Roles of the Leader, Cabinet and council staff

The Leader

The Leader of the council is the councillor who leads the largest political group elected in the council.

Our current Leader is Councillor Anthony Okereke.

The Leader is the most senior member of the Council. They:

  • lead the decision-making process
  • direct strategic policy and budget setting
  • chair the Cabinet and appoint its members
  • assign portfolios to individual Cabinet Members to look after

The council appoints a Leader at the first annual meeting after the borough-wide elections.

The Cabinet

The Cabinet is made up of senior councillors who decide our strategic management and policy development.

Each Cabinet Member is responsible for the development of policy in their portfolio. This includes bringing up proposals to make key decisions at a Cabinet meeting.

Find out how to view council meeting papers and minutes

Current Cabinet portfolio

The Labour Party holds the majority of seats in the borough, which makes them the majority group.

  • Anthony Okereke – Leader of the Council
  • Averil Lekau – Deputy Leader, also Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport
  • Adel Khaireh – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
  • Majid Rahman – Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development
  • Sandra Bauer – Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities
  • Denise Hyland – Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value
  • Jackie Smith – Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business, Skills and Greenwich Supports
  • Mariam Lolavar – Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Borough of Sanctuary
  • Pat Slattery – Cabinet Member for Housing Management, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness
  • Rachel Taggart-Ryan – Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement

The Conservative Party holds the next highest number of seats and is known as the majority opposition party.

The Leader of the Opposition (Conservatives) is Councillor Matt Hartley.

Find your ward and local councillors

Council staff

Council employees are, also known as council officers. They:

  • give advice to elected members and residents
  • carry out decisions
  • manage the day-to-day delivery of our services

Some officers have a specific duty to make sure the council acts within the law and uses its resources wisely.