Cheshire East Council is to have a new deputy cabinet member for adult social care and health, owing to the additional pressures created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cllr Marilyn Houston, ward member for Crewe West, is to support the present portfolio lead, Cllr Laura Jeuda, who represents Macclesfield South.

Council leader, Councillor Sam Corcoran said: "In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become clear that our adult social care and health portfolio requires additional support and I am pleased that Cllr Houston has agreed to take up the position of deputy portfolio holder under Cllr Jeuda.

"Following the local election in May 2019, the new Labour/Independent administration chose to combine two areas of responsibility – adult social care and health – to form one much larger portfolio, bringing about a closer working relationship between the care of older residents and our delivery of the council's health sector responsibilities.

"Naturally, there is a cross-over of needs and delivery but the added pressures created by the pandemic, which remains an ongoing concern and demand on the council's resources, calls for the appointment of a supportive deputy cabinet member for this area of work."

Cllr Houston, who joined the council in 2019, is a former mayor of Crewe and was recently appointed the council's equality, diversity and inclusion member champion. She served on the health and adult social care and communities overview and scrutiny committee.

She said of her appointment: "I am looking forward to working with Cllr Jeuda and all the council's partners at this key time, in ensuring that the people of Cheshire East are provided with health and social care services that enable them to live longer and healthier lives."

Cllr Houston's appointment by the council leader is with immediate effect. It is cost neutral to the council and council taxpayer.

Cllr Laura Jeuda said: "I am looking forward to working with Cllr Houston, who has a wealth of experience in local government and social policy.

"She will be a great asset to ensuring that our residents are served well, particularly in what are, and will no doubt continue to be, challenging and uncertain times."

Latest figures show a rise of 33 cases of Covid-19 in Cheshire East in the week up to 29 August with the borough recording a total of 2,406 cases since the start of the pandemic. Sadly, there have been 549 deaths recorded.

The adult social care and health team has been responsible for ensuring that older people in the borough, who were shielding received all the support they required, including deliveries of food and other essentials.