Salford City Council’s leading Labour group has unveiled a new leadership team after the party suffered heavy defeats in the 7 May local elections.
Salford Mayor Paul Dennett announced changes to his top team as part of a cabinet reshuffle in his tenth year in the post.
Dennett, who won re-election for a third term in May 2024, leads the Labour Party, which controls 34 of the 60 seats in the council chamber.
But the group’s long-standing dominance was tested at the ballot box as Reform UK went from one seat on the authority to 14.
Dennett’s former deputy mayor, Jack Youd, was one of the most notable Labour casualties on the night as he lost his Walkden North seat to Reform candidate Miles Alexander Henderson.
Eccles councillor Mike McCusker has stepped into the deputy mayor role while continuing to work as the Lead Member for Planning, Transport, Sustainable Development and Regeneration.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “I would like to welcome new Councillors to the wider Mayoral Team.
“These changes reflect the breadth of skills, experience and dedication we have across our Councillors and combines strong leadership with deep knowledge, ensuring we can continue to deliver for our communities in Salford and give a balanced, city-wide representation so that every part of our city is heard and supported.”
The cabinet reshuffle means that Mayor Dennett’s top team now includes:
– Paul Dennett, City Mayor and Lead for Housing and Anti-Poverty.
Lead Members
– Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health.
– Councillor Mike McCusker, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Planning, Transport, Sustainable Development and Regeneration.
– Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services.
– Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety.
– Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure.
– Councillor Michele Barnes, Lead Member for Skills and Work and Workforce and Industrial Relations.
– Councillor Phil Cusack, Lead Member for Corporate Services.
Executive Support Members
– Councillor Joshua Brooks, Executive Support Member for Housing and Anti-poverty.
– Councillor Jane Hamilton, Executive Support Member for Social Care and Public Health.
– Councillor Wilson Nkurunziza, Executive Support Member for Equalities and VCFSE Strategy.
– Councillor Charlotte Youd, Executive Support for Children’s and Young People’s Services.
– Councillor James Prady, Executive Support for Corporate Services and Skills and Work.
