The new Labour leader of Southampton City Council has taken office and appointed a new cabinet following the local elections on May 5, when the Conservatives lost control of the city.
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Following the election, the make-up of the council is now 26 seats for the Labour Party, 21 seats for the Conservative Party and 1 seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cllr Satvir Kaur, pictured right, is the new council leader. “It’s incredibly humbling that the Labour Party has been trusted again to lead our great city,” she said.
“As a new administration, we are keen and eager to start delivering for the people of Southampton, and create a safer, greener and more affordable city, with community pride at its centre. From the conversations we had with residents at their doorsteps, we know that there are many local and national issues, like the cost of living crisis, that are of real concern for many. We want to support local people in the best way we can and be a council that works with, as well as for, you.”
The new cabinet is as follows:
• Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children & Learning - Councillor Darren Paffey
• Cabinet Member for Finance & Change - Councillor Steve Leggett
• Cabinet Member for Health, Adults & Leisure - Councillor Lorna Fielker
• Cabinet Member for Housing & the Green Environment - Councillor Lisa Mitchell
• Cabinet Member for Economic Development - Councillor Sarah Bogle
• Cabinet Member Transport & District Regeneration - Councillor Eamonn Keogh
• Cabinet Member for Safer City - Councillor Matthew Renyard
• Cabinet Member for Communities - Councillor Toqeer Kataria
The 800th Right Worshipful Mayor of Southampton and 585th Sheriff were also sworn in at a ‘Mayor Making’ ceremony on Wednesday (May 18).
Cllr Jacqui Rayment became the city’s 800th Mayor and Cllr Valerie Laurent took on the role of the 585th Sheriff. Both will hold the posts for the next 12 months.
Sholing councillor Marley Guthrie, pictured left, has replaced Cllr Dan Fitzhenry as leader of the Conservative group following the Tories’ defeat.
Photos of councillors: Southampton City Council