The Preston Model now has a dedicated cabinet member responsible for driving it forward.

Preston City Council’s Labour leader unveiled the cabinet positions during a meeting of the city council on Wednesday (15 May) evening.

Councillor Matthew Brown confirmed the number of cabinet members was being increased by one, with councillor Freddie Bailey taking a cabinet role.

The 23-year-old was first elected in College ward last year and then helped lead Labour to a clean sweep of an enlarged Garrison ward in Fulwood during this month’s local elections.

Cllr Brown confirmed Cllr Bailey was the new cabinet member for Community Wealth Building.

Read more: What we learned during the Preston local elections 2019

Cllr Bailey said: “I am so happy to be appointed to this new role and I will work hard to keep improving Preston, the city I am proud of.

“It’s also amazing I have been given this opportunity as a 23 year old as I want more young people involved in politics and have a big say in their future.

“Politically, Preston has been put on the map because of our ideas and the Preston Model. I want to ensure that Preston becomes a hub for new inventive political ideas that leads the way rather than follow. That’s how I view my new role.”

There’s also a return to the cabinet for former Labour interim leader councillor Robert Boswell as cabinet member for the environment.

Liberal Democrat leader councillor John Potter criticised the creation of a new cabinet role.

Now the joint-opposition on the city council after drawing level with the Conservatives on seats the Lib Dems hit out at the Labour group.

They said: “The Preston Lib Dems have consistently argued for the reduction in the number of Councillors to reduce costs and match the reduction in size of Preston City Council. Labour, however, have increased the size of their paid cabinet positions once again.

“We believe if there are only four executive officers of the Council then the cabinet should reflect this with only four cabinet members. We find it unbelievable that Labour have decided to pay themselves more at the taxpayers expense.”

Read more: Labour retain their grip on power in all-out elections in Preston

The full cabinet

Leader – Councillor Matthew Brown
Deputy leader and cabinet member for planning and regulation – Councillor Peter Moss
Cabinet member for resources and performance – Councillor Martyn Rawlinson
Cabinet member for community wealth building – Councillor Freddie Bailey
Cabinet member for environment – Councillor Robert Boswell
Cabinet member for culture and leisure services – Councillor Peter Kelly
Cabinet member for communities and social justice – Councillor Nweeda Khan