West Northamptonshire leadership reshuffled to drive local investment
West Northamptonshire Council has finalized its Cabinet for the upcoming municipal year, introducing a leadership reshuffle aimed at enhancing local services and economic growth. Cllr Mark Arnull, Leader of the Council, confirmed the appointments following the decision by Cllr James Petter to step down from his roles as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure.
New appointments to the executive team
Cllr Charlie Hastie has been promoted to Deputy Leader of the Council. He will balance this senior leadership responsibility alongside his existing role as Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities. The reshuffle also marks the entry of Cllr Kamala Guliyeva into the executive team.
Cllr Guliyeva, a Reform UK councillor representing the Daventry South ward, takes over the portfolio for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure. Her appointment brings a background in international business to the council’s leadership, including experience as a commercial and cost manager handling billion-pound budgets within the oil and gas industry.
Focus on investment and local culture
The new cabinet arrangements signal a continued focus on driving major investment into the West Northamptonshire region. Cllr Guliyeva has indicated a priority for promoting the area as a destination for leisure and culture, drawing on her previous experience as a volunteer at the Towcester Museum and Long Buckby Library. Most other cabinet portfolios remain unchanged from the previous term to maintain continuity in service delivery.
Full cabinet portfolio assignments
| Portfolio | Cabinet Member |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Council | Cllr Mark Arnull |
| Deputy Leader; Housing and Communities | Cllr Charlie Hastie |
| Local Economy, Culture and Leisure | Cllr Kamala Guliyeva |
| Children, Families and Education | Cllr Michael Stratton |
| HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services | Cllr Andrew Last |
| Finance | Cllr John Slope |
| Adult Care and Public Health | Cllr Laura Couse |
| Highways and Transport | Cllr Richard Butler |
| Environment, Recycling and Waste | Cllr Nigel Stansfield |
| Planning | Cllr Thomas Manning |
These confirmed arrangements, along with the structures for opposition groups, are scheduled for presentation at the Annual Council meeting on Thursday evening, 21 May. The session will also include the election of a new Chairman of the Council and the determination of committee memberships for the year ahead.
Source: West Northamptonshire Council
