A COUNCILLOR appointed to a new position has been told he is taking up a poisoned chalice.

Coun Andrew Bennett (Con, Ridgeway) will take up the new role of cabinet member for community and partnership after the position was approved at a full meeting of Swindon Council.

But Coun Kevin Small (Lab, Western) said the role was a poisoned chalice as the first task would be to explain why the council was planning to cut grants to community groups.

The council has already come under fire for wanting to make the appointment, which will cost £5,000 per year, but argued that Government inspectors said the area needed improvement.