Agenda item

ELECTION OF LEADER AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS - 2026-27

Minutes:

The Mayor asked for nominations for leader of the council.

 

Councillor Evelyn Akoto moved that Councillor Sarah King be elected leader of the council.

 

Councillor Sam Foster moved that Councillor James McAsh be elected leader of the council.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That council assembly appointed Councillor James McAsh as leader of the council.

 

2.  That council assembly notes that the leader’s term of office shall commence from 21 May 2026, and end at the start of the first annual meeting of the council following the next ordinary election[1], unless otherwise specified by a resolution of council assembly (see paragraphs 14 – 17 of the report).

 

3.  That council assembly:

 

·  Noted the appointment by the leader of executive members

·  Noted the appointment of any deputy executive members

·  Noted the establishment and appointment of any executive committees 

·  Noted the leader’s report on the delegation of executive functions to the full executive, executive committees, individual executive members, chief officers and neighbourhood forums

·  Noted that as a consequence the proper constitutional officer will update Part 3 of the constitution in accordance with the leader’s report on the delegation of executive functions.

 

Appointment of the executive

 

4.  That the leader reported to council assembly on the appointment of members of the executive and determination of their executive functions:

 

Executive Member

Portfolio

Cllr James McAsh

Leader of the Council

Cllr Victor Chamberlain

Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Strategic Planning and Wellbeing

Cllr Reginald Popoola

Council Homes

Cllr David Watson

Community Safety and Engagement

Cllr Sam Foster

Finance and General Purposes

Cllr Rachel Bentley

Jobs, Equalities and Citizenship

Cllr Alexandra Austin

Public Works and New Homes

Cllr Eloise Waldon-Day

Climate and Council Coordination

Cllr Vanessa Threadgold

Parks and Leisure

Cllr Rebecca Corn

Education and Care

 

Deputy executive members

 

Cllr George Grime

Tenant and Leaseholder Services (Deputy)

Cllr Janice White

Culture (Deputy)

Cllr Suzanne Wise

Adult Services (Deputy)

Cllr Francesco Guerrieri

Community Council (Deputy)

Cllr Lina Usma

Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (Deputy)

 

5.  That the leader reported on the establishment of the executive committees:

 

·  Executive (Livesey Trust) Committee

·  Joint IT Committee (Brent, Lewisham and Southwark).

 

6.  That the leader reported on the delegation of executive functions between full executive, individual decision makers, chief officers and any other delegations.

 

7.  That council assembly noted the leader’s report on any changes to the delegation of executive functions to the full executive, executive committees, individual executive members, chief officers and any other delegations.

 

8.  That council assembly noted that as a consequence of recommendation 6, the proper constitutional officer will update Part 3 of the constitution in accordance with the leader’s report on the delegation of executive functions.


[1] Article 6.3 of the Constitution

Supporting documents: