Ealing Council Cabinet Reshuffle Following General Election
Three councillors likely to stand down after becoming MPs
Left to right: Cllr Paul Driscoll, Cllr Peter Mason, Cllr Louise Brett
July 11, 2024
Ealing Council has seen a reshuffle of its cabinet and changes to its leadership team after the election of one of its members to parliament.
The victory of Northolt Mandeville councillor Deirdre Costigan in Ealing Southall created a vacancy for deputy leader and her cabinet position.
Councillor Louise Brett has been appointed as the new deputy leader, while Cllr Paul Driscoll joins the cabinet as portfolio holder for climate action.
Callum Anderson, who is a councillor in South Acton first elected in 2022, also won for Labour in Buckingham and Bletchley. He did not hold a cabinet position on Ealing Council.
The Leader of Ealing Council, Peter Mason paid tribute to Cllr Costigan and welcomed Cllrs Brett and Driscoll to their new roles.
He said, “I want to thank Cllr Deirdre Costigan for her hard work over the last 3 years as deputy leader and as cabinet member for climate action, particularly for her central role on delivering our hugely successful bike hanger and school street projects, and on the unveiling of our plans to fulfil the historic ambition for a regional park.
“I’d like to congratulate Cllr Louise Brett in her additional role as our newly appointed deputy leader, and Cllr Paul Driscoll, who will lead on addressing one of our key priorities, fighting the climate crisis.
“We all look forward to working with them both as we continue to deliver on the priorities set out in our council plan.”
Speaking about her new leadership role, Cllr Brett said, “I’m looking forward to taking on this new leadership role, alongside my portfolio work, ensuring our residents have access to safe, secure, and genuinely affordable homes, as well as continuing to work closely with my colleagues in cabinet and the wider organisation to continue to deliver on our priorities of creating good jobs, fighting the climate crisis, and tackling inequality.”
Following his appointment, Cllrl Driscoll said, “I am delighted to be appointed as the new cabinet member for climate action. This portfolio is focused on one of the defining issues of our time. I’m particularly looking forward to building on our to commitment to improving active travel in the borough through investing at least £10million to increase cycling, walking, running, and scooting.
“I look forward to working with colleagues and the community to continue to deliver on our council plan priorities.”
Conservative Gregory Stafford who represents the Hanger Hill ward narrowly won in Farnham & Bordon, a constituency that straddles Hampshire and Surrey. Cllr Stafford was Leader of the Conservative Group in Ealing until the party gained fewer seats than the Liberal Democrats at the last local elections. His brother Alexander, who had also served as a councillor in Ealing, failed to be re-elected for Rother Valley.
There is no requirement for councillors to stand down having been elected as an MP, but it is thought likely that three by-elections be held after the summer holidays.
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