HARLOW Council’s new leader and cabinet members have been appointed following the Annual Council meeting held last night (20 May 2021). 

Councillor Andrew Johnson (Conservative) has been elected Leader of Harlow Council following recent local elections which saw the Conservatives take control of the council.

This is the third time Councillor Johnson has lead the council having been joint leader of the council in 2002 to 2003 and leader from 2008 to 2012. 

Councillor Johnson, who will also lead on the town’s economic recovery, confirmed the following appointments to his cabinet, which will to help deliver the new council’s priorities:

Deputy Leader  and Portfolio Holder for Community Resilience                  Councillor Joel Charles

Portfolio Holder for Environment                                                                      Councillor Alastair Gunn

Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance                                                 Councillor Russell Perrin

Portfolio Holder for Housing                                                                             Councillor Simon Carter

Portfolio Holder for Regeneration                                                                     Councillor Dan Swords

Portfolio Holder for Strategic Growth                                                              Councillor Michael Hardware

Also attending cabinet will be councillors James Leppard, Nicky Purse, Matthew Saggers and Gareth Williams.

The new cabinet has one less portfolio holder than the previous cabinet which will save the council money. The first meeting of the new cabinet will take place on 17 June 2021. 

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “It is a privilege and an honour to be elected to lead this new council. The team I have appointed have the experience and skills to steer Harlow forward on the right path to a post-COVID future that puts supporting local businesses, town centre regeneration and strengthening community resilience first. The council will also pursue more ways to engage with the community, listening and responding to residents’ priorities. It is important to harness the kindness and community spirit seen during the lockdowns and channel that energy into developing a new vision for our town. I am looking forward to delivering what will be an ambitious programme of activity to create a better Harlow which we can all be proud of.

“At the forefront of my mind is the need to get on with Harlow’s economic recovery and build a town that is fit for current and future generations. Now is the time to work together and seize the opportunities that will build a lasting legacy of growth, inward investment and shared prosperity for Harlow.”

A video of last night’s meeting can be viewed on the council’s YouTube channel at