Havering residents get new council leadership

Havering Council has confirmed its new political administration after Reform UK’s win in the May local elections, with Councillor Keith Prince AM appointed Leader of the Council at the borough’s annual general meeting.

The decision sets the leadership team responsible for major local services across the London Borough of Havering, including finance, housing, highways, planning, regeneration, public realm and customer services.

Keith Prince confirmed as council leader

Councillor Keith Prince AM, who is also the London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge, will lead Havering Council under the new administration.

Prince said residents had voted for change and said the council would focus on “the basics”, including cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods, better value for taxpayers and stronger town centres.

He said the administration wanted to improve services residents rely on, naming highways, public realm, housing, regeneration and customer services among the areas of focus.

New Havering Council Cabinet roles

The confirmed Havering Council Cabinet includes Councillor Sue Benjamins as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance.

Councillor Sean McMahon will oversee Customer Services, Councillor Graham Day will cover Adults and Health, and Councillor Kevin Gill will take responsibility for Children.

Housing Allocations will be led by Councillor Martin Lardner, while Councillor Terry Brown will cover Planning and Public Protection. Councillor Robert Whitton has been appointed Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property.

Councillor Alex Sibley will oversee Highways, and Councillor Martynas Cekavicius will take responsibility for Public Realm.

Mayor and committee appointments

The annual meeting also appointed Councillor Maggie Themistocli, ward councillor for Hylands and Harrow Lodge, as Mayor of Havering. She replaces Councillor Sue Ospreay.

Councillor Christine Vickery, who represents Squirrels Heath ward, has been appointed Deputy Mayor.

Councillors also agreed appointments to committees that oversee and scrutinise council business, including Overview and Scrutiny and the Strategic Planning Committee, alongside Member Champion roles. The council said residents can find the full list of councillors and details of its decision-making structure on its website.

Source: London Borough of Havering