Expanded Ealing Lib Dem Group Juggles Portfolio Roles

One councillor has AI added to his brief

The Liberal Democrat group on Ealing Council

January 7, 2025

With its numbers expanded due to a by election win, the Liberal Democrat group in Ealing has undertaken a reorganisation of portfolio roles.

The new year review was led by Councillor Gary Malcolm and includes a strengthened focus on local and national challenges including increased Anti-Social Behaviour (evident in West Ealing, Acton, Hanwell and Perivale), Artificial Intelligence (a potential assistant to secure effective/efficient services) as well as Adult and Children’s social care. The latter are critical services across the borough and account for a significant amount of council spending each year.

The official opposition now has an extra member following Jonathan Oxley’s victory in Hanger Hill Ward and he has been made spokesperson on matters relating to children. His brief covers Education, Children's Services, Special Educational Needs, Fostering and Looked After Children.

Councillor Gary Busuttil, the Deputy Leader and Whip, who last year was given the brief to cover ‘Council Honesty’ now adds oversight of Artificial Intelligence at the council to add to responsibilities for IT and performance.

Cllr Malcolm has the transport role and Cllr Connie Hersch retains responsibility for Crime, Anti-Social Behaviour, Communities and Regeneration.

Cllr Jon Ball will look after Housing, Development, the Local Plan and Licensing while Cllr Athena Zissimos takes care of Environment, Streets, Parks and Climate Change. Councillor Andrew Steed has the Adults’ Services brief which includes Social Care, Jobs, Adult Education, Training and Skills, Mental Health and Disabilities.

Cllr Oxley said, “As a new Liberal Democrat Councillor, I welcome the responsibility of scrutinising the council in this area. I have two children myself and am keen to ensure that the council is managing and ensuring appropriate service provision. We are concerned that the council means to close children centres across the borough reducing access to critical services and impacting families at this difficult time. Liberal Democrats will stand up for parents and their children.”

Cllr Steed added, “The Ealing Liberal Democrats are concerned that Labour-run Ealing council are looking to reduce adult services to save money by closing the essential service centres of Michael Flanders, Cowgate and the Solace Centre. There is a consultation underway which we believe will result in these sites being repurposed as building sites. It is disappointing to see given that adult social services is in crisis and that the new government has decided to ‘kick the can down the road’ for another three years with stalling tactics. This is despite the Fabian Society publishing a report over two years ago on this matter (before the general election) and social care featuring prominently in the manifesto on which the new government was elected.”