The Ealing Liberal Democrats have also announced a Shadow Cabinet
Ealing Council has announced a new cabinet following the local elections which saw senior councillors lose their seats.
The increased Liberal Democrat opposition has also announced a Shadow Cabinet. Labour maintained their grip on the council, however lost a total of 10 seats, including those of three Cabinet Members and a Chief Whip.
Councillor Peter Mason will stay in post as Leader of the Council, as will Cllr Louise Brett as his deputy.
Blerina Hashani was the Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities before the election, however she replaces Josh Blacker, who did not stand for re-election, as Cabinet Member for a Fairer Start. She will oversee the ongoing legal challenge to the closure of ten children’s centres in the borough.
Shital Manro sat as the Cabinet Member for Good Growth, however lost his re-election bid to the Conservatives. He has been replaced by Cllr Monica Hamidi. Cllr Paul Driscoll has been moved from climate action to sit as the Cabinet Member for Healthy Equal Lives, replacing Polly Knewstubb, who lost her election to the Greens in Hanwell Broadway.
Cllr Dominic Moffit previously sat as a backbench councillor, however he has been promoted to Cabinet Member for Climate Action. Cllr Jasbir Anand was promoted to Cabinet Member for Tackling Crime and Antisocial Behaviour.
Leader of Ealing Council, Cllr Peter Mason, said: “Over the next four years, our focus is on delivering the things residents have told us matter most to them. Whether that is thousands more genuinely affordable homes, tens of thousands [of] extra jobs, more trees and parks, better roads and pavements, great schools and transformed social care, our track record of delivering on the promises we make has been, and will continue to be, the hallmark of how we go about our business.
“We will continue to ensure we run our council with ruthless efficiency, keeping council tax as low as possible whilst investing in the things that matter most.”
Cllr Gary Malcolm also announced a full Shadow Cabinet after a strong showing in the local elections which saw the Liberal Democrats gain seven councillors. This includes Cllr John Ball for Planning, Licencing and Regeneration, Whip and Deputy Leader, Cllr Jonathan Oxley on Finance, and Cllr Mark Sanders for Honesty and Accountability.
New councillor Adam Keenan will speak on children’s services, Cllr Steed on adult services, and Cllr Busuttil on transport. Cllr Athena Zissimos will manage an environment and crime portfolio, with Cllr Hersch on culture, sport and communities.
Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of Ealing Liberal Democrats, said: “The people of Ealing have voted decisively for a strengthened Liberal Democrat opposition as they are fed up of paying an ever-increasing council tax bill in the worst standard of living crisis for over 60 years.
“Ealing Labour seems unable to get the basics right – wanting to close ten children’s centres and two adult day centres for vulnerable residents and presiding over an unkempt, rubbish strewn environment with deteriorating high streets including many empty shops. We believe it is important to hold Ealing Council to account and encourage delivery through partnership working so that all residents can be proud of the borough we call home.”
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