Changes to the cabinet from 17 January 2024

The Leader of the Council has announced changes to his cabinet to take effect from 17 January 2024.

Cllr Ryan Jude will be appointed to the cabinet, replacing Cllr Tim Roca who has resigned from the cabinet after his selection as a parliamentary candidate in his hometown of Macclesfield. Cllr Jude will become Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture combining the council’s efforts to combat the climate and ecological emergencies with responsibility for parks and open spaces, libraries, registrars and culture.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Adam Hug said:

The changes we are making to the cabinet team reflect our ongoing focus on the issues which matter most to people in Westminster.

Tim has played a pivotal role in helping the council deliver on our Fairer Westminster commitments and I’d like to thank him for his contribution. I would also like to welcome Ryan to his new role.

By creating the position of Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture we will ensure the council continues to prioritise tackling the climate emergency and helping Westminster meet its net zero commitments.

Deputy Leader, Cllr Aicha Less will take responsibility for children’s services in addition to her existing portfolio which includes public protection, licensing and community support.

Other minor changes include responsibility for the mayoralty and ceremonial matters passing to Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg and all action to combat disruption from short-term lets to communities and the housing market forming part of Cllr Matt Noble’s reshaped portfolio of Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters.

Cllr Roca’s resignation also leaves a vacancy as Deputy Leader of the Council. The Leader has signalled his intention that this will be filled following the conclusion of an internal process conducted by the Labour Group on 17 January 2024.

While the changes will not formally take effect until 17 January, the coming weeks will see a handover and transition period between current cabinet members and those taking on new responsibilities.

Cabinet members from 17 January 2024

Leader of the Council: Councillor Adam Hug 

Portfolio includes: Corporate Strategy; Governance; Policy; Strategic Partnerships and People Services; relations with the Greater London Authority (GLA), Cost of Living 

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Children and Public Protection: Councillor Aicha Less 

Portfolio includes: Police liaison; Community Protection services; Integrated Gangs Unit; Licensing Policies; Community Support; Community Hubs; Children’s Social Care; Children and Young People’s Commissioning; Schools; Young people

And, temporarily to cover Cllr Sanquest’s Maternity Leave: community engagement and neighbourhoods and equality, equity, diversity and inclusion

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Voluntary Sector: Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis 

Portfolio includes: Adult Social Care safeguarding and support for vulnerable adults; Public Health Services; Adult Social Care commissioning; Adult Social Care provided services and Health Partnerships; Food Poverty Strategy; Voluntary Sector Relations.

And, temporarily to cover Cllr Sanquest’s Maternity Leave: Community Investment

Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development: Councillor Geoff Barraclough 

Portfolio includes: Business Support and Economic Development; Employment; Town Planning; Planning Policy; Place-Shaping; Smart City programme and Digital Innovation in the public realm, Broadband; Westminster Adult Education Service and Lifelong Learning, internships. 

Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform: Councillor David Boothroyd 

Portfolio includes: Finance; Corporate Property; Capital Programme; Procurement; Legal; Digital Architecture; Council meetings and procedures. 

And, temporarily to cover Cllr Sanquest’s Maternity Leave: Customer Services (including Corporate Complaints), and the council’s resident facing digital services

Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality: Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg 

Portfolio includes: Waste and Street Cleansing (collection and enforcement); Recycling; Highways; Parking and Mortuaries; Parliament Square, and Communications Unit and Mayoralty/Ceremonial matters

Cabinet Member for Housing Services: Councillor Liza Begum 

Portfolio includes: Housing Services including allocations; HRA; Temporary Accommodation and Rough Sleeping (both housing and street based services). Councillor Begum will also lead relations with housing associations. 

Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters: Councillor Matt Noble 

Portfolio includes: House building along with Estate Regeneration; Private Rented Sector strategy and regulation; Short-Lets regulation and enforcement 

Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture: Councillor Ryan Jude  

Portfolio includes: Climate Action, Ecology, Parks and Open Spaces; Libraries and Registrars; Culture and Tourism; City Lions and Public Art

And, temporarily to cover Cllr Sanquest’s Maternity Leave: Leisure

Cabinet Member for Resident Participation, Consultation Reform and Leisure: Councillor Cara Sanquest (currently on maternity leave until Spring 2024, portfolio covered by other Cabinet Members as noted above)

Community engagement and neighbourhoods, Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion, Community Investment, Leisure, Customer Services (including Corporate Complaints), the council’s resident facing digital services