A NEW Slough Mayor, deputy, and cabinet members have been announced in the leader’s reshuffle.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir (Lab: Baylis and Stoke), who was the lead member for housing and community safety, will become Mayor for the 2021/22 municipal year.

Slough Observer: Cllr Mohammed NazirCllr Mohammed Nazir (Image: Slough Borough Council)

Cllr Dilbagh Parmar (Lab: Cippenham Meadows) will become his deputy.

As Cllr Nazir has been recommended to become Mayor, the leader of the council, councillor James Swindlehurst, has recommended Cllr Christine Hulme (Lab: Central) to be promoted to a cabinet role of children’s services, lifelong learning and skills.

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The children’s services portfolio was once held by councillor Martin Carter (Britwell and Northborough) but is now in charge of customer services and corporate support.

Cllr Sabia Akram (Elliman) has kept her deputy role and is now in charge of leisure, culture, and communities.

Cllr Pavitar K. Mann will be responsible for housing, while Cllr Balvinder Bains will take over the portfolios of regulation and public protection.

Portfolios have reshuffled, while new ones have been created in ‘response’ to Slough’s needs.

The Cabinet for 2021/22 is as follows:

  • Cllr James Swindlehurst, Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Financial Governance, Economic Development & Council Plans
  • Cllr Sabia Akram, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Leisure, Culture & Communities
  • Cllr Rob Anderson, Cabinet member for Sustainable Transport & The Environment
  • Cllr Martin Carter, Cabinet member for Customer Services & Corporate Support
  • Cllr Pavitar K. Mann, Cabinet member for Housing, Highways, Planning & Place
  • Cllr Christine Hulme, Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Lifelong Learning & Skills
  • Cllr Natasa Pantelic, Cabinet member for Social Care and Public Health
  • Cllr Balvinder Bains, Cabinet member for Regulation and Public Protection

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Cllr Swindlehurst said: “The Labour Group met this week immediately after the local elections and against a backdrop of patchy results for the party nationally, Slough had once again bucked the trend, winning 11 out of the 14 seats up for election.

"With seven new candidates being elected into the Labour Group we have a significantly refreshed team with nearly a fifth of our Group being new councillors.

"Having drawn together new Cabinet portfolios and welcoming Cllr Christine Hulme to the Cabinet, the Labour Group and its lead members will now be working over the next 12 months to take our town forward and secure its economic recovery after the covid pandemic.

“When I joined the Council, I was advised by colleagues that potential Mayor’s should be judged against the criteria of suitability, seniority and service. In nominating Cllr Nazir and his deputy, I am confident that both have the attributes to serve the town well and follow in this tradition.”