THE team of Labour politicians who will run Brent Council over the next four years has been selected.

Councillor Ann John will be sworn in as leader in a meeting on Thursday, while Councillor Harbhajan Singh will become Brent mayor.

Responsibility for education will go to Councillor Mary Arnold (Kilburn) and Councillor Muhammed Butt (Tokyngton) is taking control of the authority's finances.

Councillor Ruth Moher will be responsible for adults, health and social care, while Councillor Bobby Thomas takes charge of housing and customer services.

Cllr John said she was pleased with her team, saying most had been shadowing their new positions under the old administration and the appointments were “more of less uncontested”.

She said: “As for our new members we've got a very exciting group. We've got our first Somali member, our first Sri Lankan member and our first Iraqi member.

“They bring a new perspective on what we are doing.”

The remaining executive appointments are:

  • Strategy and policy co-ordination: Ann John
  • Crime prevention and public safety: Lincoln Beswick
  • Environment, planning and culture: James Powney
  • Highways and transportation: Jim Moher
  • HR, diversity, local democracy and consultation: Leslie Jones
  • Regeneration and economic development: George Crane