A NEW cabinet for Darlington Borough Council has been completed with another appointment.
Councillor Mike Renton urged people to help each other and organise jubilee events as he was announced as the cabinet member for stronger communities.
He will take over the role from Cllr Jonathan Dulston, who has just been elected council leader.
Read more: Andy Keir is Darlington council's new deputy leader
Cllr Renton said: “Jonathan worked hard to make this portfolio his own, so I’ve got big boots to fill.
"But I worked closely with him and his officers during my years as the chair of communities and local services and economy and resources, so I am ready to carry on the great work he has done, and to take it to the next level.
“But to be successful in this role, I am going to need the help of every single resident of this town.
"To build safer, happier communities we first need to build stronger communities.
Read more: Who is Jonathon Dulston? The new council leader for Darlington
"And to do that, we need people of all ages, from all backgrounds, to take an interest in their local area. To get out and meet their street.
"Start speaking to their neighbours. Help the old lady across the road, pick up the litter, call in the fly-tipping, speak to young people and pass on the desire to look after the town for generations to come.
“Build a community around yourselves that you can trust and rely on. It’s up to families, friends and neighbours to support and look after each other. To keep an eye on the local area, notice when something is amiss.
“And please don’t give up on the police if they are an hour late, or if you have to sit on hold when calling 101. They are doing their absolute best to keep us safe.
"They work tirelessly in the service of our community and will do anything within their means to help you.
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“So I will be working side by side with partner organisations, fellow councillors and communities to provide education, activities and support to everyone of all ages so that we can make this town the best that it can be.
"And when better to start than in the lead-up to the jubilee celebration, which offers the perfect opportunity to develop a community within your street.
"Organise an event with your neighbours, clean the place up, treat your entire street as if it were your own back garden, and encourage others to do the same.
"With this increased community cohesion our town will continue to transform into somewhere we can all be proud to call home.”
Cllr Dulston said he was "absolutely delighted" to make the appointment.
He said: “I have worked closely with Mike over the last three years an am absolutely confident that he is the right person to pick up this role.
"He is a strong local councillor and a thorough council operator and I look forward to working side by side with him and the rest of my cabinet as we set off on this next chapter of our journey to success.”
Cllr Andy Keir has replaced Cllr Dulston as deputy leader of the council.
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