The new leader of Bolton Council has appointed a new-look cabinet to lead the borough through at least the next 12 months.

Cllr Nick Peel has chosen eight of the councillors from the 26-strong Labour Group which is now the largest group on the authority.

The new-look cabinet is smaller than the one appointed by the former leader of the council, Cllr Martyn Cox, with some roles tweaked.

The adult's services portfolio is combined with the health and wellbeing portfolio and housing and planning is combined with highways and transport, while there is the creation of a cabinet member for culture.

READ MORE: Bolton Council leader confirmed as Nick Peel at town hall.

Perhaps the biggest change to these roles is the creation of a cabinet member for climate change. It is understood Richard Silvester is set to possess a second sign-off on the decisions of the rest of the cabinet.

Cllr Peel said the climate crisis was a priority in an interview after his appointment this week, as well as the regeneration of the town centre and an increase in transparency to the point where his administration is "the most open in Bolton Council's history".

He said: "We're not saying we've got all the answers to things. We've got a particular programme, a particular manifesto, but we rely on advice and we won't be afraid of asking for the advice. 

"That's our priority. I won't be afraid of having advisors around me even if I don't like what they're saying."

READ MORE: Great Lever councillor becomes Mayor of Bolton at town hall.

At a meeting at the town hall this week, a motion was proposed for "Cllr Peel to be appointed leader of the council until the annual meeting of the council in May 2024 or until such time as the council removes him from office". The motion was opened to debate, but not one person spoke for or against it.

Given the 26-strong Labour Group is the largest group on the authority, but without a majority, it was in need of support from other parties in the vote.

This support came from the councillors for Horwich and Blackrod, who voted to abstain, and the councillors for One Kearsley, who voted to approve.

The Conservative Group, the Liberal Democrats, Farnworth and Kearsley and independent Derek Bullock all opposed.

Here is Cllr Peel's cabinet:
Leader (and Corporate) – Nick Peel
Deputy Leader (and Regeneration) – Akhtar Zaman
Adult's Services, Health and Wellbeing – Linda Thomas
Children's Services – Martin Donaghy
Climate Change and Environmental Services – Richard Silvester
Culture – Nadeem Ayub
Planning, Housing and Highways – Hamid Khurram
Regulatory Services – Sue Haworth
Stronger Communities – Rabiya Jiva