Democracy breaks out in Brent Labour as key positions contested

The Brent Labour Annual General Meeing  next Saturday will see elections for Leader, Deputy Leader and Cabinet positions I understand from well-informed sources.

This is part of the normal democratic process but takes place against the background of internal tensions that included Councillor Butt's attempt to select his own deputy.

Following the election the posts have to be confirmed by Full Council but that is usually certain given the Labour majority - unless the results are very close and susceptible to abstentions at Council.

These are the current positions and responsibilities:

Leader of the Council

Councillor Muhammed Butt

Responsible for:

• Community Planning and Partnership
• Strategic Regeneration
• Voluntary Sector
• West London Alliance
• Health and Wellbeing Board (chair)
• Mayor's Development Corporation
• Executive and Members Services
• Legal Services

Find out more about Cllr Muhammed Butt.

Deputy Leader

Councillor Michael Pavey

Responsible for:

• Finance
• Performance Management
• Complaints and FOI
• Council as Employer (HR)
• Equalities
• Procurement
• IT

Find out more about Cllr Michael Pavey.

Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills

Councillor Roxanne Mashari

Responsible for:

• Customer Access
• Skills
• Jobs and Employment
• Business and Enterprise
• Welfare
• Poverty
• London Living Wage Advocate

Find out more about Cllr Roxanne Mashari.

Cabinet Member for Environment

Councillor Eleanor Southwood

Responsible for:

• Environment
• Transport
• Public Realm
• Sustainability
• Highways
• Parking
• Transportation
• Street Lighting

Find out more about Cllr Eleanor Southwood.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Councillor Ruth Moher

Responsible for:

• Early Years
• Schools
• Special Education Needs
• Early Help
• Children's Social Care
• Youth Services
• Troubled Families

Find out more about Cllr Ruth Moher.

Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing

Councillor Krupesh Hirani

Responsible for:

• Adult Social Care
• Health and Wellbeing
• Public Health
• CCG

Find out more about Cllr Krupesh Hirani.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Development

Councillor Margaret McLennan

Responsible for:

• Housing
• Private Sector Housing
• Landlord licensing
• Planning
• Building Control
• Property and Asset Management
• Facilities Management
• Brent Housing Partnership (BHP)

Find out more about Cllr Margaret McLennan.

Cabinet member for Stronger Communities

Councillor James Denselow

Responsible for:

• Community Cohesion
• Community Safety
• Community Resilience
• Arts, Leisure and Sports
• Trading Standards
• Licensing
• Libraries
• Communications
• Registration and Nationality

Find out more about Cllr James Denselow.