LOCAL ELECTIONS 2010: New Labour council - 'axe will fall on executive members' allowances' / West - promise to deliver on manifesto promises

Published: 14 May 2010
by ROISIN GADELRAB

FOR years they have been living in the shadows. But now, Labour’s opposition cabinet are about to take over at the Town Hall.

New council leader Catherine West has revealed that every member of her shadow cabinet will assume their respective roles in power. 

And Barnsbury ward councillor Mouna Hamitouche is about to become the country’s first Algerian mayor.

The party is ready to set out its priorities, starting with another £1,000 cut to each executive member’s allowance, including those of the council leader and leader of the opposition. This will mean £7,000 has been taken off cabinet members’ allowances since 2006. Ms West hopes to deliver on manifesto promises to build thousands of new council homes in the next four years. But she said: “We’re very worried that the Tory-Lib Dem coalition will affect our ability to build new homes.”

She has already spoken to borough commander Mike Wise following the fatal stabbing in Finsbury Park on Saturday night and is drawing up plans for a crime strategy.

The new council cabinet is: council leader, Catherine West; finance chief and deputy leader, Richard Greening; children and young people, Richard Watts; housing, James Murray; adult social services, Janet Burgess; crime and community safety, Barbara Sidnell; environment, Paul Smith; regeneration and leisure, Paul Convery.