Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby announces cabinet

Sir Peter said the team has 'a wealth and depth of experience, skills and ability'

Leicester's first elected mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has announced his cabinet.

Sir Peter, who recently stepped down as the Labour MP for Leicester South, beat the other 10 mayoral candidates after winning more than 50% of the votes.

The cabinet will consist of a deputy mayor and six assistant mayors.

Sir Peter said the new line-up was "a talented team that will help lead Leicester into a new era" and faced "significant challenges".

'Self-confident city'

He said: "Top of our agenda is jobs, investment, public transport, health, housing, green spaces and a fair deal for the city's workforce.

"This is the first time in the city's history there has been an elected mayor and because of this, we have the eyes of the country upon us and what we do.

"We face significant challenges and my new team and I are looking forward to making real progress over the next four years making Leicester a strong, proud and self-confident city."

He added that, for the next few weeks, cabinet members would not have portfolios or specific departmental responsibilities - but would instead work together as a team.

Councillor Rory Palmer will be deputy Mayor and Councillor Ted Cassidy, Councillor Piara Singh Clair, Councillor Mohammed Dawood, Councillor Vi Dempster, Councillor Sarah Russell and Councillor Manjula Sood will be assistant mayors.

Sir Peter said they had "a wealth and depth of experience, skills and ability".

Plans for an elected mayor in the city were approved by the Labour-controlled council in December.

In his mayoral role, Sir Peter will have the power to initiate policies across council services.