Haringey shifts to Green Party control under new minority leadership

Marcus Thorne Author 2026-05-21 12:26 3 min read

A tall residential apartment building in London rising above a dense canopy of green trees.

Contents

New cabinet appointments and leadership structure
Financial pressures and social care priorities
Cross-party cooperation and civic leadership roles

Haringey Green Group has officially assumed control of Haringey Council, forming a minority administration following the Annual Full Council meeting at Tottenham Town Hall. Cllr Mark Blake was confirmed as the Council Leader on May 20, after receiving 27 votes in favour. The transition occurred as both the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups abstained from the vote, with no other nominations presented for the leadership role.

New cabinet appointments and leadership structure

The new administration has established a diverse cabinet to manage the borough’s various departments. Cllr Ruairidh Paton and Cllr Tammy Hymas have been appointed as Co-Deputy Leaders, with Cllr Hymas also taking the lead on the housing portfolio. Other key appointments include Cllr Jo Kuper for Resident Services, Cllr Johann Beckford for Finance and Corporate, and Cllr Erin Wolson for Culture and Leisure.

The Green Group’s strategy involves a rotating role for Health and Social Care, which will be shared between Cllr Tehseen Khan and Cllr Hannah Ward throughout the year. Additional cabinet responsibilities have been assigned to Cllr Gio Iozzi (Climate Action), Cllr Georgia Twigg (Children and Schools), Cllr Dixie-Ann Joseph (Placemaking), and Cllr Ata Berk Aksit (Communities). This leadership change arrives at a pivotal moment for local public services. For instance, while the council undergoes political shifts, Haringey students continue to thrive in local educational settings that have maintained high standards of pastoral care.

Financial pressures and social care priorities

In his first address as Leader, Cllr Mark Blake acknowledged the severely challenging financial landscape facing the council. The administration inherits a significant financial gap driven by structural pressures within social care, children’s services, and the provision of temporary accommodation. These sectors represent some of the highest expenditures for London boroughs, often exacerbated by rising demand and inflation.

Haringey shifts to Green Party control under new minority leadership

Cllr Blake emphasized that the scale of the budget deficit requires a departure from previous governance styles. He called for bold thinking and a commitment to rebuilding public trust through transparency and sound stewardship. The minority status of the administration means the Green Group will need to build consensus on budget decisions and policy changes to ensure the council remains solvent while meeting its statutory obligations to vulnerable residents.

Cross-party cooperation and civic leadership roles

The governance of Haringey will now feature a significant degree of cross-party involvement. While the Greens lead the administration, the civic role of Mayor of Haringey has been taken by Cllr Dawn Barnes of the Liberal Democrat Group. Cllr Barnes, who was elected after a close vote supported by both Labour and Liberal Democrat members, will hold the position until May 2027. Cllr Makbule Gunes of the Labour Group has been confirmed as Deputy Mayor.

Scrutiny and planning functions will also be led by opposition parties, providing a system of checks and balances on the Green-led cabinet. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is chaired by Cllr Lucia das Neves of the Labour Group, while the Strategic Planning Committee is headed by Cllr Scott Emery of the Liberal Democrat Group. Cllr Blake stated that the current circumstances demand a spirit of cooperation between all parties to serve the interests of the people of Haringey effectively.

Source: Haringey Council