New Leader sets out his vision

The Cabinet

The following councillors were also appointed to the new Cabinet, which has replaced the Executive:

The new cabinet (left to right): Cllr Fiona Colley, Cllr Richard Livingstone, Cllr Catherine McDonald, Cllr Barrie Hargrove, Cllr Peter John, Cllr John Friary, Cllr Ian Wingfield, Cllr Abdul Mohamed, Cllr Dora Dixon-Fyle, Cllr Veronica Ward.

View the full list of cabinet members and portfolios. 

Leader of the Council

The new Leader of Southwark Council has set out his bold vision for intelligent and efficient local government that will best serve the needs of local people and change the borough for the better.

During his inaugural speech at the Annual Meeting of Council Assembly on May 19, Cllr Peter John said that despite the expected `savage cuts' to public finances, the new administration had a positive and forward looking outlook which local people had embraced.

The Leader pledged that the council would change things that had gone wrong and build on areas where progress had been made.

Cllr John also reinstated his commitment to deliver in some key priority areas:

• Make every home, warm, safe and dry
• Roll out free, healthy school meals for every primary school pupil
• Make sure the Elephant and Castle regeneration delivers for local people
• Protect green spaces and double recycling
• Cut back on wasteful spending

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: "It is an immense honour to be elected as Leader of Southwark Council. This is a task that is at once exciting and challenging. With my new Cabinet we will work hard to make sure that we reconnect with local people, that we go out in to the community and listen to them, making sure that we respond to their concerns. The people of Southwark have put their trust in us to deliver and we will not let them down."

Cllr John said his new team are already getting to work by cutting £70,000 from the special responsibility allowances paid to councillors.

He said: "At a time when finances are so tight, both for local councils and the people they serve, there are far better things we can do with £70,000.

"But this is just the start. If we can cut 10% from the councillor's allowances budget, then there must be other areas where we will make further savings. We are already working with council officers to start identifying any areas where there is wasteful spending."

Council Assembly also agreed a range of other measures, including:

• Establish a Democracy Commission to examine all aspects of how the Council interacts with the public and to explore ways to operate more effectively and improve the way the Council does things.
• Establish the new role of Deputy Cabinet Member, which will not carry any additional allowance for the post holder.
• Increase the number of Council Assembly meetings.
• Confirm that the Council's decision making body, previously known as the Executive will from now on be known as the Cabinet.

Highlights from the Leader's speech to Council Assembly, 19 May

Mr Mayor, it is an immense honour to be elected this evening as the Leader of Southwark Council. This is a task that is at once exciting and challenging.

There is a lot that needs to change if this council is to best serve the needs of the people of Southwark. I believe that we have the energy, the talent and above all the mandate to make that change. This is our simple promise. Where things have gone wrong in the past, we will work to change them, but where progress has been made, we will build on it. We have a positive, forward-looking and radical vision for the future:

• We will make every home warm, dry and safe
• We will roll out free, healthy school meals for every primary school pupil
• We will make sure the Elephant & Castle regeneration delivers for local people
• We will protect green spaces and double recyclin
• We will cut back on wasteful spending

Local people want an end to complacency; an end to neglect. People want an activist council, committed to changing the borough for the better. They want intelligent, efficient local government. This council will not let the people of Southwark down.

Mr Mayor, I believe that the new Cabinet consists of individuals rooted in the communities they will serve. It is a team that combines a wide variety of skills, perspectives and experience. But above all it is a team that is united in its commitment to radical change in this borough. The people of Southwark have put their trust in us to deliver, and this team will not let them down.

The Mayor 

Cllr Tayo Situ was elected Mayor of Southwark at the Annual Meeting of Council Assembly on 19 May.

A councillor in Peckham since 2002, the Mayor came to the UK from Nigeria in 1985. He studied accountancy at Southbank University and now runs his own business. He lives locally and is a trustee and elder of his church. He is a devoted husband, father to five children and also a grand father. His son Michael is also a councillor and his wife will be consort for the year.

Cllr Lorraine Lauder was elected as Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor told the Annual Meeting of Council Assembly, "It is a great privilege and honour to be Mayor of Southwark. I shall engage with people from all backgrounds and support our many and diverse community groups. I will promote community cohesion and be an ambassador for Southwark. I would also like to thank the previous Mayor, Cllr Jeff Hook."

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: "I would like to warmly congratulate Cllr Situ on his election as Mayor of Southwark. The whole council is aware of his many years of active and dedicated service, not just to the people of Peckham ward, but to the whole borough.

"Cllr Situ's election as our borough's first citizen is a fitting tribute to that selfless work and I know that he will bring great dignity and commitment to the position. I'd also like to congratulate Cllr Lauder on her election as Deputy Mayor. I am certain that she will demonstrate great energy and enthusiasm in the role over the coming year."

Committees

View details of the following committees:

• Overview and scrutiny
• Audit and Governance Committee
• Corporate Parenting Committee
• Disciplinary Appeals Committee
• Licensing Committee
• Planning Committee
• Standards Committee

View details of the community councils:

• Bermondsey Community Council
• Borough and Bankside Community Council
• Camberwell Community Council
• Dulwich Community Council
• Nunhead and Peckham Rye Community Council
• Peckham Community Council
• Rotherhithe Community Council
• Walworth Community Council