THE leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has unveiled his new-look Cabinet.

Councillor Terri Reid has been promoted to the role of deputy leader of the borough council in Cllr Sander’s new decision-making Cabinet, after Ranil Jayawardena stood down as a councillor and deputy leader and was elected as the new MP for North East Hampshire at the General Election.

Cllr Reid will also continue in her role as Cabinet member for housing and regeneration.

She said: “I am excited and honoured to be taking on the role of deputy leader. Since joining the council five years ago, I have seen firsthand the dedication within the council to the services we deliver for our residents.

“I am totally committed to ensuring that we continue improving year on year. I want us to do all we can to make Basingstoke and Deane an even better place to live which reflects and enables the aspirations and ambitions of our residents.”

Another new face to the Cabinet is Cllr Robert Tate, a Conservative ward member for Baughurst and Tadley North.

Cllr Tate, who won a by-election seat in 2014 and was re-elected at this month's local election following a career as a senior executive at a Japanese multi-national electronics company, joins the Cabinet for the first time and will take on the portfolio responsible for communities, service delivery and improvement.

Cllr Robert Tate said: “I am honoured to be part of the Cabinet. I am really looking forward to the challenges this will bring and am excited to be able to take an active role in the next important phase of the development of our borough.”

Completing the Cabinet, Cllr John Izett will continue in his role as Cabinet member for finance and resources, Cllr Cathy Osselton remains the Cabinet member for partnerships and Cllr Mark Ruffell will return as the Cabinet member for planning and infrastructure.

Cllr Hayley Eachus will also remain as the council’s environment chief in her role as Cabinet member for regulatory services and the environment.

Council leader Cllr Clive Sanders said: “To maintain continuity and consistency, I have limited the changes to the Cabinet. I am glad to be joined by Cllr Terri Reid as deputy leader to help steer the borough towards an even more successful future.

"This is a team with a wealth of experience and skills in a wide range of different businesses and professions and years of service to local communities.

"I know they will all make a huge contribution to what is going to be a big year for the council - and a very busy one."

He added: "Our focus will be on ensuring everyone benefits from the borough rapidly strengthening its position as a powerhouse of the region’s economy, while giving our residents even better value for their council tax."

The first meeting of the new Cabinet takes place on Tuesday, June 23.