THERE will be one fewer member of the Council’s decision-making executive this year.

Six Labour councillors, rather than seven, will be making key decisions about education, regeneration, social care and infrastructure, among other matters, on the Council’s most powerful committee.

It means the opposition Conservative frontbenchers will also be reduced by one, saving about £30,000 in total.

Yesterday, Council leader Councillor David Green told the Telegraph & Argus the money saved would be used to create new assistant executive roles.

He said the details were being finalised, but the idea was to develop new talent, “so that if for any reason, vacancies occur, or we all go over a quarry in a minibus or something, there will be people with the experience to step into place”.

Conservative group leader Councillor Simon Cooke said he would reserve judgement about the new arrangements, but said he had concerns that while executive members sat on a public committee, the new assistant executives could be a bit “shadowy”.

New to the executive this year will be Councillor Imran Khan (Bowling and Barkerend) and Councillor Arshad Hussain (Toller).

Also staying on the executive will be Councillor Green (Wibsey), new deputy council leader Councillor Val Slater (Royds), Councillor Ralph Berry (Wibsey) and finally Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe (Windhill and Wrose).

Their areas of responsibility are still being finalised.

Councillor Andrew Thornton (Royds), previously executive member for the environment, sport and sustainability, has stepped down to concentrate on work commitments.

Cllr Green paid tribute to Cllr Thornton’s work on the executive, saying he had been “a valuable member of the council team”.

Councillor Imran Hussain (Toller) stepped down as deputy council leader and executive member for safer and stronger communities after he was elected as the new MP for Bradford East.

And Amir Hussain, formerly executive member for adult services, has not been re-elected as a councillor this year.