Harlow Council leader unveils new cabinet
Harlow Council / Tue 30th May 2023 at 07:54am
A RENEWED focus on serving the people of Harlow is the top priority for Councillor Dan Swords who has been elected the new Leader of Harlow Council.
Councillor Swords was confirmed as the new leader of the council at the Annual Council meeting on 25 May 2023.
In his first speech to councillors, Councillor Dan Swords said it was the greatest honour to be elected as leader, he said:
“For those few of us here tonight, this is a special occasion, a momentous meeting and yet in the history of our town, and for our town’s people, it is a common occurrence.
“That is why this moment is not about the office of the Leader of the Council, nor its current custodian. It is about our town and the people we are here to serve.
“So it is in that spirit that we will govern. We will take decisions not in our political interest, but in the interest of Harlow. In the interest of our town, the businesses, the charities, the faith and community groups, the people of today and generations of tomorrow. We are here to deliver for them. That is our sole objective and that is what we shall do.”
The leader has made the following appointments to his cabinet:
Councillor David Carter
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing
Councillor Nicky Purse
Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Environment
Councillor James Leppard
Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance
Councillor Stacy Seales
Portfolio Holder for Community
Councillor Michael Hardware
Portfolio Holder for Economic Development
The leader of the council will take on the responsibility for regeneration of the town.
Councillor Swords, said:
“I have appointed an experienced group of councillors in my cabinet, and we will work together with council staff to serve the residents of this town. That work starts now, and I passionately believe that Harlow’s brightest days lie ahead. I am determined to make Harlow Council a better organisation which delivers on its residents’ priorities. I will work hard to restore pride in our town, rebuild Harlow Town Centre and make Harlow an even greater place to live, work and visit.
“In the coming weeks and months, the council will be increasing its engagement and talking and listening to residents, businesses and organisations to ensure that it delivers for them and for our town.”
Kim Oconnor
2023-05-30 08:37:51
Sadly to little to late, for frends of Latton lsland, Aliance party, and many other groups of people, who fought to save our river stort valley, and our boarders from thousands and thousands of unaffordable housing estates. Spoiling the look of our Harlow and the environment. You never heard or listened to the 6,000 signatures against this, all most a 1,000 from Aliance, or out side villages. And many other groups, stop Harlow north. You did not listen. But oh you want to listen to residents now, that every thing from theses monstrosity are signed and sealed. To little to late. You never considered the pressure s on Harlow s services. You never considered the damage to the environment. You never considered the 5,000 people waiting on homes, that will not afford theses rabbit hutches. You never considered the infrastructure. Destroying ecosystems. Destroying wildlife habitat s. You never even considered other alternatives. And lastly you did not want to see us. But you want to listen now. 😂
Jake Shepherd
2023-05-30 08:43:21
I wish Cllr Swords the best of luck and agree that all members (and I tend to find they do) act in Harlow's interest rather than their own or their party's interest. The one small comment I'll make is that Harlow has had over 70 years of trailblazing innovation and so I simply can't agree that our best days lay ahead (I think there are some very exciting developments on course for Harlow, and the garden town partnership is genuinely innovating - but I am not sure how we'd beat the discovery of fibreoptics in this century - although we do have a supercomputer in town, so maybe we'll make a breakthrough in quantum computing?). It's not simply a choice between Harlow of the last century or this one, Harlow is a place which continues to evolve to meet the needs of each generation - I think we need to resist this undercurrent of 'Make Harlow Great Again' (although the Conservatives have been known to employ Trump tactics nationally)... Thank you to all the Councillors who serve Harlow (and of course the amazing Officers and Council Staff) and to the public who continue to engage with local government.
Johnny
2023-05-30 10:36:59
The best of luck to you my goodness what a job sorting out Harlow! I'd run a mile!😆
Jenny
2023-05-30 10:57:13
I agree wholeheartedly with Kim OConnor. It's too late.
gary roberts
2023-05-30 14:23:07
Did you hear Cllr. Swords the first time he said that as deputy leader and then walked away stating the complete opposite? Yes so did I. Another case of warm words and BS taken I am sure from his mentor who repeatably states he works hard for Harlow. Even the so called hospital will turn out to be a myth made when the rest of the nonsense fails to impress. I have stopped trying to improve my area because of personal issues but so has this council and its leaders. The people of my community as shown at their fete in an earlier video deserve better but have been let down many times and I suspect, sadly, that will not change.
Bob
2023-05-30 15:00:22
I'm going on the back benches and then changed my mind. Need to explain that. Not sure how long they will last. Lots of promises but no delivery
Tony WIseman
2023-05-30 16:10:37
Yes Gary Roberts, I too remember Cllr Swords tendering his notice not long after he had been elected! Can Cllr Swords please explain when he changed his mind and why he did not announce it or is his appointment only a temporary position, again?
Dan Long
2023-05-30 18:04:10
I dont trust him.He is another lying leader of Harlow council. Full of broken promises. And no, I'm not a leftie Labour supporter.
AB
2023-05-30 18:54:41
Sadly some of these cabinet members notoriously refused to listen to Harlow people and supported the destruction of the Stort Valley. Let's hope Cllr Swords can ensure they listen to Harlow people now, and prioritise our interests.
Luke Burton
2023-05-30 22:42:17
Why does this article read like a propaganda piece by the Conservative party? I do wish YourHarlow will emphasise that "A RENEWED focus on serving the people of Harlow is the top priority for Councillor Dan Swords" is a quote from Cllr Swords or his press office and not the Editor's opinion - or if it is, at least make your political views clear to your readers.
Mickey
2023-05-31 07:46:39
Another comment gone. Just sort out Nick Churchill. Look at the proof he lied to the police.
Steven Michael Crewe
2023-05-31 17:58:01
Mickey I have proof he lied to the police ,and I am waiting for the police to get back to me . Either that or the police lied to me .
12 Comments for Harlow Council leader unveils new cabinet: