Unlike elsewhere in South London, the Labour Party are still in control of Greenwich despite losing seats to the Greens.
Labour’s vote share in the Royal Borough was halved at the local elections on 7th May, but the party still won comfortably, winning 35 councillors, eight more than required for a majority.
Greenwich has been run by Labour since 1971 and, for the next four years at least, it will be led by Labour council leader Anthony Okereke.
After his party lost 12 seats on election night, the new leader said: “I want to get back and get the ball rolling and start delivering for residents, but I can’t pretend I’m not bruised.
“It has been hard and I’ve lost colleagues across London and that is quite difficult.”
The official opposition to Okereke’s council now comes from the left of Labour in the form of the Green Party, as they surged from two to 13 seats and leapfrogged the Conservatives, who made more modest gains.
Green councillor Stacy Smith said: “Right before the election, Labour councillors voted to cut scrutiny of the council through limiting public and members’ questions. We are going to work for more accountability and democracy for our residents.”
Since the elections, Okereke’s cabinet has reaffirmed pledges to accelerate investment in the borough, revamp town centres, and crack down on fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.
They have also announced their intentions to give a voucher worth £150 to every child in the borough to buy a bicycle, deliver 6,000 social and low rent homes in the next ten years and secure major infrastructure improvements, including the DLR extension to Thamesmead.
Okereke said: “There’s no time to pat ourselves on the back. There’s a housing crisis, a cost-of-living crisis, and a climate emergency.
“That’s why it’s vital that we have services, homes, and infrastructure that works for everyone who calls our borough home.”
Greenwich Council’s full cabinet is as follows:
Council Leader
Anthony Okereke
As council leader, Okereke was responsible for selecting the cabinet and designating each member’s role. He represents the Royal Borough at external events and sets the council’s strategic direction and key policy priorities.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Greenwich Builds and Estate Regeneration
Jackie Smith
Smith deputises for Anthony Okereke in his absence, representing Greenwich at events and chairing the cabinet when necessary.
She also serves Cabinet Member for Housing, Greenwich Builds and Estate Regeneration, meaning she is in charge of housing management, repairs, building new council homes and regenerating council estates.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Equalities and Leisure
Adel Khaireh
Khaireh oversees libraries, leisure centres, parks and major events in Greenwich. He also leads the council’s equality, diversity and inclusion work.
Cabinet Member for Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives
Asli Mohammed
Mohammed will aim to drive economic growth by supporting residents into work, helping local businesses grow and contributing to the development of the Royal Borough’s town centres.
Cabinet Member for Transport, Climate Change, Waste & Streets
Calum O’Byrne Mulligan
Chiefly responsible for transport across Greenwich, O’Byrne Mulligan is in charge of highways, parking, traffic and transport networks. He also oversees waste and recycling services, ensures streets are well-maintained and co-ordinates the council’s climate policy.
Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement
Joshua Ayodele
Ayodele is in charge of environmental health, licensing, trading standards and community safety. He will also work to tackle anti-social behaviour and extremism across Greenwich.
Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Communities
Mariam Lolavar
Lolavar’s remit covers adult social care and public health, as well as the voluntary and community sectors. She will be tasked with upholding Greenwich’s status as a “Borough of Sanctuary” which welcomes and values the contributions of refugees and migrants.
Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources
Rachel Taggart-Ryan
As head of the Royal Borough’s finances, Taggart Ryan monitors the council’s spending, ensuring revenues are collected and those in need of financial assistance are supported.
Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Post-16 Futures
Sandra Bauer
Bauer is in charge of Greenwich’s SEND Provisions and children’s social care. She will be expected to improve the Royal Borough’s schools and support more young people into further education, employment or training after the age of 16.
Cabinet Member for Planning and Development
Tom Creswell
Creswell manages planning in Greenwich, overseeing and regenerating the council’s property portfolio. He will be tasked with delivering capital investment in buildings and infrastructure.
