Council cabinet is unveiled
Merton Council's leader, cabinet and senior councillors were officially sworn in at Wednesday’s annual council meeting (4 June 2014).
Following the local elections two weeks ago, Merton now has a Labour majority with the party winning 36 seats of the 60 available.
Councillor Stephen Alambritis will remain leader of the council and will work with eight cabinet members to focus on local issues that affect residents. The cabinet members and their portfolios are as follows:
Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah joins the cabinet with responsibility for adult social care and health. Councillor Cooper-Marbiah was elected in a by-election in Colliers Wood last summer where her record as a strong campaigner for local residents won her 72% of the vote. Councillor Cooper-Marbiah said: “I will be ensuring that the council continues to look after older and disabled people who need help and that we fight to keep all our local hospitals open.”
The new chairs of council committees were also agreed at the meeting. Councillor Linda Kirby takes over in the key role of Chair of the Planning Applications Committee to which a number of newly elected councillors have also been appointed.
She said: "I want to make the planning process more responsive to the needs of local people, and I’m delighted so many new councillors are keen to get involved in our new approach of putting residents first."
Merton Council's Leader, Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: "I am looking forward to continuing our work on behalf of our residents and to delivering great services over the next four years that will ensure we look after the vulnerable, keep our streets clean, our libraries thriving and our schools great places to learn."
June 12, 2014
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