Pickles for DCLG as Conservatives fill Cabinet posts with greatest influence on local government, DCSF to split?

A number of surprise appointments have been made to key Cabinet posts affecting local government today as the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition takes shape.

Conservatives have filled most of the most influential ministerial roles relating to local authorities. They include:

• Eric Pickles, the chairman of the Conservative Party, is named as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. The former leader of Bradford Council was Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government until 2009 and Shadow Local Government Minister from 2002.

• Michael Gove becomes Secretary of State for Education. It has been predicted in some quarters that the Department for Children, Schools and Families could be split between an education department and a department responsible for children’s services and families
• Kenneth Clarke, who held several posts under the Thatcher and Major governments, becomes Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. Dominic Grieve – a QC like Clarke – had shadowed the justice brief before the election but becomes Attorney General
• Theresa May is appointed Home Secretary and Minister for Women & Equality. It is unclear at the moment if Chris Grayling, who was shadow home secretary before the poll, will have a post in the Cabinet.
• The Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government at the election, Caroline Spelman, is named as Environment Secretary.