Kewal’s journey takes him to historic council cabinet post
A DERBYSHIRE county councillor has made history as the first Sikh to be appointed to the council cabinet.
Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, Conservative member for Sawley, has recently been appointed as cabinet member for highways assets and transport at the county council the first member of his faith to achieve the feat.
It is also believed Councillor Athwal is the first Sikh to be appointed to the highways position anywhere in the country.
As part of the role, his responsibilities will include road development, management and safety, public transport and transport for those with care needs across the county.
He said: “I am hugely honoured to be given such a high profile role within the council, and am looking forward to working with the team to make a positive difference to those
we serve in the county of Derbyshire.
“My first priority will be to make sure we deliver the ambitious programme of improvements across the county.
“We’ll be spending £120m over the next three years to improve roads, pavements, bridges and drains across Derbyshire.”
The father-of-two and grandfather-of-five has been a county councillor since 2017 and has also served on Erewash Borough Council since 2007, representing Wilsthorpe. He has lived in Sawley for more than 35 years, working in the motor trade and textiles since moving from Punjab, India, where he was born.
The council’s 10-person cabinet is its chief decision-making body, led by Barry Lewis, Conservative leader.
According to the 2011 census, Sikhs make up just over two percent of the population of Derbyshire.
Councillor Athwal added: “My faith has always been important to me and I am delighted to be the first Sikh to have the responsibility for highways assets and transport.
”I hope my appointment will encourage more people from my faith, and from any other faith group to realise that they too could take part in civic life, and help to improve life for all those who live in our wonderful county.”
Cllr Athwal has previously taken up a number of positions at the county council, including chairing the Audit Committee, and was Mayor of Erewash from 2014-15.