The group of councillors with key responsibilities on Redbridge Council has been shaken up.

Council leader Cllr Keith Prince has made a series of changes to the cabinet – made up of nine councillors – which will take affect on May 17.

One key change is the departure from the cabinet of planning and regeneration member Cllr Nick Hayes due to “business commitments”.

He will be replaced by Conservative Party colleague and former mayor Cllr Thomas Chan.

His portfolio is being changed to regeneration and property, with planning, as well as enforcement, coming under the existing community safety portfolio headed by Cllr Shoaib Patel.

Cllr Prince said: “It brings all our enforcement under one cabinet member.

“I’ve created a new property portfolio which will cover what we own and all developments of school buildings as well as big projects.”

He said the change would free up time for Cllr Alan Weinberg, who is the cabinet member for children’s services, to focus on the core areas of his portfolio.

Of Cllr Chan’s appointment to the cabinet, Cllr Prince described him as a “very capable man”.

Another change is including “youth services”, which Cllr Prince described as a “priority” for the year ahead, in the leisure portfolio,

The portfolio will be headed by former housing cabinet member Cllr Robin Turbefield.

Former leisure cabinet member Cllr Sue Nolan takes up a newly named environment and transportation portfolio.

Cllr Michelle Dunn, who formerly headed the highways portfolio, will take up housing.

Cllr John Fairley-Churchill remains cabinet member for adult social services and health, while deputy council leader Cllr Ian Bond continues to head resources and Cllr Prince heads the finance portfolio.