Labour members in Kirklees have re-elected Shabir Pandor as the group’s leader.

Long-serving veteran Peter McBride will be his deputy.

Posting on social media Clr Pandor, who is also Council Leader, wrote: “Delighted to be re-elected, unopposed, as Leader of @kirkleeslabour. Also, pleased to confirm that Clr Peter McBride has been elected as Deputy Leader.”

Among those who offered their congratulations were the leader of Leeds City Council, Clr Judith Blake, and the leader of Bradford Council, Clr Susan Hinchliffe.

The Labour group, which has a majority on the council, will re-draw the make-up of its Cabinet in the run-up to the next full Council meeting on May 22.

Cabinet – the executive decision-making body of the council – can be composed of up to 10 members including the leader, who acts as chair, and the deputy.

Each Cabinet member is responsible for a specific portfolio.

Prior to the local elections Labour’s Cabinet was comprised of Masood Ahmed (Learning and Aspiration), Viv Kendrick (Statutory Responsibility for Children), Mus Khan (Health and Social Care), Naheed Mather (Communities and Environment), Peter McBride (Economy), Cathy Scott (Housing and Democracy), David Sheard (Communications, Industrial Relations), Graham Turner (Corporate) and Clr Pandor.

Clr Pandor’s responsibilities included strategy for the council, regional relationships, budget development, strategic partnerships and inclusive growth as well as diversity.

Commenting on what could be a shake-up of members and roles Clr Pandor said: “I have got 36 councillors and I need to see what each and every one of them has in terms of their abilities and skills.

“I also need to look at what individual members want and what their aspirations are. It’s a big task.

“That process is still ongoing. There’s a nomination process and people might want to move around.

“Things do not stay static.

“The key thing moving forward is to ensure that we have stability and that we strive to meet the ambitions in our budget and our other plans.”

Across the floor of the council chamber Clr David Hall, leader of Kirklees’ Conservative group, was also re-elected.

Group deputy, Clr John Taylor, was similarly re-elected and will continue in his role.

Kirklees’ Liberal Democrats will elect their leaders at an annual general meeting on May 15. Currently Clr John Lawson is leader with Clr Cahal Burke serving as deputy and group business manager. 

For the Greens Clr Andrew Cooper is expected to be re-elected as group leader with ward colleague Clr Karen Allison as business manager. The group does not have a deputy.

Clr Charles Greaves is expected to be re-elected as leader of the Independents.