Brent residents to see focus on housing and safety as leader confirmed
Muhammed Butt has been re-elected as the Leader of Brent Council following the annual meeting held on Wednesday, May 20. Representing the Tokyngton ward, Cllr Butt’s appointment confirms the leadership structure for the borough following the local elections on May 7, 2026.
The current council composition sees the Labour Party as the largest group with 26 seats. The remainder of the chamber is divided among the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats with 11 seats each, and the Green Party with nine seats. Under this new mandate, the administration has identified four core pillars for the upcoming term: improving street cleanliness, enhancing neighborhood safety, increasing the supply of affordable homes, and ensuring economic opportunities are distributed fairly across Brent’s diverse communities.
Cabinet structure and executive responsibilities
The executive functions of the council will be managed by a newly confirmed Cabinet. Cllr Gwen Grahl assumes the role of Deputy Leader and will oversee the Finance and Resources portfolio. Cllr Butt will retain direct oversight of Adult Social Care in addition to his leadership duties.
The Cabinet is responsible for the strategic direction of the borough, including the allocation of resources and the development of local policy. The confirmed members include:
* Cllr Tina Amadi: Communities, Culture and Cost-of-Living Support
* Cllr Liz Dixon: Community Safety and Public Health
* Cllr Robert Johnson: Housing, Homelessness and Renters
* Cllr Matt Kelcher: Regeneration and Planning
* Cllr Promise Knight: Cleaner Streets, Transport and Public Realm
* Cllr Jake Rubin: Children’s Services, Employment and Climate Action
Regulatory committees and scrutiny functions
Beyond the executive Cabinet, the council confirmed appointments to various committees that handle statutory functions. These include the planning and licensing committees, which make quasi-judicial decisions on local developments and business operations. These roles are critical for the day-to-day regulation of the borough’s physical and commercial landscape.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the council also populated its Scrutiny Committees. These bodies are tasked with reviewing executive decisions and ensuring that council services meet the required standards. In accordance with local government legislation, these committee seats are allocated to reflect the political balance of the full council following the May election results. This structure is intended to facilitate robust debate and oversight of all council business during the new term.
Source: Brent Council
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