SANDWELL'S top table overseeing the borough has been announced, with only one change from last year's cabinet.

Cllr Bill Gavan has been prompted to cabinet member for leisure, replacing his former Labour colleague Richard Marshall.

Mr Marshall stepped down from the council and the cabinet in November last year after claims he posted offensive messages about colleagues on social media.

His replacement, a relative newcomer to the council having been first elected in 2014, will now have responsibility for leisure, parks and sports centres in the borough.

Cllr Gavan will take the lead in delivering a £60 million aquatics centre to be built on playing fields in Londonderry Lane, Smethwick, as part of the 2020 Commonwealth Games.

The centre will feature an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 25-metre diving pool with 5,000 spectator seats and will be a central part of the sporting event.

Cllr Steve Eling will remain as leader of the council and supported by:

  • Deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for neighbourhoods and communities – Councillor Syeda Khatun
  • Cabinet member for children's services – Councillor Simon Hackett
  • Cabinet member for core council services – Councillor Steve Trow
  • Cabinet member for highways and environment – Councillor David Hosell
  • Cabinet member for housing – Councillor Kerrie Carmichael
  • Cabinet member for leisure – Councillor Bill Gavan
  • Cabinet member for public health and protection – Councillor Elaine Costigan
  • Cabinet member for regeneration and economic investment – Councillor Paul Moore
  • Cabinet member for social care – Councillor Ann Shackleton