The leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council Councillor Ian Brookfield has welcomed a new Cabinet Member as the council pledges to do all it can to improve the lives of residents.

Councillor Brookfield confirmed his new Cabinet at a meeting of the Full Council last night (18 May).

Councillor Chris Burden, ward councillor for Fallings Park, has become Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work.

Councillor Brookfield said: “I am delighted to welcome Councillor Burden to the Cabinet.

“He has trained and worked as a teacher in schools across the Black Country and is a strong believer in education and providing a better future for our young people.

“He joins a hardworking and committed Cabinet who are all ready to face the year ahead. We have great ambitions for our city and we are positive about the work we are doing, but we are also realistic about the challenges we face.

“Our priorities include doing all we can to support those affected by the cost of living crisis, we want to work to improve youth employment and put strategies in place to deal with climate change.

“We also want to celebrate those events happening in our city, including the Commonwealth Games cycling time trial, the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the fantastic refurbishment of our Civic Halls.”

Members of the Cabinet confirmed last night are:

  • Councillor Stephen Simkins (Deputy Leader Inclusive City Economy)
  • Councillor Obaida Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City)
  • Councillor Paula Brookfield (Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities) 
  • Councillor Chris Burden (Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work) 
  • Councillor Steve Evans (Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change)
  • Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal (Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing) 
  • Councillor Jasbir Jaspal (Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing)
  • Councillor Linda Leach (Cabinet Member for Adult Services) 
  • Councillor Beverley Momenabadi (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People)

In his role as Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, Councillor Burden replaces Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre who has become Deputy Mayor for 2022 to 2023.

Last night’s meeting also saw Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE make history by becoming the first person of African Caribbean heritage to become Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton.