First Thoughts on being appointed Deputy Leader of Harrow Council

Relaxing at the end of a very momentous week in local politics, which saw my good friend and colleague, Cllr. Susan Hall elected as Harrow’s first female Council Leader, heading up a minority Conservative administration.

(For reports on how this has all come about, see “Political coup sees Tories take the reins of Harrow Council“, “Harrow Council has new leader“, and “Harrow Council Leader Idaikkadar Ousted in Party Crisis” and the various links contained therein.)

Late Friday afternoon (20/09/13), details of the new line-up of the Council’s top-team were released – and I’m very excited to have been appointed the new Deputy Leader of Harrow Council, with responsibility (once more) for adult social care and housing services.  Very much looking forward to seeing how we can advance the personalisation of social care agenda to expand our users’ choice and control over their care arrangements and so improve outcomes and quality of life for them and their families and carers.

It’s a very great honour and privilege to have been asked by Susan to serve in such a senior and responsible role. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead – and the opportunities to make a positive difference for my borough and our residents!

New Harrow Borough Council cabinet announced by leader Susan Hall

4:16pm Friday 20th September 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

Announcing the line-up of her new top-team in charge of Harrow Council, Susan said:

“This new Conservative Cabinet brings both a wealth of experience and some new faces to the table, all of whom share the ability and determination to deliver a cleaner, safer and fairer Harrow for our residents.

“Our Cabinet sees the creation of two new positions: a separate portfolio for Health and Wellbeing, in recognition of the Council taking on public health responsibilities from Harrow PCT; and a portfolio for Business and Enterprise, demonstrating this administration’s commitment to supporting local businesses.

“We also welcome the increased scrutiny that will come from having opposition councillors as non-executive observers on Cabinet, as we’re all keen to be kept on our toes. My colleagues and I are already hard at work, and will be unveiling more of our plans in the coming weeks.”

Susan’s decision to take on the Community Safety & Environment portfolio underlines the commitment of our new Conservative administration to cleaning up Harrow and making it a safer place to live and work.

The full Cabinet line-up is as follows:

• Cllr. Susan Hall (Leader) – Community Safety and Environment
• Cllr. Barry Macleod-Cullinane (Deputy Leader) – Adults and Housing
• Cllr. Tony Ferrari – Finance
• Cllr. Kamaljit Chana – Business and Enterprise
• Cllr. Stephen Greek – Planning, Development and Regeneration
• Cllr. Manji Kara – Community and Culture
• Cllr. Janet Mote* – Children and Schools
• Cllr. Paul Osborn – Communications, Performance and Resources
• Cllr. Simon Williams – Health and Wellbeing
• Cllr. Stephen Wright – Property and Major Contracts

Notes:

*Cllr. Christine Bednell will serve as the Portfolio Adviser to Cllr. Mote.

Additionally, Cllr. Thaya Idaikkadar will be appointed as a non-executive member of Cabinet, as will two members of the Labour Group, whose names are to be confirmed.