Top team is shaken up at the council's HQ

HYNDBURN'S council boss has shaken up his top team including promoting the ruling Labour group's youngest councillor with an eye to his being a future leader of the local authority.

- BY BILL JACOBS Local Democracy Reporter

Cllr Munsif Dad, 64, has rejigged his cabinet after deputy leader Cllr Noordad Aziz was chosen as the borough's deputy mayor for 2025/26 and first citizen designate for 2026/27.

He also took the opportunity of the reshuffle to move Rishton ward’s Cllr Kate Walsh from the top team to chair of the council's special scrutiny committee.

Most of her responsibilities are taken over by her fellow ward councillor 20-year-old Ethan Rawcliffe as the new people and communities boss whom Cllr Dad tipped as a potential future leader of the council.

Clayton-le-Moors Cllr Melissa Fisher is confirmed as statutory deputy leader responsible for housing and regeneration.

Spring Hill ward’s Cllr Kimberley Whitehead is promoted to second deputy leader responsible for culture, heritage and arts.