Haringey’s new Labour leader set out his ambitions for an administration that works “for the many, not the few” as he was elected council leader last night (May 24).
Cllr Joseph Ejiofor said his election marked a “change of direction and emphasis” as he sought to show a radical break between his left-wing agenda and the policies of the previous administration.
He said the council would aim to provide services itself rather than in partnership with the private sector – an ambition underlined by the creation of a cabinet post responsible for insourcing.
The new leader said: “We want to build our own homes on our own land. We want to deliver the new, high-quality affordable homes residents need. We want to ensure any new development will include a significant proportion of affordable housing.
“We want to protect the rights of tenants and create opportunities for homebuyers to purchase genuinely affordable homes.”
Cllr Ejiofor said regeneration should not just be about “shiny new buildings” but about more jobs and community assets – and that it should be undertaken with the consent of residents.
He promised to listen to the “diverse voices in the borough” and create a fairness commission that would help the council understand what residents need.
The new leader also pledged to tackle crime and ensure that the current spike in gun and gang violence was “arrested and alleviated”.
Cllr Ejiofor, who has been a councillor for 17 years in Newham and Haringey, described the moment of his election as the pinnacle of his political career so far.
He thanked outgoing leader Claire Kober, who stepped down before the local elections amid a political storm over the council’s housing policy.
The new leader – who is a member of left-wing pressure group Momentum – said that while they did not always see eye to eye, he “never doubted that she was Labour to the core”.
He added: “I am committed to represent Haringey with the pride, conviction and determination that the borough deserves.
“Haringey is our home, and we are proud of it. This is a borough that people from every ethnic and social background and from all walks of life choose to make their home.
“I am committed to championing the rights and needs of all Haringey residents.”
Noel Park councillor Emine Ibrahim was confirmed as deputy council leader and cabinet member for housing and estate renewal.
The rest of the cabinet is as follows:
Cabinet member for adults and health – Cllr Peray Ahmet
Cabinet member for children, education and families – Cllr Elin Weston
Cabinet member for civic services – Cllr Zena Brabazon
Cabinet member for communities, safety and engagement – Cllr Mark Blake
Cabinet member for corporate services and insourcing – Cllr Noah Tucker
Cabinet member for environment – Cllr Kirsten Hearn
Cabinet member for finance – Cllr Patrick Berryman
Cabinet member for strategic regeneration – Cllr Charles Adje
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