Mayor of Newham confirms Cabinet changes

The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, yesterday (November 2) confirmed two changes to her Cabinet team. Cllr Charlene McLean has been appointed Statutory Deputy Mayor, in addition to her existing role as Cabinet lead for Resident Engagement and Participation. Cllr Shaban Mohammed has been appointed Cabinet lead for Housing Services following his successful role as a Deputy Cabinet Member for this area. These changes replace Cllr John Gray as Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Lead for housing services.

Mayor Fiaz said: “Congratulations to Cllrs McLean and Mohammed on their appointments. At a time when we are dealing with the effects of the largest health crisis the world has ever faced – which has seen Newham’s residents disproportionately and unjustly impacted in terms of their health and their livelihoods – I am pleased to be working with a Cabinet team so deeply committed to ensuring that we seize every possible opportunity to move the borough forward.

“The scale of the challenge has never been greater – with Covid-19 already having had a devastating impact on Newham’s residents, businesses and the council’s budget, and a second lockdown to navigate. But together with my Cabinet, which I’m proud is one of the most diverse in the country, I am leading a hugely ambitious programme that sets out how we will improve residents’ lives now and well beyond the pandemic.

“Cabinet will this week consider our ‘Towards a Better Newham’ Covid-19 recovery and reorientation strategy, which demonstrates the scale of our ambition and shows how people will be at the heart of our work to improve the borough – from building new homes and improving existing ones, to supporting people’s health and wellbeing, and creating genuine opportunities for jobs and growth. I know that these two new appointments bring additional talent and expertise to the Cabinet, and I look forward to working with them, the rest of the Cabinet and the local community to make Newham a better place.”