THE Conservative leader of Swindon Borough Council has named his new cabinet in a post-election reshuffle.

Councillor David Renard has shaken things up in a bid to bring what he termed “a mixture of experience and innovation” to the top table.

Priory Vale councillor Toby Elliott, a popular figure among members of all parties, has stood down due to “personal commitments” and Ridgeway councillor Gary Sumner has been chosen to pick up the strategic planning portfolio in Coun Elliott’s stead.

Coun Fionuala Foley, having been the cabinet member for children’s services and school attainment for five years, will be taking on the highways and environment portfolio. The previous cabinet member for that area, Coun Mary Martin, will move to Coun Foley’s old role.

But the move has been strongly criticised by the opposition.

Jim Grant, leader of the Labour Group, said: “I’m not sure of Coun Mary Martin’s qualifications to be cabinet member for children’s services but she has a big job on her hands, with many secondary schools still underachieving and increasing numbers of children coming in to care.”

But Coun Renard defended his choice, citing Coun Martin’s experience as a councillor and a mother as evidence that she is the right person for the job.

Coun Garry Perkins will be stepping down from the cabinet in September and he will be working until then with Coun Dale Heenan, who will thereafter take on the newly named town centre portfolio.

The delay is to ensure what Coun Renard described as “a smooth handover period”.

He added: “The cabinet team I have appointed brings a mixture of experience and innovation that will drive the council towards delivering the vision, priorities and pledges as well as managing the demand for personalised social care services.

“We will do all this while still keeping council tax as low and affordable as possible.”

But Coun Grant compared the reshuffle to “shuffling the chairs on the Titanic”. He said: “It won’t make any difference to the final outcome.”

Other cabinet roles remain the same: Coun Russell Holland stays as deputy leader and the member responsible for finance; Coun Cathy Martyn retains the housing brief; Coun Brian Ford remains responsible for adult social care; Coun Oliver Donachie retains the economy portfolio; and Coun Keith Williams stays on in corporate and customer services.