City Mayor Paul Dennett has announced his new cabinet.
It will see two strategic assistant mayors abolished and replaced with two brand new posts. Paula Boshell will take the position of Statutory Deputy Mayor and focus on internal council and city issues. Councillor John Merry will be the new Deputy Mayor with an outward focus towards devolution, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and beyond.
And the new system will see Assistant Mayors replaced with seven Lead Members – each with their own areas of responsibility.
City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “The new cabinet has a wide range of experiences and specialities. Importantly, we have increased the representation of women councillors – an important step towards gender equality in council. The Statutory Deputy Mayor is Paula Boshell, who will be a real asset to this cabinet.
“Efforts will also be made to make sure that cabinet pay is fair and proportionate. The Remunerations Panel will review the system, with a view to reducing the Mayoral salary.”
The City Mayor has announced that an Independent Remuneration Panel will review the members allowances structure, including that of the Mayor.
The City Mayor continued: “I have given a lot of thought to creating a cabinet which represents what we stood for at the election. I want to emphasise that it has been selected on the basis of skill, experience and respective talents.
“Governing this city is a collective effort. We need to make the most of elected members and council officers to get the best results for Salford. I plan to make an impact for our city and its residents.
“Staff at the council are the backbone of our work and without their dedication and expertise, we could not function. For this reason, I want to make sure their voices are heard at every level of decision-making.”
The City Mayor finished: “I am confident that the team brings together the commitment, skills and experience needed to serve the people of Salford.”
The cabinet is as follows:
City Mayor – Paul Dennett*
Statutory Deputy City Mayor – Councillor Paula Boshell
Deputy City Mayor – Councillor John Merry
Lead member for Workforce and Industrial Relations – Councillor John Ferguson
Lead member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing – Councillor Tracy Kelly
Lead member for Children’s and Young People’s Services – Councillor Lisa Stone
Lead member for Planning and Sustainable Development – Councillor Derek Antrobus
Lead member for Finance and Support Services – Councillor Bill Hinds
Lead member for Housing and Neighbourhoods – Councillor Paul Longshaw
Lead member for Environment and Community Safety – Councillor David Lancaster
*note to media – Paul Dennett is no longer a councillor
Four executive support members will lead on Social Care and Mental Health; Transport; Culture, Leisure and Sports and Education and Learning – areas that require specialised attention and experience of elected members.
