(Left to right) New cabinet members Cllrs Jo Blackman, Vanisha Solanki and Khayer Chowdhury and Cllr John Howard, who has a new role Last week, Redbridge Council announced a dramatic reshuffle of its cabinet, introducing three new members and creating entirely new portfolios. Many residents may be unfamiliar with the new faces - an environmental campaigner, a former employee of London Mayor Sadiq Khan and one of Redbridge’s youngest councillors - now leading vital work across the borough. The shake-up also saw a newly created role for “stronger communities” given to Cllr John Howard, formerly responsible for civic pride, as well as a new emphasis on the environment.
Rebridge Council have announced a new and expanded cabinet
- Credit: Ken Mears
Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal has announced his new expanded cabinet filling in vacancies and creating a new role.
Fullwell ward Cllr Vanisha Solanki joins the cabinet as the member responsible for housing and homelessness.
Cllr Vanisha Solanki will join as cabinet member for housing and homelessness.
- Credit: Redbridge Council
That position was previously held by Cllr Farah Hussain, who stepped down from the cabinet in September.
Cllr Jo Blackman (Wanstead Village) will serve as the cabinet member for environment and civic pride and Cllr Khayer Chowdhury (Valentines) will become the cabinet member for crime and community cohesion.
Ilford Town Hall and Ilford High Street 21/5/14 EL77212 2. Redbridge Council has finally filled important cabinet positions left vacant for months amid a dramatic reshuffle announced today. The positions responsible for housing and crime have both been vacant for at least three months after one cabinet member publicly resigned and another quietly stepped down. The cabinet member in charge of civic pride - including the controversial Quiet Streets programme - has left his position for a newly created role, with another councillor stepping up to replace him. This means the number of councillors in the full cabinet has increased from nine to 10, with some councillors taking on new responsibilities in addition to their old work.