A new Birmingham City Council cabinet member will take responsibility for the city's housing and neighbourhoods following heavy criticism.

Councillor John Cotton (Lab Shard End) will take up the position, created as part of the overhaul of local services in the wake of last year's damning report by government troubleshooter Sir Bob Kerslake.

Coun Cotton's old cabinet post, responsible for health and social services, will be filled by cabinet newcomer Coun Paulette Hamilton (Lab Handsworth Wood).

She has been the city's unpaid mental health champion.

The £26,000 allowance for the new cabinet post will be covered by reductions in the numbers and allowances for chairmen of the scrutiny and district committees which is another of the Kerslake recommendations.

Council leader Sir Albert Bore said: "Many functions devolved to district committees now need to be taken forward by the cabinet. Accordingly, a new cabinet post has been set up to give a focus to the 'Place' agenda.

"This will allow us to develop a more integrated delivery of services for residents in coordination with our districts."

In 2012, the number of cabinet posts was cut from ten to eight but, with an extra post created last year, and this addition it is now back up to ten.

Sir Albert added: "I'm especially pleased to welcome Paulette Hamilton to the team. She's had a considerable number of years of experience in the health field and was the city council's mental health champion in 2014/15."

The appointment of Coun Hamilton, who become the second BME cabinet member, also answers some criticism that the council's top table was not representative of the diverse city it serves. The other positions remain unchanged.

The full cabinet

Leader – Coun Sir Albert Bore

Deputy Leader – Coun Ian Ward

Cabinet Member for Children's Services – Coun Brigid Jones

Cabinet Member for Commissioning, Contracting and Improvement - Coun Stewart Stacey

Cabinet Member for Development, Transport and the Economy – Coun Tahir Ali

Cabinet Member for Sustainability – Coun Lisa Trickett

Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care – Coun Paulette Hamilton

Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Management and Homes – Coun John Cotton

Cabinet Member for Skills, Learning and Culture – Coun Penny Holbrook

Cabinet Member for Inclusion and Community Safety – Coun James McKay