SWINDON'S new Conservative cabinet has two new members and one entirely new post – a representative for levelling up.

After a successful local election and winning a leadership challenge this week, council leader David Renard has made something of a reshuffle.

His former deputy Russell Holland – who challenged him for the top job – leaves the cabinet.

His responsibilities for finance go to Keith Williams, who retains his role as the cabinet member for climate change.

Education and skills are part of the levelling up portfolio given to new cabinet member Tim Swinyard.

Coun Swinyard’s job includes: “Improving living standards across the borough; setting direction to enable Swindon has the range of vocational and higher education opportunities necessary to meet the future needs of employers; political leadership through the Swindon Challenge Board in raising school attainment and work with the lead members for strategic planning and housing to raise the provision and quality of the built environment."

The other new member of the cabinet is Kevin Parry, who served as mayor of the town in 2019-20.

He takes the responsibility for waste collection and management and highways from Maureen Penny, who stepped down as a councillor at the local elections.

Coun Renard’s new deputy leader is Gary Sumner, who will keep his job in charge of strategic infrastructure, transport and planning.

All the other members of the cabinet remain in the posts they already held.

Rob Jandy is responsible for organisational excellence, Dale Heenan for culture heritage and leisure, children’s services are overseen by Mary Martin, Brian Ford continues running health and adults’ services and Cathy Martyn is in charge of housing and public safety.

As well as leading the cabinet and council Coun Renard has responsibility for growing the economy and the borough’s response to and recovery from Covid-19.

It is believed Coun Swinyard’s appointment is the first local authority cabinet post created specifically to align with the government’s levelling up agenda.

There is no increase in the number of cabinet members at 10.