TWO key leadership roles at Worcester City Council have been changed – including a major aim to focus on people’s health.

Councillor Roger Berry, a Labour veteran, has been given the title of cabinet member for health and wellbeing.

The move is partly because, since April, overall responsibility for public health moved from the NHS to Worcestershire County Council.

The county council has set up a new policy board to manage the task properly, and Coun Berry will be expected to work closely with its membership.

It is the second change in title for a senior politician, with Coun Lynn Denham now cabinet member for community engagement, giving her control over CCTV spending.

Her old title was cabinet member for customer services and engagement, and under the changes she will still retain those responsibilities, which includes HR.

Councillor Adrian Gregson, the leader, speaking during a cabinet meeting, said: “This will give these areas new focus and attention.

“In health in particular, there are a number of council functions which are about being healthy and improving the well-being of the population.

“We need to demonstrate and emphasise how important an area it is for us because in the past, health has been under-represented at the council.

“I’m not making a political point, that’s just the way it has been and the only real way this council has been engaged in that is through the health scrutiny panel at the county council.”

Coun Berry’s old cabinet role, known as safer and stronger communities, foc-used on housing, and he will keep that responsibility.

He will also retain control over sports centres, museums and licensing policy.

He said: “I really welcome this as it’s now much easier for the public to understand what these roles are about.”

Coun Denham said: “Engaging with the community is vitally important for this city and as a cathedral councillor, I know a lot about the issues affecting Worcester, I will be doing my best to improve this area of work.”