New Speaker Cllr Jahed Choudhury
The borough’s new Speaker and Deputy have been confirmed following the Council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), which took place at the new Whitechapel Town Hall on Wednesday 17 May 2023.
Cllr Jahed Choudhury, who represents Lansbury ward was elected as the borough’s new Speaker. The new Deputy Speaker is Cllr Saif Uddin Khaled, who is a councillor for the Bromley North ward.
Speaking in the council chamber after his election, the new Speaker said: “It is an honour to know that colleagues are placing their faith in me to be an ambassador for Tower Hamlets, a place I’ve called my home for 40 years, and I’m really proud to live here.
He added: “Today I stand before you as the newly elected Speaker of Tower Hamlets, humbled and grateful for the faith you have placed in me, thank you very much.”
Speaker Choudhury has confirmed that his chosen charities for the year ahead will be St Joseph’s Hospice and Eden Care, charities that provide compassionate care and support for people with life limiting illness.
At the AGM Mayor Lutfur Rahman and councillors from all parties gave their own tributes to the outgoing Speaker, Cllr Shafi Ahmed.
There was also confirmation on some changes to current cabinet portfolios and chairs of a number of key council committees.
There have been two changes to the current Cabinet. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, who previously served as Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth, is now the lead member for Safer Communities. Cllr Abdul Wahid joins the Cabinet as lead member for Jobs, Skills and Growth.
The updated cabinet portfolios and lead members are:
Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning - Cllr Maium Talukdar
Resources and the Cost of Living - Cllr Saied Ahmed
Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding - Cllr Kabir Ahmed
Environment and the Climate Emergency - Cllr Kabir Hussain
Health, Wellbeing and Social Care - Cllr Gulam Kibria Choudhury
Jobs, Skills and Growth - Cllr Abdul Wahid
Equalities and Social Inclusion - Cllr Suluk Ahmed
Safer Communities - Cllr Abu Talha Choudhury
Culture and Recreation - Cllr Iqbal Hossain
The Chairs of a number of key committees are also confirmed:
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Cllr Musthak Ahmed
Development Committee - Cllr Kamrul Hussain
Strategic Development Committee - Cllr Amin Rahman
General Purposes Committee - Cllr Shafi Ahmed
Audit Committee – Cllr Harun Miah
Pensions Committee - Cllr Ahmodul Kabir
Licensing Committee - Cllr Ana Miah
Human Resources Committee - Cllr Bellal Uddin
Posted on Friday 19th May 2023