Greenwich Council sees changes to cabinet and opposition

Greenwich Council have today announced the appointment of Cllr Mariam Lolavar as the new lead for Business and Economic Growth in the borough.

The Greenwich Conservatives have also announced changes to the official opposition to the Labour authority, with three new faces in the Shadow Cabinet.

First elected in May 2018, Cllr Lolavar fills the post left vacant following Cllr Sizwe James' resignation as a cabinet member.

Cllr Lolavar, the latest addition to Greenwich Council's cabinet

A representative of Blackheath Westcombe ward, her role will focus on ensuring the borough is in the best position to build back from the pandemic as we begin to re-open.

Cllr Lolavar said: "I am delighted to have been appointed as lead for Business and Economic Growth.

"Despite testing times ahead, I look forward to supporting local businesses to get back on their feet and see our high streets thriving again."

Councillor Danny Thorpe, the Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, added: "I am thrilled that Cllr Lolavar is joining our cabinet, and I am sure she is going to do an amazing job representing our borough.

"This will be a challenging period for our economy, but I look forward to working together to guide the Royal Borough of Greenwich back to normality."

Large parts of the Opposition will remain unchanged, with Cllr Nigel Fletcher remaining as leader, Cllr Charlie Davis the deputy and Cllr Geoff Brighty the chief whip.

The new additions to Greenwich's shadow cabinet are as follows:

• Councillor Charlie Davis takes on the Finance portfolio in addition to Regeneration

• Councillor Matt Hartley becomes spokesperson for Health, Adult Social Care and Anti-Poverty

• Councillor Roger Tester becomes Spokesperson for Community Safety and Enforcement

The full Opposition to Greenwich Council

In addition, the Conservatives have appointed two new Group Special Assistants from outside the Council to support the Group in its work on behalf of residents.

Andrea Borbely and Naveed Mughal will support efforts to engage with communities across the Borough, and undertake specific projects to review Council policies and examine alternatives, in conjunction with relevant Group spokespeople.

Cllr Fletcher commented: "I'm delighted to announce these changes, which strengthen the Council Group in the run-up to next year's elections.

"I'm particularly pleased to welcome Andrea and Naveed to their new roles, supporting the Group with a number of special projects.

"Both are excellent community champions, and fought great campaigns in their recent by-elections. I have been hugely impressed by them, and know they will both have a lot to contribute in the future.

"They join the wider Greenwich Conservatives team, which already includes our other two recent by-election candidates, Federation Deputy Chairman Daniel McGinley and Branch Chairman Ben Crompton."