LABOUR bosses have finalised their team of top councillors who will look after local services this coming year.

They have decided who will hold the post of spokesman for the various specialised areas of the council's work.

If follows the announcement of the top eight politicians who will make up the council's cabinet.

The following have now been appointed as lead spokesmen: John Byrne (safer communities), Derek Boden (finance, human resource), Siobhan Costello (arts and culture), John Costello (early years) and Steve Perkins (school standards). Other spokesmen comprise Warren Flood (sports and recreation), Stella Smith (post-16 and community education), John Smith (housing), Mike Connolly (social services), Pam Walker (public protection), Julie Higson (LA21), Gordon Sharkey (disability), Farook Chaudhry (elders) and Sylvia Mason (youth).

Bury's Conservative opposition have also sorted out their leadership and spokesman roles.

Tottington councillor David Higgin remains as group leader, while former leader, Church ward councillor Roy Walker, is his new deputy, taking over from Ramsbottom member Dorothy Gunther.

Their spokesmen are: David Higgin (executive, standards and probity), Bernie Vincent (audit), Bob Bibby (planning), Dorothy Gunther (highways and traffic management), Jim Taylor (licensing), Roy Walker (lifelong learning), Denise Bigg (health, housing and social services), Barry Theckston (environment and transport), Jack Walton (resource) and Bill Johnson (economic regeneration).