the new appointments were made today.

Under the changes Cllr Hilary Fairclough becomes deputy leader of Bolton Council and cabinet member for culture, Cllr Adele Warren will head up development and regeneration, with Cllr Nadim Muslim taking over as cabinet member for environmental services.

Cllr Mudasir Dean has been appointed cabinet member for stronger communities, which includes crime and community services, and Cllr Maureen Flitcroft will chair Bolton Council’s licensing committee.

Cllr Andy Morgan’s portfolio covering adult social care now also includes homelessness.

Cllr Cox, will continue to oversee the regeneration of the town centre.

He said: “I think it is a really good team.

“It is a very strong group of individuals who are perfectly aligned with their portfolios in that they have had a lot of experience in the areas they are covering,” he added.

Cllr Cox said:“Andy Morgan has a care home, Toby Hewitt who is cabinet member for planning works for a civil engineering company, Hilary Fairclough is interested in culture and I could go on and on ­- Susan Baines is a former midwife and leads the health and wellbeing portfolio.

He added: “There is nobody in the cabinet who is doing a portfolio for which they have not already had a lot experience ­- that is quite rare.”

Cllr Stuart Haslam remains cabinet member for highways and transport, and Cllr Baines is still the cabinet member for health and wellbeing.

Cllr Greenhalgh leader of Bolton Council, died suddenly at age of 53 on July 29.

A civic funeral was held on August 30. Cllr Greenhalgh’s death deeply shocked and saddened the town, and tributes to him poured in from all walks of life.