AT last night’s Annual Council meeting, Cllr Dan Swords was re-elected as the Leader of Harlow Council for the year ahead. He also set out his plan for the year ahead and announced his Cabinet which he said was ‘vital to delivering our six missions’. 

Setting out his plan, Cllr Dan Swords said:

“I want Harlow to be the most transformative and impactful local authority in the country. One that truly changes lives – boldly, unapologetically, and with purpose. We are not here to manage decline with a shrug and a spreadsheet – we are here to lead the glorious rebirth of one of Britain’s most iconic New Towns.”

The plan details the council’s six missions to ‘build Harlow’s future’ which are:

• Transform our council
• Rebuild our town
• Invest in our housing
• Renew our neighbourhoods
• Secure our future
• Protect our communities

The Leader made the following appointments to the Cabinet:

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing – Cllr David Carter

Cabinet Member for Environment – Cllr Nicky Purse

Cabinet Member for Finance – Cllr James Leppard

Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Transformation – Cllr Hannah Ellis

Cabinet Member for Planning and Garden Town – Cllr Alastair Gunn

Cabinet Member for Public Protection – Cllr Joel Charles

Cabinet Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution – Cllr Michael Hardware

Cabinet Member for Culture and Community – Cllr Danielle Brown

Commenting on his re-election and Cabinet appointments, Cllr Dan Swords said:

“It is the honour of my life to be the Leader of Harlow Council, and we are working around the clock to deliver for Harlow. For too long our town was let down by poor leadership, we’re putting that right with our plan to build Harlow’s future and six missions to deliver on our promises.

“I have appointed an excellent Cabinet who will be resolutely focussed on transforming our council, rebuilding our town, investing in our housing, renewing our neighbourhoods, securing our future and protecting our communities. Now, it’s back to work.”