New council leader hails mandate for positive change

Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh welcomes "dawn of a new era"

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has a new leader, mayor and cabinet following its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 24 May.

The new Leader, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, welcomed his election by saying, "This is the dawn of a new era in Hammersmith & Fulham, we have an unprecedented mandate from the people for real positive change.
Putting residents first will be at the heart of everything we do. Lower taxes, less waste and better services are now at the top of this council's agenda."

Cllr Greenhalgh, who lives and works in the Town ward, has been a Hammersmith & Fulham Councillor for more than 10 years and also runs his own medical publishing, research and communications company on Burlington Road. He is a member of the Fulham Society and is married with an 18 month old toddler.

"We're committed to lowering council tax and providing quality, value for money services,"
continues Cllr Greenhalgh. "We want a cleaner, greener environment and improved standards in schools. We're committed to protecting the most vulnerable in society and will work to cut crime with high visibility, zero tolerance policing. There's a lot of work to do in the coming months and years but we're looking forward to the challenge."

At the meeting Cllr Greenhalgh also announced his new cabinet. The core team will consist of:
Cllr Nicholas Botterill (Deputy Leader & Environment); Cllr Frances Stainton (Chief Whip & Regeneration); Cllr Alexandra Robson (Education); Cllr Adronie Alford (Housing); Cllr Antony Lillis (Health & Social Services); Cllr Mark Loveday (Strategy); Cllr Greg Smith (Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour).

The newly elected mayor, Palace Riverside ward councillor, Councillor Minnie Scott Russell, said, "To be elected as mayor is a great honour. My predecessor Charlie Treloggan has dedicated the last three years of his life to being mayor and he's going to be a hard act to follow."

The new mayor has lived in the borough for five years and is actively involved in the local community. She is a member of the Fulham Society, a friend of The Royal Marsden and chaired various committees including the largest fundraising committee for Save the Children Fund and the Royal British Legion. Minnie is also a mother of four and a school governor.

The Mayor concludes, "I am passionate about care for the elderly and feel that those who helped this country through the struggles of the past should never feel excluded, frightened or lonely. They are valuable members of the community. As Mayor I'm looking forward to getting out and about and meeting more people from our fantastic borough."

The choice of cabinet was endorsed by the AGM and a shake up of overview and scrutiny committees was also announced. Please click on www.lbhf.gov.uk for more information.

May 25, 2006