Two new faces join Leicester mayoral team after Councillor Adam Clarke quit

Leicester City Council has had a shake-up of roles following the departure of Councillor Adam Clarke. Leicester City Council's executive team is made up of deputy and assistant mayors, along with elected city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby.

Each member of the team is responsible for monitoring spending and delivering on priorities across a range of specific responsibilities, such as adult and children's social care, housing and transport. Two new faces have now joined the executive.

Councillor Elaine Pantling is coming onboard as assistant city mayor for education and Councillor Geoff Whittle's new role is assistant city mayor for environment and transport. The changes have come about after Adam Clarke quit his role as deputy city mayor for climate, economy and culture last month.

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At the time, councillor Clarke said he would stay on as a ward councillor, and pledged to “continue to work as hard as” he could for the people living in his area. The changes also include a shake-up of some of the duties held by existing members of the team.

Councillor Elly Cutkelvin's role now includes economy with her responsibilities outlined as deputy city mayor for housing, economy and neighbourhoods. Councillor Sarah Russell's portfolio remains unchanged as deputy city mayor for social care, health and community safety.

Responsibility for education has transferred from Councillor Vi Dempster's portfolio to new assistant mayor Elaine Pantling. Coun Dempster will now cover assistant city mayor for culture, libraries and community centres.

Councillor Mustafa Malik remains on the team as assistant city mayor for communities, adult learning, jobs and skills, and Councillor Manjula Sood remains as assistant city mayor for community cohesion and High Bailiff. Coun Whittle's role covers assistant city mayor for environment and transport.

The team previously comprised of the city mayor, three deputy city mayors and three assistant mayors. Now, alongside the city mayor, there are two deputy mayors and five assistant mayors. The overall cost of the new structure has decreased as assistant mayors are paid less than a deputy.

The new executive on Leicester City Council and their responsibilities

Peter Soulsby, city mayor, regeneration, finance and resources

Responsible for:

• Strategic planning and regeneration

• Highways and transport (includes flood prevention)

• Street lighting

• Parking

• City centre and market

• Finance

• Property

• Legal

• HR

• Procurement

• Communications

• Digital, data and technology

• Constitution and elections

Councillor Sarah Russell, deputy city mayor for social care, health and community safety

Responsible for:

• Adult social care

• Children’s social care

• Health

• Early help

• Special educational needs and disabilities

• Welfare advice

• Resilience and emergency planning

• Community safety

• Mental health champion

• When required, in the absence of the City Mayor, to act as the formal and statutorily required Deputy City Mayor.

Councillor Elly Cutkelvin, deputy city mayor for housing, economy and neighbourhoods

Responsible for:

• Housing

• Asylum and migration

• Regulatory services, licensing and enforcement

• Waste and recycling

• Street cleaning

• Pollution control

• Planning and development control

• Inward investment

• Economic growth

• Bereavement services

• Heritage and conservation

Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, libraries and community centres

Responsible for:

• Museums

• Festivals and events

• Sport and leisure

• Tourism

• Customer services

• Parks, trees and woodlands

• Libraries and community centres

• Allotments and community growing

• Ward community funding

• Democratic services

Councillor Mustafa Malik, assistant city mayor for communities, adult learning, jobs and skills

Responsible for:

• Communities

• Adult learning

• Voluntary and community sector

• Jobs and skills

• Equalities

Councillor Elaine Pantling, assistant city mayor for education

Responsible for:

• Schools

• School admissions

Councillor Manjula Sood, assistant city mayor for community cohesion and High Bailiff

Responsible for:

• Community engagement

• Community cohesion

• Armed Forces Champion

Councillor Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport

Responsible for:

• Climate readiness and net zero

• Air quality

• Flood planning and water courses

• Active travel and public transport