New Lancashire Reform cabinet has three from county's East

The Ribble Valley South West representative was formally appointed as LCC's political boss at the giant authority's full council meeting this afternoon.

County Cllr Atkinson used the meeting to name his cabinet, which includes three county councillors from East Lancashire electoral divisions.

They are:

• Clitheroe's County Cllr Warren Goldsworthy as cabinet member for highways and transport,
• Whitworth and Bacup's County Cllr Daniel Matchett as cabinet member for health and wellbeing, and
• Ribble Valley North-East's County Cllr Ged Mirfin as cabinet member for resources, human resources and property.

The other appointments by County Cllr Atkinson, a former Conservative leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council, are:

• Skelmersdale Central's County Cllr Simon Evans as deputy leader and cabinet member for children and families;
• Lancaster Rural North's County Cllr Graham Dalton as cabinet member for adult social care;
• Fylde South's County Cllr David Dwyer as cabinet member for IT and data;
• Morecambe South's County Cllr Brian Moore as cabinet member for economic development and growth;
• Fylde East's County Cllr Joshua Roberts as cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities; and 
• Wyre Rural Central's County Cllr Matthew Salter as cabinet member for education and skills.

County Cllr Atkinson said: “I am incredibly proud to be the new leader of the county council and very much looking forward to my new role and getting down to business.

"I will be ably assisted by my cabinet, which is filled with people who come from a wide range of backgrounds and have a huge wealth of experience in their chosen careers.

"Sitting around my cabinet table will be councillors who have decades of experience in areas such as children's services, education, health, economic development and expertise in digital industries.

"Together we will be working hard to serve the people of Lancashire and tackling the issues which are most important to residents."

However, the new administration has drawn criticism from opponents for a lack of diversity in its top team, with none of its nine female councillors being appointed to cabinet.