Muhammed Butt to lead Brent with focus on housing and safer streets

Councillor Muhammed Butt has been elected Leader of Brent Council during the local authority’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening. Representing the Tokyngton ward, Cllr Butt’s appointment follows the local elections held on 7 May, which established a diverse political landscape for the borough.

The current council composition sees the Labour Party as the largest group with 26 councillors. The remaining seats are divided between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, who hold 11 seats each, and the Green Party with nine representatives. This distribution follows recent election results that left the council in a state of no overall control, requiring a collaborative approach to governance.

Policy priorities for the new administration

In his acceptance speech, Cllr Butt outlined a mandate centered on tangible improvements to local infrastructure and public safety. The administration has identified cleaner streets, safer neighborhoods, and the delivery of affordable housing as its primary objectives for the upcoming term.

The Leader emphasized a commitment to ensuring that economic opportunities are shared more equitably across Brent’s diverse communities. Cllr Butt, who was born and raised in the borough, stated that the focus will remain on addressing the issues that residents prioritize most in their daily lives.

Cabinet members and executive responsibilities

The executive team responsible for setting the council’s strategic direction has been confirmed. Cllr Gwen Grahl will serve as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources. Cllr Butt will also personally oversee the Adult Social Care portfolio.

The broader Cabinet includes:
* Cllr Tina Amadi: Communities, Culture and Cost-of-Living Support
* Cllr Liz Dixon: Community Safety and Public Health
* Cllr Robert Johnson: Housing, Homelessness and Renters
* Cllr Matt Kelcher: Regeneration and Planning
* Cllr Promise Knight: Cleaner Streets, Transport and Public Realm
* Cllr Jake Rubin: Children’s Services, Employment and Climate Action

Political balance and committee oversight

In addition to executive roles, the council confirmed appointments for planning, licensing, and scrutiny committees. These positions are distributed according to political balance legislation to reflect the 2026 election outcome.

These committees are designed to provide robust scrutiny of executive decisions and manage the statutory functions of the local authority. Residents can access the full agenda and a recording of the meeting through the official council portal to review the specific appointments for their respective wards.

Source: Brent Council