A CABINET reshuffle has been announced at South Lakeland District Council.

It comes as new roles are created and personnel is changed.

Liberal Democrat councillor Matt Severn, who has represented Kendal Underley ward since 2014, takes on the newly-titled portfolio for culture, media and sport.

He replaces Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Hogg, who represents Kendal Castle ward, who held the portfolio for culture and wellbeing.

At the annual council meeting last night the full cabinet portfolio holders were confirmed as: Leader, Cllr Giles Archibald, portfolio holder for promoting South Lakeland, deputy leader, Cllr Sue Sanderson, portfolio holder for council organisation, people and wellbeing; Cllr Graham Vincent, portfolio holder for economy; Cllr David Fletcher, portfolio holder for the environment; Cllr Peter Thornton, portfolio holder for finance; Cllr Jonathan Brook, portfolio holder for housing and innovation; and Cllr Matt Severn, portfolio holder for culture, media and sport.

Councillor Ben Berry, who represents Windermere, Applethwaite, and Troutbeck continues as the leader of the Conservative Group at SLDC and the deputy leader continues to be Councillor Tom Harvey, who represents Grange South.

Other members of the shadow cabinet portfolio holders remain unchanged: Cllr Janette Jenkinson is shadow portfolio holder for economy; Cllr John Holmes, shadow portfolio holder for housing and innovation; Cllr David Williams, shadow portfolio holder for culture, media and sport; councillor James Airey, shadow portfolio holder for the environment and Cllr Kevin Lancaster, shadow portfolio holder for finance.

Cllr Mark Wilson, who represents Ulverston East on SLDC, continues as Leader of the Labour Group.

At the annual meeting, Councillor Eric Morrell was elected as the new chairman of the council and Councillor Stephen Coleman was elected as new vice-chairman.