Slough's new political administration has been appointed following the 2023 local elections on May 4.

Slough Borough Council has made the announcement, which includes the appointment of the new Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Leader of the Council and Cabinet, following the Annual Council meeting which took place last night (Thursday, May 18).

Each year, at the Annual Council meeting, councillors elect a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the coming 2023/24 municipal year.

It has now been announced that the new Mayor of Slough is Councillor Amjad Abbasi, who represents the Liberal Democrats in the Elliman Ward.

Councillor Balwinder S Dhillon of the Conservative Party in Upton Ward has been elected as Deputy Mayor.

On their Facebook page, the Conservative Party said: "Cllr Abbasi is a Liberal Democrat, and with our cooperation agreement, we have fully backed his election as Mayor.

"Cllr Dhillion is elected as Deputy Mayor has been a councillor previously and fully understands his role and responsibilities."

The elected leader of the council has been named as Councillor Dexter Smith (Con, Colnbrook and Poyle) with responsibility for Improvement and Recovery.

Cllr Smith has chosen the following members as his Cabinet:

  • Councillor Wal Chahal (Con, Langley Marish) – Deputy Leader of the Council and lead member for financial oversight, council assets, procurement, and revenues and benefits
  • Councillor Paul Kelly (Con, Haymill) – lead member for education, children’s services, lifelong skills and governance
  • Councillor Anna Wright (Con, Haymill) – lead member for health, social care and wellbeing
  • Councillor Iftakhar Ahmed (Con, Wexham Court) – lead member for leisure, community cohesion, regulation, enforcement and planning
  • Councillor Puja Bedi (Con, Colnbrook and Poyle) – lead member for transport, housing, highways, the environment and environmental services
  • Councillor Chandra Muvvala (Con, Langley Marish) – lead member for public protection, customer service, IT and Young Futures.

The Conservative Party added: "This time round, the leader proposed a cabinet of seven members, this was done to lower costs.

"All these councillors have expertise in their specific positions and with that we will be able to rescue Slough.

"All councillors look forward in creating a better and brighter Slough."

Appointments were also made to the council’s committees and representatives on outside bodies. 

The recommended updates to the council's constitution were also approved which incorporate new scrutiny arrangements.