DUDLEY'S Labour group has been officially sworn in to continue running the council after opposition parties failed to reach a deal that could have caused a shift in power.

Councillor Pete Lowe was reconfirmed as leader of Dudley Council at last night's annual council meeting at the Council House - paving the way for Labour councillor Mohammed Hanif to become the borough's first-ever Muslim mayor.

Cllr Lowe, who represents Lye and Stourbridge North, has also unveiled his new cabinet - which has two new appointments but is largely unchanged.

Brockmoor and Pensnett councillor John Martin has become cabinet member for law and governance, and planning committee chairman councillor Qadar Zada has become cabinet member for adult social care after councillor Dave Branwood was ousted at the May 5 local election.

Councillor Judy Foster remains as deputy leader of the authority and has also become cabinet member for community council - as long-serving councillor Tim Crumpton has left the cabinet to concentrate on ward issues after more than a decade on Dudley Labour group's front bench.

Councillor David Sparks remains as cabinet member for finance, councillor Hilary Bills as cabinet member for environmental services, councillor Khurshid Ahmed as cabinet member for planning and economic development; councillor Gaye Partridge retains the housing brief, councillor Rachel Harris remains as cabinet member for health and wellbeing and councillor Ian Cooper is staying on as cabinet member for children’s services.

Cllr Lowe, who is also taking on the role of cabinet member for policy, said: “I am proud to announce the cabinet we have put forward who are more than up to the task for the challenging times and the opportunities ahead of us as a local authority.

“As a council we need to be innovative and responsive to change in the years ahead and I have every confidence we can do that.

“We have a good mixture of new faces to provide fresh impetus to such an important role, working alongside the equally as important experienced members of this cabinet.”

To see the full appointments list - including shadow cabinet positions and committee chairmanships - click here.