'We are not here to manage decline:' Peterborough City Council leader announces new Cabinet

Councillor Shabina Qayyum, who remains Leader of the Council, announced her new look Cabinet at this year’s Annual Council meeting.

The Labour leader said the new Cabinet was “built on three clear principles: strong leadership and accountability; collaboration and shared responsibility, and a clear focus on delivery for residents.”

The Cabinet’s job is to run council services and ensure best value is delivered. Cabinet members are responsible for implementing policies, delivering services, approving new policies (other than major policies), playing a leadership role and generally promoting the economic, environmental and social well-being of the city.

The cabinet in full

The appointments show several key members are carrying on their roles from the previous year.

Cllr Neil Boyce – who is now Deputy Leader – retains his portfolio for Adult Services; Cllr Mohammed Jamil remains Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Governance, and Cllr Katy Cole stays as portfolio holder for Children and Young People.

However, there has also been some subtle shuffling. Amended Cabinet roles include:

Cllr Angus Ellis, now Cabinet Member for Transport,

Cllr Christian Hogg, now Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Enforcement,

Cllr Zameer Ali, who is now Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Safety.

Elsewhere, new Cabinet portfolios were given to:

Cllr Chris Wiggin, Cabinet Member for Environment,

Cllr Numan Ali Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration,

Cllr Ann Shaheed, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Homelessness and Poverty.

In addition, two Cabinet advisory roles were appointed to Cllr Kevin Tighe (Cabinet Advisor for Growth and Regeneration) and Cllr Jade Seagar (Cabinet Advisor for Environment).

“We will only succeed if we work together"

Cllr Qayyum said the Cabinet and council face “significant challenges,” and that “we are not here to manage decline.”

“This Cabinet will focus relentlessly on the priorities that matter most: protecting vital frontline services, driving economic growth and jobs, supporting our most vulnerable residents, improving the environment and the places people call home, and ensuring we are open, transparent, and accountable in everything we do.”

Cllr Qayyum was also keen to point out that “leadership is not just about those sitting around the Cabinet table.”

“It is about every councillor in this chamber, officers across the organisation, and partners across our city,” she said.

“We will only succeed if we work together, listen to each other, and stay focused on what really matters — the people we serve