Emma Supple will take on the ceremonial role of mayor while a ten-strong group of Conservative councillors will form the civic centre’s decision-making cabinet
The new Conservative administration at Enfield Council has confirmed its new leadership team and mayor.
Council leader Alessandro Georgiou, who was voted into office last night (Wednesday 27th) to lead a minority administration following the election earlier this month, has brought in ex-council leader Michael Rye OBE to be his deputy.
Cllr Rye led the council from 2002 to 2010, the last time the Tories were in power in Enfield. As well as being Cllr Georgiou’s deputy, he will now lead on planning and regeneration within the ten-strong cabinet.
Joining Cllr Georgiou and Cllr Rye are fellow cabinet members James Hockney (finance), Maria Alexandrou (environment), Chris Dey (children’s services), Lee Chamberlain (housing and technology), Andy Milne (adult social care), Edward Smith (council assets and culture), Elisa Morreale (licensing) and Andrew Thorp (communications and customer service).
In addition, Town ward councillor Emma Supple has been elected as Enfield’s new mayor.
The local podiatrist and 2nd Enfield Brownies leader will serve in the ceremonial role as the borough’s ‘first citizen’ for a one-year term, with Southgate councillor Chris Joannides becoming deputy mayor.
Cllr Georgiou said: “It is a real privilege to serve this borough, and I want to thank residents for the trust they have placed in us.
“We have been elected on a clear mandate to deliver the reliable services residents need and deserve, create a cleaner borough, and protect the green spaces that make Enfield such a great place to live.
“As we deliver on these promises, we will keep residents informed and involved throughout, with good governance and complete transparency underpinning everything we do.”
The Tories won 31 seats in the election on Thursday, 7th May, which was one short of a majority. At last night’s annual meeting, following weeks of talks between the parties, the new Green group on the council decided to abstain on the key council leadership vote, allowing the Conservatives to form a minority administration.
It officially ended 16 years of Labour control at Enfield Civic Centre.
At the same meeting, Cllr Supple was sworn in as the new mayor of Enfield, replacing Labour’s Margaret Greer in the role.
Cllr Supple said: “It is an absolute honour to be elected to serve and celebrate Enfield’s wonderful communities, businesses and organisations.
“I am looking forward to being an ambassador for everything that makes Enfield great, from our vibrant town centres to our beautiful green spaces, and a champion for the local businesses and organisations that help our borough to thrive.”
In nominating Cllr Supple for mayor, Cllr Georgiou said she was “built for the role” and added that, as a podiatrist, she would “put her best foot forward”.
Throughout the year, the mayor and deputy mayor will attend hundreds of engagements.
In addition, Perrez Ampofo (aged 16) is Enfield’s new young mayor and Omari Green (aged 17) is the new deputy young mayor. They will help the council work more closely with young people and represent young voices in the borough.
In her farewell speech, outgoing mayor Cllr Greer said: “To the residents of Enfield, thank you for your kindness and the welcome you have shown me throughout the year.
“It has been a privilege to meet you, hear your stories and celebrate your spirit that makes our borough so unique.”
Local news needs your support
We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
ACT NOW!
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or yearly
More Information about donations
Enjoying Enfield Dispatch? You can help support our not-for-profit newspaper and website from £5 per month.