THE decision-makers on the council were appointed this evening at a lively ceremony at the Town Hall.

In front of a packed audience of local dignitaries and invited guests at the Assembly Hall, in Forest Road, Walthamstow, Cllr Chris Robbins was formally nominated and elected as council leader, despite opposition Conservative councillors abstaining from the vote.

Cllr Robbins revealed his eight-member cabinet as Cllr Afzal Akram, Cllr Liaquat Ali, Cllr Marie Pye, Cllr Geraldine Reardon, Cllr Saima Mahmud and former council leader Clyde Loakes, all former cabinet members, as well as Wood Street ward councillor Angie Bean.

Labour councillor Terry Wheeler lost his responsibility for enterprise and investment, and Lib Dems Naheed Qureshi and Liz Phillips lost their place on the all-Labour cabinet following the end of the Lib Dem/Lab coalition.

The roles of the new cabinet have not yet been confirmed, but will be in the next few days.

Cllr Robbins criticised the Conservative councillors for trying to cut short his speech after he exceeded the usual three minutes allocated at meetings, as he outlined his priorities for the coming four-year term as education, policing, and the Olympics.

Leader of the Conservatives, Cllr Matt Davis responded: “It is a shame you didn't really outline any priorities in detail. There's very little we will be able to measure you against because you haven't promised anything.”

Lib Dem leader Cllr Bob Sullivan said he was concerned there was no mention of regeneration by the council leader, in particular the Arcade site, Walthamstow Stadium, former EMD cinema and Pool and Track in Walthamstow.

The out-going Mayor, councillor Anna Mbachu was commended for her achievements in the last year, including raising £32,000 for Whipps Cross University Hospital's Big Push appeal for the maternity unit, undertaking 365 visits and inspiring young people as the first black female Mayor in the borough.

Cllr Masood Ahmad was elected as the new Mayor for the coming year.

The incoming Mayor said: “It is a great honour for me to take up this office. I will try my best with the help of my wife and family and will fulfil all your expectations.

“I will help to promote the image of Waltham Forest. It is very important. We need to promote it as a place worth living and working. We have lots of communities living here in harmony, and I'm proud of that.”

Conservative councillor Geoff Walker was elected Deputy Mayor.

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