News / Politics
Marley Bennett joins Marvin Rees’ cabinet
A new cabinet member has been appointed just over six months before Bristol’s mayoral and cabinet model will be replaced by a committee system.
Marley Bennett will likely receive half of an annual £26,000 allowance for being named as mayor Marvin Rees’ new cabinet member for climate and waste, on top of his annual £15,000 for being a councillor.
Bennett, who has only been councillor for Eastville since May 2021, is chair of the influential licensing committee at City Hall, outside of which he has worked for Bristol East MP, Kerry McCarthy.
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In a minor cabinet reshuffle, Tom Renhard – who is now the new leader of the Labour group of councillors – will focus on housing delivery and homelessness; and responsibility for council housing services will pass to Kye Dudd, who retains his role in charge of energy policy.
Bennett’s arrival brings the number of cabinet members, including the mayor, to ten. These are all members of the Labour Party, with Rees’ experiment of having a rainbow cabinet only lasting for 18 months of his first term as mayor.
Marley Bennett catches a bus in the rain – photo: Marley Bennett
Rees said that Bennett is taking on “a challenging but hugely impactful role”.
He said: “Marley brings with him a huge amount of energy and strong political leadership, something he has clearly demonstrated as a ward councillor and across his roles on scrutiny and regulatory committees, most recently as chair of our city’s licensing committee.
“The changes we’re announcing today ensure we continue to provide quality leadership for the city with the right people in the right roles to deliver for Bristol.”
Bennett added: “I’m delighted to have been asked to join the mayor’s cabinet and am looking forward to helping ensure that Bristol remains a city that gets stuff done.
“My work as a local councillor, for the shadow climate change minister and green transport minister, and supporting major decarbonisation projects, equips me with invaluable experience for the challenges ahead.
“Tackling the climate and ecological crises and ensuring we provide high-quality recycling and waste services are no easy tasks, so I’m really grateful for the support from Kye and others to ensure I can hit the ground running.”
Main photo: Bristol City Council
Read next:
- ‘Marvin has served as a role model and an inspiration for many’
- Group to set up new model of governance for Bristol
- Tom Renhard elected leader of Bristol Labour group
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